We've now been home just over a week and the realities of life

We've now been home just over a week and the realities of life in the real world are already stating to bite. Both of us have started work again (there I go using four letter words in public) and we've had to go and buy a car. The cost and hassle of public transport is just unbelievable. We picked the new car up today and must give thanks to Paul for all his help in that department.
Thanks go as well to all those who posted comments on the blog. It's nice to know that some people actually read our accounts. Special mention to Maureen and Jacqui who were the most regular contributers.
That's it for now. Until next time, au revoir.
Bob

*HOME AGAIN, SALTFORD MARINA* Fri 10th Aug ‘07 This is the

HOME AGAIN, SALTFORD MARINA

Fri 10th Aug ‘07
This is the one, the last blog entry from our journey! While I may summarise later, our journey is now over and the reality of life must intrude. The bank manager calls!
Last night we moored at Bathampton and were visited by Kevin and Jane from the TR car club and Paul and Jacqui, who have been our constant help as we trundled around the system. Of course we had too much to drink, but that’s nothing new for me at least.
This morning we set off with the Bath locks ahead of us. We paired up with a single handed boater and negotiated the 6 locks, culminating in Bath Deep lock, one of the locks to do on the system.
Moving onto the river we stopped at the Sainsbury’s supermarket which is close to the river to do a bit of provisioning and then continued on to Weston Lock, the final hurdle in our journey home.
As we approached Saltford we were told to moor at the pub overnight, but when we actually arrived there was no room so we had to go into the marina and take a temporary mooring until tomorrow when another boat is leaving.
We’re tied up and plugged in, a bottle of Champers has been cracked and tomorrow we’ll go out looking for a car. The minutia of ordinary life is already intruding.
Tonight we will once again go out with our good friends Paul and Jacqui. Paul has offered to take us out looking for cars tomorrow, and his knowledge will be a great help in negotiations on price.

*COMING HOME ACROSS THE AVONCLIFFE AQUEDUCT* Thurs 9th Aug

COMING HOME ACROSS THE AVONCLIFFE AQUEDUCT

Thurs 9th Aug ‘07
Leaving Bradford on Avon we passed what seem to be hundreds of boats moored up there. Perhaps I exaggerate just a tad, but there were a lot of boats.
The sadness of having to bring our trip to an end is mitigated by the wonderful scenery on this stretch of canal. It is known as one of the best parts of our canal system. With two spectacular aqueducts on the route, Avoncliffe and Dundas, as well as good views over the Avon Valley. Along this stretch there are a lot of boats moored up, many of them appear to be permanent, but due to the scenery there are, of course, many holiday boats all jockeying for space at every available tourist stop. When we arrived at the water point at The Somerset Coal Canal we were extremely lucky to find it unoccupied. No sooner had we moored up than 3 boats started a queue for it. On the journey from there to Bathampton, where we will spend the night, we noted several boats which we had remembered from our time here before. Notably ‘Leviathon’, the boat which was the subject of a very expensive rebuild on television a couple of years ago, and another well known one whose roof is totally covered in turf that seems to have been around for years.
We’re now moored up at the George at Bathampton and will complete our journey back to Saltford tomorrow.

*LATE SUMMER IN WILTSHIRE* Wed 8th Aug ‘07 At about 8.30

LATE SUMMER IN WILTSHIRE

Wed 8th Aug ‘07
At about 8.30 this morning we were preparing to set off fro the day’s travels when Timmy jumped ship and despite my thoughts that he wouldn’t be too long he dived into the hedge and was gone. Oh well, nothing to do but get the book out and do some reading until he decides to return. It took nearly and hour for him to decide he was hungry again.
The first lock was fairly close and another boat pulled out from its mooring to join us. They only wanted to move that one lock, with 6 more locks to go in our planned day we were pleased to soon met another boat going our way. On this section there are also a fair few swing bridges so I was on the bike moving ahead to prepare them for our little convoy.
Again the day seen glorious sunshine, a cool breeze kept Cath happy, I can stand plenty of heat, she prefers it cool.
Our destination for the day was Bradford on Avon. After stopping at Hillperton for fuel we continued into the town. The moorings here are always very busy, and today was no different so we had to cycle through the lock and look for somewhere to throw our rope. We finally managed to find a place on the end of the line. Bradford is a pretty place, nestling in the valley of the River Avon only a few miles from Bath. It’s well worth a visit.

*THE KIDS WHO HELPED US DOWN CAEN HILL * * *Tues 7th Aug ‘07

THE KIDS WHO HELPED US DOWN CAEN HILL

Tues 7th Aug ‘07
Today’s the day! At 8.00 o’clock we pulled away from our overnight moorings and approached lock 50, top lock of the Devizes Flight. The prospect of 29 of these double beasts lay ahead. Lat night I had gone down the moorings asking if there was anyone planning on going down the flight in the morning, but there were only two boats, and they were already a pair. After 4 locks a boat pulled off its mooring, turned around and to our delight joined us in our descent. They had 4 young children, and despite their size they put in a huge effort, which helped up no end. Around about lock 32 we were joined by Trish and Colin, friends from Cath’s school, who stayed with us for about 5 locks. The boat which came down with us stopped at lock 29 so we carried on alone. Two locks later we were met by Paul, riding the motorcycle which I intend to buy from him when we get home. He completed the flight with us and then we retired to The Three Magpies at Sells Green for a pub lunch. Here is where we will spend the night.

*CLAIR AND IAN VISITING US IN DEVIZES* Sun 5th Aug ‘07 The pub

CLAIR AND IAN VISITING US IN DEVIZES
Sun 5th Aug ‘07
The pub food and music were quite good last night but there was a lull in the live music between about 7.30 and 9.00 which we thought would have been a prime slot.
Too much vino last night meant a slow start to the day, but eventually we got going and continued along the this lovely, lockless section of the K&A. Wherever there is a break in the trees or hedges the there are lovely views of this northern Salisbury Plain, including two white horses in the chalky hillsides. I have mentioned before the lack of maintenance on this canal and here there is further evidence of it. In several places this ‘wide beam’ canal is so overgrown with reeds that a narrowboat touches both sides, wide beams must have to push like h***.
We soon arrived at Devizes where we were to meet up with Clair, one of Cath’s mates from her work, Clair and Ian duly arrived and we retired to a café for coffee/tea. Later we took them to the boat for a look around before they had to depart. It’s another absolutely boiling hot day and I love it, just keep those chilled beers coming!

*CROFTON ENGINE HOUSE AND MOORING* Sat 4th Aug ‘07 Last

CROFTON ENGINE HOUSE AND MOORING

Sat 4th Aug ‘07
Last night’s weather forecasters couldn’t seem to make their mind up what was going to happen in our area. This morning as we got up the outlook didn’t look too good, the sky was cloudy and the wind was up. It soon changed though, and wall to wall sunshine became the order of the day. Life came to a halt at lock 68. We had been catching up a slower boat, and at this lock we actually arrived as they were leaving. With a full lock I had to raise both paddles, the one on the towpath side came up OK, but when I tried to lower it the darn thing wouldn’t go down. Investigation revealed a hydraulic leak so I tried to force the piston down using a lever, but that was ineffective. I called BW to report the stoppage and was tolda they would get someone here as soon as they could. Soon there were several boats backed up waiting so we had another look at the problem. If the leak was the cause, maybe if we put more oil into it, it would work just enough to get us going, One of the boaters had a tool which could be used to open the filler plug on the reservoir and I provided some engine oil. The trick worked and soon we were on our way again.
The sun continued to beat down from a cloudless sky as we plodded along with the ever present, and noisy railway as our companion. A section through woods gave a welcome respite from the direct sun. The scenery was lovely as we passed through Wide Water, another one of those picturesque places constructed to appease a local land owner who didn’t want the canal through their land. In this case it cost £500.00, a fancy bridge and a bit of widening on the canal.
Our destination today was Honeystreet, and despite the hold up we made it by about 4 o’clock. Just the place to be! Tonight they are holding a music festival with live blues bands. All very nice, good food and great music.