A short, hot trip.......

.....with an exciting finish.

At 9am Karl headed off towards Aldermaston Lift Bridge which is not operational in the rush hour, 8am -9am, while I called in to the chandlery and purchased a refill gas bottle (£26.25), meanwhile Karl set the lock and which is immediately after the bridge and when he spotted me approaching he opened the lift bridge and I went through and into the lock, Karl then went through the bridge and reversed back into position to close the bridge before entering the lock as well.

Karl leaving Aldermarston lock behind.

It was an uneventful cruise although very nice and bendy in the vicinity of Frouds Bridge Marina but not much worthy of a picture.

Shortly after we reached Woolhampton swing bridge and lock which is supposed to be the most difficult on the Kennet when water levels are high. The swing bridge is adjacent to the Rowbarge pub, so plenty of onlookers during opening hours but we were early. After the swing bridge and just before the lock entrance the river Kennet joins the canal and it is here that the fun can be had! I walked ahead to survey the situation and found a widebeam was coming down the lock, so when he was ready I opened the bridge and bought Quinquireme through and tied up, Karl followed passing the widebeam who had left the lock and went straight into the lock, well as straight as you can when the river is pushing you away from it!, I then closed the bridge after the widebeam had passed and went in to the lock myself, yes the current although calm had quite an effect and it was hard throttle and tiller over to avoid bashing the right hand side of the lock entrance,quite exciting, but I made it in ok......just !

Judging by the tyres along this permanently mooored boat it must get
side swiped quite regularly.

Leaving Woolhampton lock, happy.

The Rowbarge pub taken from the swing bridge.

After the lock we moored for a cuppa and decided to stay put, it was lovely and hot and I had a load of washing to get dry so that went on to the bow well deck J. I then went for a walk into Woolhampton village for some milk and squash. A nice little village but too hot to wander far here’s a few snaps.