A long hot day, and a good deed.

We set off around 10:15 in very muggy conditions. The Kennet is very rural at the moment mostly lined with trees one side or other and fairly high vegetation on the other.

We passed through Burfield lock (103) at 7 feet deep without any problem as the water levels are low and calm currently the weirs aren’t too much problem either.

 Passing beneath the busy M4.

Garston lock was the first turf sided lock I’ve tackled and although not a problem in itself the ladder placement and lack of lock side to walk along meant a couple of trips up and down the ladder until I was happy with my position and ready to fill the lock. no photos as I was busy!

Sheffield lock was a lovely little lock with scalloped sides and at 2’ 2” deep a pleasant distraction from the heat which was now beginning to build, without too much effort.

Karl sliding gracefully into Sheffield Lock

We then moved on through Sulhamstead lock (100) and various swing bridges, stopping at the service point before the swing  bridge and lock at Tyle Mill. After the usual fill and empty we worked out a plan for dealing with these two features which are close together and on a fairly busy road, I went ahead and set the lock then opened the swing bridge, Karl moved through the bridge and entered the lock while I returned to my boat, I then bought my boat through the swing bridge while Karl went and closed the bridge after me, we then dealt with the lock in the usual manner.

Then the little bit of excitement and the rescue, a walker on the towpath called out to me that someone had gone the wrong way, and as the stricken boat came into view I could see lots of smoke from her engine and realised  what had happened, the lady steerer had begun to go towards the weir before realising her mistake and getting herself wedged across the weir entrance, that was probably lucky for had she gone further she might have been in real trouble and out of view, any way I offered assistance which was gratefully accepted and with Karl videoing proceedings eventually got her out.

Wedged across the mouth of the backwater to the weir.

Dragging her out so she can head off the right way, on the right!

Karl did have to take evasive action as she headed towards him in reverse, but her engine was so smoky and noisy she never heard me telling her to put it in neutral J it all worked out though and she went on her way relieved and happy.

We stopped briefly on the lock landing at Towney lock (97) for a bite to eat, the heat and the longer than expected cruise was taking its toll and we needed fuel for our bodies! 

At 9’ 8” deep, big and wide with paddles half way up the gates this lock has a potential for problems, the flow is tremendous but with both of us watching boats carefully and diligent use of the paddles we got through safely.

By the time we had got through the next lock, Padworth (96) we were both ready to stop, it was hot and muggy and we were tired, we paid to moor overnight at Aldermaston Wharf stopping around 4pm and then had a cooling beer on a wooden bench in the shade! A lovely end to a lovely but hard hot day, of course it would not be England with rain, so we had a heavy shower for an hour cooling the temperature.

Totals today : 6 miles : 7 locks : 5 swing bridges