My cousin Cathy talking to Sue, while waiting in a lock, of course!

We had a second cross over day with boat crew, this time at Crofton Top Locks. Cathy, Jims sister, and her friends Pastsy and Leanne arrived straight from Heathrow airport early in the morning and jumped right into boat life.

The Crofton Pumping Station is where we waited overnight to pick up Cathy, Patsy and Leanne. It was closed but we got a sneak look. As we were planning this trip I had a slight niggling worry at the back of my mind. Each end of the canal is a river, at the east end the Kennet and at the west end, the Avon. The canal rises between the two rivers, hence the Caen flight of locks at Devizes. To ensure that there is enough water to allow the canal to function there is pumping station at the top of the rise to bring water up to the highest point.

Built in 1812, it still functions for Steam Weekends

When I went through this area in 2019 I was oblivious to a possible stoppage of boats because of lack of water, and do remember that the canal was quite low and we scrapped bottom a few times. This time however that niggle was for naught. The heavy spring rain that had turned us back at Newbury supplied plenty of water for this part of our trip. But other adventures awaited.

Cathy, a very comfortable tiller woman.

Patsy jumping in

Leanne having a go. The boat was 69 feet long and you steer from the back!

We had to say goodbye to Sue, Leslie and Pam at the end of the day, but not before having lunch in a 400 year old pub.

Marlborough, a very quaint English village
We were a full boat that day.

Everyone got to go back through the Bruce Tunnel

Bruce Tunnel. The chains were to pull the boat through the tunnel and the horse walked over the hill. Sometimes done by leg, called “legging it”, now used as a term for running away.
Last chance at the tiller.

Coming out of a tunnel or bridge is always a thrill, watching the new view emerge.

Anticipation grows
And there it is.
The long view is also lovely. I never get tired of it.

We lazed our way back towards Bradford-on Avon, retracing our route with our new crew.

We saw many herons take flight and it was always a challenge to get a photograph of them. Sometimes we succeeded.
Great reflection
And off they go….

We re-passed the Pewsey White Horse cut into the chalk this is under the grass. They have to be maintained or grass will reclaim them

And visited one of the three The Barge Inns on this canal.

This Barge Inn is where the crop circles were planned, and they have a whole room dedicated to the intricate designs they used.

Back down the locks at Devizes, handled beautifully by our new crew, while Sally and I went to book a birth Caen Hill Marina for the night. Land showers and washing machines were needed.

Post flight

A great sense of achievement

We had a little rain, but we also had a lovely rainbow

Sally, enjoying Patsy’s must have breakfast, scones with jam and Devon cream.

We arrived back in Bradford on Avon with enough time to have a good look around and have dinner in an excellent Italian restaurant, Ravello, before we had to say goodbye to Cathy, Leanne and Patsy

They were picked up bright an early by a cab to take them on to Bath and the rest of their adventure

I thought this was going to be my last blog for this trip, but there were too many pictures I wanted to use. So one more to come.