The Kennet and Avon canal

I'll have a look at the second division site, but reports here would be good please.

Rog

Not that easy to get in at the Rec.

They seem pretty full whenever there's a game on, but I did have a nosey when it was empty.

Rog

Yes, I seem to recall one of the locks is narrower.

Rog

We've got to Newbury. Short day due to the weather! Newbury seems a very pleasant town with lots of shopping opportunities and plenty of moorings, some 24 hr right in the centre but also plenty of Armco towpath just to the east (just before and around the big boatyard). But very wet! First night on K&A we moored at the Cunning Man, bow right in, stern out a bit. Next night we moored in the sticks (but unfortunately and inevitably fairly close to the railway), bow a couple of feet out and stern further. No boats came past to test the pins while we were moored.

Generally it seems fairly quiet. Some of the locks are a bit of the pain - I've taken to holding the boat with the centre rope (which I've always previously considered noddy-boatish) but it does allow us to fully raise the paddles (many of which are gate paddles) in a oner, without the boat going barmy. And the slopey sided locks take ages to fill the last bit. Everything very slimy.

We've seen a fair few dumpers and CMers, but not really a problem and no-one moored stupidly. Well there was a boat on a lock landing but they had a knackered gearbox and were awaiting an engineer so fair enough! But I have to say, quite a few of these "boaters" not at all friendly, totally ignoring our pleasantries. Well maybe not that many, but it stands out. They are not really boaters and one or two seemed terrified at the though of having to actually go through a lock. We were in one lock with another boat, Jeff had already got his paddle right up but on the other side was a random "boater" from the permanent moorings above (nothing to do with the boats in the lock), who had only raised his about two clicks. I was gesticulating for him to wind the paddles up more, Jeff ditto, but he just insisted that it was far too dangerous and we would all die if he raised it another click. This asymmetry of course resulted in the boats being pushed sideways and as our boat was longer than the other one, taking up quite an angle. Not the end of the world but a bit irritating. Jeff finally went over and wound the other paddle up. The guy said he was very experienced and knew what he was doing. Apparently he had 5 years experience of "boating". Jeff pointed out that between us, we had about 70 years of experience. And it then transpired that this chap's boat had never had an engine, he had only ever moved it to the water point/sani station. Hmmm, as I said, not really a boater, just someone whose house bobs around a bit.

Then there was the motorist who drove onto the electric swing bridge despite the alarm sounding, flashing lights, red light and barrier coming down. He accelerated then braked rapidly as he realised he wasn't going to get under the second barrier. So there he (and his wife) were, parked on the swing bridge with barriers front and rear. I was on the boat, Jeff was operating. Which was a shame because if it had been me, I'd just have continued holding the button down and swung the bridge. But being much nicer than me, Jeff reversed the operation and let them off. I would have sworn at them but there was a family with young children gongoozling!

Ah the joys of being in the Deep South where everyone is grumpy, unfriendly and in a rush!

Of course I forgot to mention the permanent moorers on the "Tesco" moorings just on the Thames at the junction with the Kennet. Rammed solid with junk boats, so no passers by can stop to go shopping. As far as I can tell, none of them licenced as they are not on CRT waters and never go through a Thames lock. Ditto on the Reading gaol loop, although fortunately there are some 24hr moorings a bit further along which permit a shopping stop. I'm sure these hippy types are "free spirit" types who think they are wonderful and should be allowed to do whatever they like, just so long as they don't have to pay for it and never mind that they have annexed a significant space to the exclusion of everyone else. Very selfish.

Anyway, looking forward to getting off the Kennet ontothe canal as progress is a little slow with a lock every mile or so, a significant current (will zoom along on the way back though!) and a slightly monotonous riperian feel.

Last time I went on the K&A was 2001/2002 as I wintered around Bradford on Avon area.

You see the Tesco moorings were pretty much empty when we were there.

It would be a pity if they are not readily available to stop and shop.

I don't have too much of an issue with 'settlers' but I do wish they'd pick spots with more consideration.

Thanks for the reports.

Rog