Xilion Rose

The next instalment at last (and sorry for the delay). We finally managed to reach Hungerford after B.W. repaired the Lock Gates (much earlier than they thought) and met up with Selina and Chris who insisted that they take me to see the latest Harry Potter release (in my opinion, it was not as good as the previous Harry Potter film’s), They also dropped off India for a couple of days.
As we prepared to leave Hungerford, we met up with Rob and Judith in their 30ft Sea Otter boat called “Pyrford Explorer” who were going our way, so we both agreed to pair up and share the task of operating the locks.  Together we pushed on to Wootton Rivers where Daisy the Crew Dog decided to do a runner, and disappeared into the fields alongside of the tow path, after about an hour, and with the help of a local farmer, she was finally located digging in a patch of brambles, trying to catch the Rabbits that lived there. The following day, we set of for Honey Street, via the Croften Pumping Station, which still uses the oldest steam driven Beam Engine in the UK to keep the top reach of the K & A fed with water. We eventually arrived at Honey Street, where we absolutely had to visit the “Barge Inn” the self proclaimed “International Crop Circle Centre” of Europe (and maybe the world). The pub landlord is currently trying to raise the cash to purchase the Barge Inn and keep it “as is” instead of being taken over by one of the big multi-nationals and spoiling the rough charm that it currently has.
On the following day (Monday) we set off for Devizes with plans to moor just before the dreaded  ”16 lock flight” but because of the rain, we stopped at the top lock, thinking that an extra 6 normal locks would not be a problem when it stopped raining as had been forecast for the following day. Well Tuesday dawned and guess what, it was b****** raining again, but not to be deterred, off we set. 32 locks later we finally found somewhere (Seend Cleeve) to moor and called it a day, it had not stopped raining until we had moored up, and then, of course, it stopped! Still one of our friends (Barbara) came and picked us up and treated us to a beautiful home cooked meal.
The next stop was Bradford-on-Avon where we were able to top-up our stores and generally relax, next stop was to be Bath, where we expected to spend a couple of day’s and to purchase yet another pair of two-way radio’s as one of our previous hand held units had decided to go for a swim. Getting in to the planned mooring at Bath was interesting to say the least, you come out of the bottom lock, needing to turn very sharp right, across a very fast flowing section of the Avon, Xilion Rose needed all the power available to make the turn and even then it was very close, however, we made the turn and then watched Rob in the Pyrford Explorer make the turn as if there was nothing unusual about crossing fast flowing waters.
Friday dawned with a promise of fine weather, so at 9.30, we both decided to go for Bristol Floating Dock, a good seven hours away, the journey was very exciting, with various locks located very close to weirs, and the resulting currents making it difficult to moor at the lock mooring points, however, after having to back-out of a couple of interesting mooring points, we arrived in the Bristol Docks at around 4.30. just on schedule. The Floating Docks at Bristol have to be seen to be believed, the place is “Buzzing” with bars and restaurants all over the place and both large and small boats going back and forth all the time. We expect to spend a couple of days here (as we are expecting a few visitors on Sunday), prior to speaking to the Avonmouth Pilot re the weather and conditions to go up the Bristol Channel to join the Sharpness / Gloucester Canal. If the conditions are right we will make the journey to Sharpness on Monday.

Annie and Malcolm

Xilion Rose entering the Bristol Floating Docks

Rob and Judith on Pyrford Explorer leaving Bath