Waiting for water at woolhampton to wain.

Here we are , looking over the lock and deciding to give the river some respect , ie wait for it to recede a little .
Gears went slightly awry this morning in Colthrop lock, which was lucky as it could have been very tricky if this had occured while navigating on the fast flowing river sections.
Had a lovely walk along the bank,
which brought memories back of chilli dips in the river when the children would insist it was warm enough!
Jane has crocheted  her first ever doily for the port hole.

Fast ferocious flows

After three days of rain the Kennet is flowing  quite fast
Sailed down through Newbury arrived at Victoria park unscathed
Finished my new display stand lots of interest
Peace at last after model speed boats and bells have retired for the night.

Tug of war with Bronte

Very pleased to find our friends, The Kennet horse boat company are still going strong!  In Kintbury. What a majestic sight, the horse just gentle plodding down the tow path pulling its heavy load quietly through the countryside.
That tranquil picture was  slightly marred by Jane getting Bronte stuck on an underwater obstruction , which was bad enough but this was on a weir :$
After much pulling on ropes , pushing with poles and engine power, we were still in exactly the same position.
Brian got to work in getting his winch out. Yes seriously !
At this moment knights in high viz jackets appeared , volunteers anyway , so we had a game of tug of war with Bronte ,and eventually we won !
Off we went , much to our relief. Thanks to Steve and his team:-)
Moored in beautiful spot at Hamstead, the sun came out and calm was restored.
Time for Brian to go for a run and Jane to make mini roses.

Decimal ducklings

Saw Lewis off on the train back to uni from Hungerford station.
Proceded through Dunmill, Wire and Brunsdon locks to Kintbury.A monkjack deer nestled beneath a tree and didn't seem disturbed by our passing.
In Kintbury 10 ducklings appeared, the first of the year ! A sign of spring , lets hope so.

In the sticks

Hurray, the sun has got his hat on ! But Frances had to get the train back to uni , her rucksack was seriously heavy ,that didn't bother Mrs Muscle though.
The dwindling crew set off into clear blue skies, through
4 locks to moor up in the Froxfield flight of locks.
This was perfectly peaceful but found we were without internet or phone signals.
Shopped in Hungerford , had fun in the charity shops looking at old crochet patterns, I know it's sad!
Today took the boat to Hungerford surrounded by 50 friendly fishermen , we even pointed a few friendly carp out to them as the water was so clear.
Had a lovely afternoon making a very smart tea cozy .

Blizzards Blasts Bedwyn

Yesterday Jane, Lewis and Frances cycled 12 miles through the Savernake forest and freezing winds to Marlborough. Port salut, cheddar and goats cheese from the market were the best buys. Horizontal snow was witnessed today by the crew, most were holed up in doors for the day. Hibernation may be the best idea for the next few days.

Two smoking chimneys

Moored here and we could be back in the 18th century!
Crofton steam engines are in full steam and puffs of black smoke belch out of the huge chimney.
Brian the blacksmith is working away at his forge , anvil ringing out across the water , and black smoke rises out of Bronte's modest chimney. Nearly got poetic there!
All we need now is a steam train to pass by.
Frances has regaled us with tales of her rowing escapades, capsizing and swimming in the freezing Thames. Lewis's Ukrainian friend rang him and we got to hear lewis at last , chatting and guffawing in Russian , which was amusing.
Later moving to Great Bedwyn , where we are meeting our old but young friends the Applebys . Also hoping the bakers is still going so we can have freshly baked bread for breakfast .