The return begins.

On Sunday my 48hrs at Bath was up so I had to move, on the way here I had passed through Bathampton without stopping so I decided a short pootle to there was all I wanted to do as I was still feeling pretty rough.

Setting off from Bath

The trip took about an hour because of the number of moored boats but I was lucky enough to find a spot on the visitor mooring right outside The George Inn, I had intended to have a beer in there but feeling as I did I opted to sit in the bow deck with a glass of orange and my Kindle.

The George Inn.

I got in at the end of the visitor moorings

The forecast for Tuesday was HOT so I decided to move again Monday to a spot I had seen on the journey here which would be 14 days and give me the option to stay if the weather stayed too hot to cruise, amazing really, I’ve spent the last month or two moaning about the cold and then ‘wham’ 30+ degrees, anyway after a quick walk to the shops for milk and tablets I set off around 9:30.

I had the two awkward (for the single hander) swing bridges to deal with, 182 wasn’t too bad apart from having to squeeze between the end of the bridge and the bracken, once the bridge was open, to get back on my bow, you just have to be slow and careful positioning the bow to be able to get off and on again, there are a real pain when it’s windy.

At bridge 178 I had been struggling a little to get the bridge past my bow without doing any damage when a lady appeared and asked if I was alone, and offered to assist, but then she took a look and said ‘oh you’ve got it almost done now anyway’ and carried on her way, timing again!

It was warm and getting warmer so I was disappointed when I found my desired spot was in fact too shallow after 3 attempts to get in to the side had to continue on.

This ones name, My Newt.

Just as I began the 90 degree turn in to Dundas Aqueduct I heard a horn being sounded so had to do a bit of adjusting to move out of the way of the wide beam hotel boat that had begun his crossing and then hold until he was clear.

Dundas Aqueduct

Another dinky one.

Approaching the Avoncliff Aqueduct another boat moved off ahead of me, I always pass any moored boats on tickover, and there are a lot of them around here, but I spent the next 30 minutes or so going from tickover to neutral as this chaps boat was really slow.

Following him over Avoncliff Aqueduct.

And then having chosen a mooring I could see ahead, he pulled into it, never mind, there were plenty of space so I took a nearer one.

From my shaded seat

Late after I decided as the boat was hot to sit in the shade on the towpath and read some more, time for selfie.

I am feeling better this morning so today I am just staying put and letting the heat wash over me while I watch the holiday makers cruise past soaking up the sun.

Totals this post: 6 miles : 2 swing bridges