The difference in a few miles.

Yesterday the weather was what has become typical so far this year, cloudy, chilly for July and many showers, I visited Sainsbury in between the showers and back on the boat decided to try my hand at splicing a loop and putting a backsplice (to finish the end) on an old piece of rope, ok so it’s a bit short to be useful, but I found it quite easy to do, so from now on I will buy plain rope and splice it myself.

This morning was moving day, so at 9:40 I cast off, perfect timing as the boat in front of me asked if I was stopping for water, I was, so I had first dibs, then as I prepared the lock which is just ahead of the water point, a day boat was just about to set off, so the staff from the hire place operated the lock for ‘us’.

Nervous lady in small day boat, she wasn't letting go of that tiller even though
the gates were still closed :-)

The staff asked me to lead on so the hirer could get an idea of the correct speed to pass all the moored boats, but shortly after leaving the lock I came to a pair of brested boats with someone approaching as well, so as we passed each other I warned him about the day boat and could see as I looked back that there was a bit of confusion as to which side she should pass him, he was waving his arms to indicate but those arm signals are often not obvious, so I lost sight of them as she stopped and sorted herself out a bit

.

The wooded section alongside the country park was dark and ‘cool’ with high trees both sides, although there were plenty of places to moor up despite the large number of boats.

As I reached the Avoncliff Aqueduct a boat appeared, so I slowed to let him turn the sharp corner and he warned me there was another boat already on the aqueduct, so I waited for him too, as he passed he shouted “there is another one coming but he’s a long way back so you’ll be ok” so off I went, as soon as I started the turn in I found the other boat was just ahead, so much for a long way back! anyway as it turned out there was room to pass so we got past each other ok, which was probably what he meant.

Approaching the 90 degree right turn

Heading in after being told it was ok

After passing the other boat

And off he goes as well

I have not been impressed with the K&A mainly due to the lack of moorings, there are plenty if you don’t mind wading through 4’ high vegetation and using a board to get ashore due to grounding the boat either at bow or stern, but it’s not my idea of relaxing fun, it’s almost as if the K&A would rather not have boats on it. I have had to pass many small villages that I would have liked to have looked at because of this ‘problem’. BUT after passing the aqueduct the canal changes dramatically, with plenty of available options and not ugly pilings (although they are lovely to moor to) but beautiful stone edgings with a grass border to the towpath.

The landscape also changes with actual views from the canal!

There are also many interesting boats to see among other things.

It's not a reflection it's a nice bit of artwork.

Lazy surfer ?

 As I was passing another line of moored boats I recognised the boat approaching, it was my locking buddies from the Caen Hill flight N.B. Bloddery Dorn, a shouted “hello, how’s thing’s, see you again” was all there was time for as other boats were following behind them.

And then it was the second aqueduct on this section, Dundas Aqueduct, this one had better views from my direction and was all clear, the aqueduct leads into the junction with Brassknocker Basin to the left and the mainline to the right.

Approaching the aqueduct

Looking back at the lift bridge leading to the basin.

 I moored up just past the basin entrance and I have to say today’s cruise was probably the nicest I’ve had on this canal to date, if it was all like this section I would stay much longer.

Tonight’s mooring 

Totals today: 4 miles : 1 lock : 2 aqueducts

Later on I took a walk to the have a look around the basin which is actually what remains of the Somersetshire Coal Canal, opened in 1801, closed in 1898, this first quarter mile was restored in 1986-88 and is used for mooring and a small hire base with boats, canoes as well as a cafe and ice cream shop, more info on this HERE.

It is a lovely spot, I tried to go down to the bottom of the aqueduct to get a picture looking up but could not find a way down, so here’s one looking down at the river Avon.

And one of my mooring from bridge 177