We've boated on all the navigable waters south of Chester I think except the Kennet & Avon. Strange really as it's the closest to our home. Actually, I tell a lie, we have done the bit of the K&A from the junction with the Thames to the other side of Reading town centre. About a mile I suppose. People tell us the K&A at this end is a lot of hard work and that the other end beyond Devizes has too many moored boats. So we've not really been tempted to give it a go.
Here's a close up of the yellow sign on the lock gate beam
Anyhow, the bit through Newbury is unfamiliar to us and it seems a maze of bits of river and canal and islands. We were in Newbury on Sunday afternoon and popped into Tesco and noticed a narrowboat just through the car park hedge so of course we had to go and take a look. At that point it is the river below the lock and it was running very fast, much too fast to navigate unless of course you want to take up water skiing. The mooring lines on the boats were stretched really tight as the current pushed the boats back.
Some of the river comes from under that bridge, but most of it comes hareing round the corner on the left of the lock. It all looks pretty scary to me. Have you boated on the K&A? How did you find it?
4 comments:
Hi Neil, as you say the Reading end has some horrible locks, and though we were able to moor in Bath (near Pulteney Bridge, you can't moor alomg there any more), the banks were lined with all kinds of craft. Parts of it are beautiful, and/or interesting (eg Crofton, and the Avon aqueducts) but some of the moorings were awful. There were good pubs,eg Woolhampton. Caen Hill was amazing and not difficult. We wintered at Caen Hill marina (2014-15) but couldn't move on back towards the Thames till the Kennet had gone down - it was a wet spring and we were stuck there till mid-April. We're glad we did it but not particularly keen to go back. I think James and Doug on Chace really liked it though! Happy boating, Debby
Hi Neil.
We went all the way to Bristol a few years ago. It was hard work, hard to moor, some of it picturesque, plank required and quite a lot of the local boaters over the summit were quite rude and would rather have been left with the canal all to themselves.
Would we return? Maybe someday. Possibly if we ever got the courage to do Sharpness to Bristol, then at least we'd only be going one way.
Pip
We did the whole length from the Thames (having come down it from Oxford) to Bristol Floating Harbour, and back again, last Spring/Summer. The water levels/speeds did cause several delays, but that is the nature of the navigation. It is not difficult so long as you have time to follow instructions and be prepared to stay in a safe place for several weeks if need be - and CaRT understand so long as you keep them up to date with where you are and then move on as soon as practicable.
Some locks can be hard work - they are all wide and often fairly deep, but all were passable. River sections such as Reading, Newbury and other well know hot spots, need care and it is as well not to attempt them other that in flat calm conditions if you are a new crew. You do need top be able to 'read' the water and its flows.
Despite the reputation, we always found a place to moor just about where we planned each day - in places like Bradford-on-Avon, Bathhampton, Bath, the situation is gradually improving as CaRT get on top of the more obvious issues. You will always have a more enjoyable journey if you are ready and sincere in treating all users (towpath, CMs as well as moving boats) as equals (or better!) - offer and accept help as fits the situation. We even had to work around several medical appointments at times and places not of our chosing.
Much of the canal is very scenic, the long pound above Devizes is exceptionally peaceful, despite some growth in the number of longer term boaters including those with 'adaptations' that allow them to cruise compliantly without having to work locks. None of it is intimidating or a 'drag'. The surrounding history, geography and culture can be well worth delving into, especially along the Pewsey Vale
Whilst it is a tad expensive, do try not to miss the trip down to Bristol Floating Harbour. Treat yourself to at least three nights there - you are likely to arrive mid to late afternoon in any case. So long as it is not in flood, the river section from Bath is not intimidating (apart from the immediate shock of transitioning out of Bath locks!) The best place to look for an overnight in Bath is either back at Bathampton or down on the railings, just on the river, either side of the new Bath Quays footbridge.
And yes - a plank is needed! preferably one the length you will find marks out a local moorer! In general, this is not the result of a lack of maintenance but the choices by the original builders and the restorers. It is always good to remember that cabals were not bult so that boats could moor wherever they chose - a moored boat is not an earning boat! Do note that there has been as rapid growth in the number of wide beam boats - whilst the canal officially was built to take them it was not designed for mooring, yet some folk still seem to think that they can stop in places that are only suitable for narrow boats. If you are cruising on a wide boat (and most are either static or moving up to a water point and back) you may well find it quite a distance between places where it is really sensible to stop. (I do wish that CaRT and other guides indicate whether a stated mooring is suitable for wide boats - many are not - yet boaters think that just because it says 48hours then it must be OK for any boat to stop there!)
What the K&A needs above all else is more cruising visiting boats to keep up the demand for all of the assets to be in effective condition.
Just try it!
Thanks for your comments guys. Maybe we'll look at the K&A one day but there's other places that are further up the list just now.
Neil
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