Saturday 13 September 2014

Caen Hilll Marina - new journey

September 8-13th, 2014

The family have been back for a week now and have decided to take me out for a cruise to Bradford-on-Avon or even further, depending on moorings, etc.  I am pleased that we are all back together again.  Mazey is doing really well and she has recovered from her operation (benign hystiocytoma).  Susan still keeps feeding her biscuits though...

Dreamer - Caen Hill Marina - mooring
Mazey being cleaned after muddy walk
Caen Hill Marina
Monday:

We don't move far and find a mooring at Sells Green Bridge.  It is so hot that a man on another boat decides to go swimming in the water - yuk yuk yuk - green sludgy water.  Susan and Pete are not amused and would like to know whether he has a shower on board!!!

Susan and Pete find it hard again to get used to turning off the electric and using the water sparingly.  Susan comments that it is also getting dark by 8:30 pm.  All happy to be back on the cut.

Total 1 mile

Tuesday:

Once we set off, Susan and Mazey have trouble opening the Sell's Green Swing-bridge.  Susan said it was a nightmare.  The following one was easier and the 3 locks were not too difficult either - despite Susan temporarily forgetting how to do them.  Pete says that he would like to do more physical stuff and that he wants Susan to drive more.

We moor at Seend Cleeve opposite The Barge Inn where the family go for some lunch.  They spot a boater cycling back to his boat with a dead rabbit hanging from his handlebar.  Pete says it must be dinner.  A nice mooring.

The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve
Both Susan and Pete are amazed at the beautiful sunset and the rise of the 'supermoon'.

Sunset on the Kennet and Avon
Supermoon at The Barge Inn mooring

Sunset on the Kennet and Avon


Total 3 locks, 2 swing-bridges and 1.5 miles

Wednesday:

Today Susan drives whilst Pete and Mazey do the locks.  We go through 2 locks and moor in a 24-hour mooring at Seend Lower Lock.

The family walk to Bowerhill where there is a handy Tesco Express.  It is about 1.5 miles away.

Seend Lower Lock moorings
Total 2 locks and 0.5 miles

Thursday:

Pete drives most of the way except when we get to swing-bridges or locks.  Susan takes control of me whilst Pete does the hard work.

Pete has an audience at the swing-bridge
We arrive at Semington 24-hour moorings near the derelict Wilts and Berks canal.

A working boat going through a swing-bridge
Total 3 swing-bridges, 2 locks and 1.75 miles

Friday/Saturday and Sunday:

A chilly morning greets us today.  Pete drives whilst Susan cleans me on the inside except for when we get to a swing-bridge then Susan takes over.

Pete pulls up after bridge 165 (Hilperton Marsh Bridge) as he saw a kingfisher and thought this would be a good place to stop.  This is a rural mooring.  We can stay here for up to two weeks if we want to.


The family go for a short walk and Mazey has great fun barking at the dogs on the opposite bank...

Barking dogs

Lots of boats go past us and there are many cyclists on the narrow towpath.  The plan will be to go to Bradford-on-Avon on Monday as the family feel it will be very busy over the weekend and difficult to find a mooring.  The family need to be back in the marina on Thursday evening plenty of time yet.

Susan and Pete have enjoyed trying to take photos of a heron and keeping a watch out for the kingfisher (not seen yet!)

The following are photos taken by Susan on Friday and Saturday.

Cow chilling in a field

Heron fishing

Squirrel collecting its nuts!
Total 1 swing-bridge, 2.25 miles

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