We’ve done this bit before on the helmsman’s course – lots of parked boats but a very scenic route, through Bathampton and on to Dundas aqueduct:
Across the aqueduct and out onto the ever serene canal, a beautiful section which even the dog seemed to like
And another aqueduct – Avoncliffe
We passed through Bradford-on-Avon and then onto towards Trowbridge, past the Hilperton Marina
We passed a boat doing a 3-point turn – these boaters were later to catch up with us and to prove very helpful!
Yes, James & Rosie (it’s actually her boat – the White Swan). He’s a marine electrician and lives on his boat, moored at the Barge Inn, Seend. Rosie has just bought the boat as a place to live on and will be working in Oxford soon and so will take the boat up there. Great to be young and carefree! We played leapfrog – alternating the workings of locks & lift-bridges all the way to Seend. A long day, not finishing until 1850 but with a pub as the end point – a definite incentive indeed.
It’s a Wadworth’s pub and the beer wasn’t cheap but the food was excellent (Boeuf en daube with horseradish mash!). End of a long day but there was an even longer day ahead.