Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Train travel and lone locking

22nd September

I travelled back from Newbury to visit home, my mum and to see my grandson, now 5 weeks old. The 6 day boat trip from Reading to Newbury took me 30 minutes back by train! We were only cruising 4 hours or so per day but it's no wonder railways took over from the canals for industrial transportation!

Pete moved the boat by himself to Hungerford where I got back onboard on 22nd. He had obviously enjoyed the challenge, but I wouldn't have wanted to do those deep locks on my own. He works out a routine which involves climbing on the roof of the boat once in lock and climbing out via the slimy ladder with the midline, tying this and the bowline, then operating the gate paddles.
Blow that for a game of soldiers, I say. He's bonkers.

Hungerford is pretty at the canal end of town and some of the buildings are built with the lovely honey coloured stone familiar in Bath (Bath stone?). Lots of people were out and about, families feeding the ducks and just sitting on benches enjoying the hot sunshine; we are having unusual weather. Despite having had a wonderful few days with family and another much needed cuddle with my small grandson (it's like a drug), it was good to be back. I certainly have the best of both worlds.





Pete's misty morning


Is that a cow on the towpath?


Our Hungerford mooring
Location:Hungerford

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