 Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead. |
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Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.
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From Rugeley Bridge No 66 to Huddlesford Junction arriving at 3:55 pm. The time taken was 4 hours 50 minutes. 11.25 miles and 3 locks, averaging 2.95 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 349 hours 5 minutes total cruising time, 879.00 miles and 302 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Having spent two wet days at Rugeley waiting for the post to arrive it finally came this morning and we set off at 9.15. Stopped for water near the Ash Tree pub and had to wait 25 minutes for the tap to be free and 30 minutes to fill with water. Came on and had lunch on the move after Fradley Junction. Stopped for 55 minutes at Streethay Wharf to get information and pictures for a marina article. Came on to moor at near the Plough pub. The boat next to us was Aboretum, which we last saw after the Salford Quays festival in 1998. A dry day with some glimpses of the sun.
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From Huddlesford Junction to Hartshill Wharf arriving at 5:20 pm. The time taken was 8 hours 40 minutes. 19.75 miles and 13 locks, averaging 3.78 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 357 hours 45 minutes total cruising time, 898.75 miles and 315 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped at Hopwas for twenty minutes while I went to the post office to send off my Lancaster Canal article. Saw a family of mink before the Tame Aqueduct. Had lunch on the move after Glascote Locks. It was a good trip up the Atherstone flight (2 hours 13 minutes) with a lot of people coming down. Lock 2 only had one paddle working. moored just past the wharf. A mainly dry day with sunshine in the afternoon.
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From Hartshill Wharf to Hawkesbury Junction arriving at 11:55 am. The time taken was 2 hours 45 minutes. 8.75 miles and No locks, averaging 3.18 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 360 hours 30 minutes total cruising time, 907.50 miles and 315 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
At Nuneaton we pased a BW man on a work boat fishing an armchair out of the canal. We also passed Rojane No 3 the firstboat I have spotted with a Beale Park Festival sticker. Moored just before the junction visitor moorings. A dry day with sunshine and cloud.
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From Hawkesbury Junction to Easenhall Lane Bridge No 34 arriving at 12:40 am. The time taken was 3 hours. 8.00 miles and No locks, averaging 2.67 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 363 hours 30 minutes total cruising time, 915.50 miles and 315 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped 30 minutes for water before Hawkesbury Junction. A slowish journey travelling behind other boats. Saw the people on Shelly Anne moored just past Rose Boats at Brinklow and spoke to them. Moored on the piling past the bridge. A dry and mostly cloudy day.
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From Easenhall Lane Bridge No 34 to Brownsover Arm (disused) arriving at 10:50 am. The time taken was 1 hours 40 minutes. 4.88 miles and No locks, averaging 2.93 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 365 hours 10 minutes total cruising time, 920.38 miles and 315 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Spent twenty minutes (not included in cruising time) going down te Rugby Arm to the Willow Wren base to get a pump out and diesel but they are shut on Sundays. Moored just before the arm and went to check out the route to the station and to buy some drink at Tesco's. A fine day with sunshine and cloud.
From Brownsover Arm (disused) to Braunston Junction arriving at 5:30 pm. The time taken was 3 hours 45 minutes. 9.88 miles and 3 locks, averaging 3.43 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 368 hours 55 minutes total cruising time, 930.25 miles and 318 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Went shopping at Tesco's this morning. Met rose and Ben at the station at 12.40 and got a taxi back to the boat. Stopped 15 minutes at Clifton Cruisers for pumpout (£12) and some icecream. Moored at Braunston and went to the Admiral Nelson for dinner. A warm day with a lot of sunshine.
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From Braunston Junction to Napton Junction arriving at 11:25 am. The time taken was 1 hours 40 minutes. 5.00 miles and No locks, averaging 3.00 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 370 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 935.25 miles and 318 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Set off and went to Brauston Marina for diesel (161.7 litres £48.51) before going back to the junction. The fuel filling tri not included in the cruising time. Stopped at Napton Junction while I went to Calcutt Marina and then had lunch.
From Napton Junction to Fenny Compton Wharf arriving at 6:05 pm. The time taken was 5 hours. 11.50 miles and 9 locks, averaging 4.10 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 375 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 946.75 miles and 327 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Had a good run upthe locks, no queues or hold ups. Stopped for a few minutes at the engine arm to talk to Ken and Margaret Froud. Moored just past the wharf. A dry day with some sunny intervals.
From Fenny Compton Wharf to Cropredy Lock No 25 arriving at 12:40 am. The time taken was 3 hours 45 minutes. 6.25 miles and 9 locks, averaging 4.07 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 379 hours 20 minutes total cruising time, 953.00 miles and 336 locks, averaging 3.40 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came down the locks and moored before the lock. Went to the Red Lion for lunch but it was not up to their usual standard.
From Cropredy Lock No 25 to Banbury Lock No 29 arriving at 5:25 pm. The time taken was 3 hours. 4.50 miles and 4 locks, averaging 2.83 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 382 hours 20 minutes total cruising time, 957.50 miles and 340 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped 25 minutes for water at Cropredy Wharf then came down the three locks to Banbury. Queues at nearly all the locks. Moored by the shopping centre. A very hot day.
From Banbury Lock No 29 to Heyford Wharf Bridge No 206 arriving at 6:20 pm. The time taken was 7 hours 40 minutes. 12.88 miles and 7 locks, averaging 2.59 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 390 hours total cruising time, 970.38 miles and 347 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Did some shopping in Banbury before setting off this morning. Had a problem at Aynho Weir Lock where the rack fell off the paddle gear into the lock. Phoned the BW hotline but managed to empty the lock before BW arrived by using a cord through the rod leading to the paddle. Had lunch on the move and moored at Lower Heyford to have dinner at the Bell, a very good meal. A hot day with a cooling breeze in the afternoon.
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From Heyford Wharf Bridge No 206 to Osney Bridge arriving at 4:15 pm. The time taken was 7 hours 20 minutes. 14.38 miles and 10 locks, averaging 3.32 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 397 hours 20 minutes total cruising time, 984.75 miles and 357 locks, averaging 3.38 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Filled with water for 30 minutes at Lower Heyford. Came down to Dukes Cut and turned o to the Thames. Moored beside the hotelboat Britell above Osney Lock for half an hour or so before they moved off. All the other mooring spaces were filled. Went out for dinner at Gino's. A warm sunny day.
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From Osney Bridge to Clifton Hampden Bridge arriving at 6:40 pm. The time taken was 4 hours 45 minutes. 14.75 miles and 6 locks, averaging 4.37 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 402 hours 5 minutes total cruising time, 999.50 miles and 363 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Went to the station to see off Rosemary and Ben then went shopping at Sainsbury's. Set off after lunch. Saw September Dawn as we were on our way to Abingdon. Stopped for 35 minutes to fill with water and have a pumpout (£5) above the lock. Saw Handsel on the moorings at Abingdon but we could not find a space so we came on to moor before Clifton Hampden Bridge. On the way I saw a kingfisher after Culham Lock. This is a very poor mooring with no part of the boat within two feet of the bank. A hot sunny day.
From Clifton Hampden Bridge to Wallingford Bridge arriving at 11:10 am. The time taken was 2 hours 20 minutes. 7.63 miles and 2 locks, averaging 4.13 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 404 hours 25 minutes total cruising time, 1,007.13 miles and 365 locks, averaging 3.39 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Shared the locks with a narrowboat called Calluna. Moored before the bridge. A another hot day.
From Wallingford Bridge to Goring Lock arriving at 10:55 am. The time taken was 1 hours 50 minutes. 5.88 miles and 2 locks, averaging 4.30 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 406 hours 15 minutes total cruising time, 1,013.00 miles and 367 locks, averaging 3.40 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped 10 minutes for water at Cleeve Lock. Moored at Goring and went to take some more photos before lunch. Another hot sunny day.
From Goring Lock to River Kennet Junction arriving at 11:55 am. The time taken was 3 hours 15 minutes. 11.50 miles and 3 locks, averaging 4.46 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 409 hours 30 minutes total cruising time, 1,024.50 miles and 370 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came through the locks with Handsel and through Whitchurch Lock with Still Waters too. All the moorings at Tesco's were full so we went on to moor on the corner of the junction. Went to Tesco's for lunch and shopping.
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From River Kennet Junction to High Bridge, Reading arriving at 2:15 pm. The time taken was 35 minutes. 0.50 miles and 1 locks, averaging 2.57 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 410 hours 5 minutes total cruising time, 1,025.00 miles and 371 locks, averaging 3.40 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Shared Blakes Lock with the narrowboat Albert. We moored by the prison and I went to the station to get my tickets for tomorrow. Another hot sunny day.
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From High Bridge, Reading to Shenfield Lock No 101 arriving at 1:10 pm. The time taken was 2 hours 45 minutes. 6.00 miles and 6 locks, averaging 4.36 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 412 hours 50 minutes total cruising time, 1,031.00 miles and 377 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
After spending a day at Reading we set off in the rain and moored a little way beyond Shenfield Swing bridge. A wet morning but drier in the afternoon.
From Shenfield Lock No 101 to Colthrop Lock No 91 arriving at 4:15 pm. The time taken was 5 hours 45 minutes. 8.50 miles and 9 locks, averaging 3.04 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 418 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 1,039.50 miles and 386 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped 30 minutes for water at Tyle Mill and 30 minutes at Reading Marine for a pumpout (£12) and a new container of blue (£12.99). Had lunch on the move and stopped on the visitor moorings before Monkey Marsh Lock. A dry cloudy day with some sunny intervals.
From Colthrop Lock No 91 to Greenham Lock No 86 arriving at 11:35 am. The time taken was 2 hours 35 minutes. 3.50 miles and 5 locks, averaging 3.29 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 421 hours 10 minutes total cruising time, 1,043.00 miles and 391 locks, averaging 3.40 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came up to moor above the lock. Went shopping in the town then had lunch at Sainsbury's and did more shopping there. A mostly sunny day.
From Greenham Lock No 86 to Kintbury Lock No 78 arriving at 1:50 pm. The time taken was 4 hours 5 minutes. 6.50 miles and 8 locks, averaging 3.55 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 425 hours 15 minutes total cruising time, 1,049.50 miles and 399 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came through Newbury and Guyer's locks by ourselves but the Challenger boat Shrewsbury caught us up as we were emptying Guyer's Lock so we waited and shared the other locks with them. After Benham Lock we breasted-up with a boat that was going backwards to a winding place. Stopped for water at Kintbury then pulled the boat along to the visitor moorings. A mostly sunny day.
From Kintbury Lock No 78 to Burnt Mill Lock No 65 arriving at 2:40 pm. The time taken was 5 hours 40 minutes. 7.63 miles and 13 locks, averaging 3.64 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 430 hours 55 minutes total cruising time, 1,057.13 miles and 412 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came through all the locks by ourselves today, although we met a lot of people coming the opposite way. Saw Barry Green on Lilly Maud at Hungerford Marsh Lock. Moored on the new visitor moorings at Great Bedwyn. Did a 7726 hour service changing the oil filter. A day of sunshine and cloud with just a few spots of rain.
From Burnt Mill Lock No 65 to Honey Street Wharf arriving at 4:25 pm. The time taken was 7 hours 10 minutes. 13.25 miles and 14 locks, averaging 3.80 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 438 hours 5 minutes total cruising time, 1,070.38 miles and 426 locks, averaging 3.42 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Filled with water at Great Bedwyn and went through all the locks today with a Reading Marine boat. Had lunch on the move on the summit section. Saw Mr David at the bottom of the Wootton Rivers flight. Moored by the Barge Inn. A day of sunshine and cloud.
At Honey Street Wharf
Left the rather noisy moorings at the Barge Inn and went to the visitor moorings at All Cannings Bridge.
From Honey Street Wharf to Devizes Top Lock No 50 arriving at 11:20 am. The time taken was 2 hours 15 minutes. 8.00 miles and No locks, averaging 3.56 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 441 hours total cruising time, 1,078.38 miles and 426 locks, averaging 3.41 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Saw a knigfisher just after Horton Bridge and it stayed ahead of us almost as far as Devizes Marina. Stopped at Devizes Marina for twenty minutes.Moored at Devizes wharf and went to the Post Office to collect our mail. Had lunch at the Bear (Mushroom Stroganoff and Penne Pasta Bolognese £9.80 for the two meals). Went shopping at Sainsbury's. A cloudy day with some showers in the afternoon.
From Devizes Top Lock No 50 to Sells Green Bridge arriving at 2:35 pm. The time taken was 5 hours 15 minutes. 3.00 miles and 29 locks, averaging 6.10 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 446 hours 15 minutes total cruising time, 1,081.38 miles and 455 locks, averaging 3.44 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came through the first lock with one Canaltime boat and through the other 28 with another one. Stopped 20 minutes for water at Sells Green Bridge then went on to moor before the swing bridge. A day of cloud and sunshine, and some showers after we moored.
From Sells Green Bridge to Seend Bottom Lock No 17 arriving at 11:30 am. The time taken was 2 hours. 2.00 miles and 5 locks, averaging 3.50 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 448 hours 15 minutes total cruising time, 1,083.38 miles and 460 locks, averaging 3.44 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
A wet trip down the locks, sharing with a Canaltime boat and then a Wessex hire boat in some of the locks.Moored just beyond the bottom lock.
From Seend Bottom Lock No 17 to Bradford-on-Avon Lock No 14 arriving at 1:05 pm. The time taken was 3 hours 20 minutes. 7.00 miles and 2 locks, averaging 2.70 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 451 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 1,090.38 miles and 462 locks, averaging 3.44 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Came through the locks and swing bridges with Bramble No 20. Stopped for 20 minutes at Hillperton Wharf for a pumpout (£10 without blue). Came on and moored before the lock. Went shopping at Budgens after lunch. A cloudy day with rain starting in the late morning.
From Bradford-on-Avon Lock No 14 to Bath Old Bridge arriving at 3:05 pm. The time taken was 6 hours 5 minutes. 10.00 miles and 7 locks, averaging 2.79 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 457 hours 40 minutes total cruising time, 1,100.38 miles and 469 locks, averaging 3.43 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
Stopped 30 minutes for water at Bradford on Avon before coming through the lock with a Wessex hire boat. A very slow trip due to the large number of moored boats and a lots of boats on the move. Had lunch on the move. Two slow boats in front of us as we came down the Bath Locks. We shared with Black Pig, a single handed boat. Moored near the station. A mostly sunny day.
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From Bath Old Bridge to Cumberland Basin Entrance Lock No 2 arriving at 4:05 pm. The time taken was 5 hours 55 minutes. 17.50 miles and 7 locks, averaging 4.14 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 463 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 1,117.88 miles and 476 locks, averaging 3.44 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
| Did our shopping at Sainsbury's before leaving Bath. Saw a terrapin just past Newbridge and a kingfisher. Also saw kingfishers below Saltford, Swineford and Keynsham locks. Came down into the docks and paid for a 48 hours visitor permit (£24.50). A cloudy day with rain in the afternoon. |  |
| Avon: Bristol The Floating Harbour - July 2003 |
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From Cumberland Basin Entrance Lock No 2 to Disused Railway Bridge arriving at 2:30 pm. The time taken was 5 hours. 14.75 miles and 6 locks, averaging 4.15 lock/miles per hour. Totals for this voyage are 468 hours 35 minutes total cruising time, 1,132.63 miles and 482 locks, averaging 3.45 lock/miles per hour over the whole voyage.
A lot of water coming down through Neham Lock as we went up the river. Stopped 30 minutes for water at Hanham Lock. Moored for 10 minutes on the new mooring pontoons at Kelston but decided not to stay. Saw a kingfisher above Saltford Lock. Moored on the pontoon at Bath Marina. A mostly cloudy day with a few light showers.
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Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.