Since we last chatted, we returned to the marina for a week. The 'family' visited Lorraine and Pat to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. A surprise party was organised by Emma, Janine and Vicky at Emma and Barclay's house in Loughton. It was 'brilliant' Susan said.
Pete and Susan are busy cleaning me both inside and out. I also get a fresh coat of paint down one side. There are amazing sunsets in the marina over the next few days. Very pretty!
 |
| Sunset in Caen Hill Marina |
We have had an invasion of Daddy Long Legs. I am covered in them........
Thursday, 25th September to Sunday, 28th September:
We moor in Sell's Green again. Lovely spot. Susan and Mazey go for a walk to look at the views over the countryside and see Alpacas in a field. The weather is very good on Saturday and Sunday.
 |
| Alpacas |
 |
| Wiltshire - View of countryside |
Monday, 29th September
Susan and Mazey prepare the 2 swing-bridges and 5 locks as we cruise to the bottom Seend Lock.
Susan walks to the Tesco Express whilst Pete fishes. He catches two large fish. In the evening Susan and Pete do a little bit of research on Ancestory to find out about their family history.
Total: 2 swing-bridges, 5 locks, 1.25 miles - Seend Bottom Lock
Tuesday, 30th September and Wednesday, 1st October
It is a warm sunny day and Pete is happy to spot a few Kingfishers.
Susan and Mazey prepare all the swing-bridges and locks. We moor up in the same spot as on 12th September. The 'family' like it here. Fields, farmland and a few boats.
Susan walks to the local convenience store which also has a post office and gets some milk.
Wednesday, we stay put. Susan walks into Trowbridge approx. 1.5 miles. Susan said that it was a nice walk. Trowbridge is a small town and she has time to investigate Castle Market and The Shires. Susan even pops in to have a haircut as well as a coffee in Costa.
Susan tells Pete that it is worth investigating Downs Cemetry, St James Church and the 'Toll' house as she feels interesting photos could be taken. All have interesting architecture. Perhaps on our return journey Susan will get the opportunity to go and take more photos.
Total: 4 swing-bridges, 2 locks, 4 miles
Thursday, 2nd October
Susan had a bad night.... there was a terrible smell that burnt her eyes, nose and throat. A farmer lit a fire in his field during the day and it was still smouldering through the night. Pete tries to close all the air vents to keep the fumes out.
We set off for Bradford-on-Avon. An easy cruise. Lots of boats but no swing-bridges or locks to do today. Pete locates Sainsbury's which is across bridge 171 and goes and gets some food shopping.
 |
| Bradford on Avon Lock |
Friday, 3 October
We fill up with water and go through the lock. Susan does not need to do much as there are volunteers at the lock today.
We cross Avoncliffe Aqueduct. It is beautiful along here. However, there is a very large ledge which stops people from mooring after the aqueduct. Despite the safety railings the stone built aqueduct is beautiful. The pale-coloured local stone is used throughout the area in buildings.
 |
| Avoncliffe Aqueduct |
 |
| Stone built Avoncliffe Aqueduct |
 |
| Ducks on patrol |
 |
| Canal Art |
 |
| Our mooring |
We decide to stay here today despite the huge ledge and the possibility of being stranded on it. It rains heavily in the morning so Pete comments that it will be OK. Susan goes for a walk to search out a telephone signal. On route she hears loud noises in the wood. As she approaches a bridge there are 4 farmers and they have lost 7 calves. They were frightened by something and jumped the fence. Susan was able to direct them to where they were. Susan was thankful that she had not been walking along the canal towpath when they were running along it...... They were all found and herded back across the bridge into the field.
 |
| Escaped Cows |
After watching the Japanese Grand Prix, we move to Dundas Aqueduct. We moor near the entrance to Somerset Coal Canal which leads to Brass Knocker Basin. It is very busy here with lots of tourists.
 |
| Dundas Aqueduct |
 |
| Dundas Wharf |
A bit of history: This canal was opened in 1805 which was to help move coal from Somerset to Bath, Bristol and the rest of the UK. The canal was used throughout the 19th century but competition from roads finally stopped the coal being transported for 30 collieries and was abandoned in 1904. A quarter of a mile of this has now been restored and is used by a boatyard, holiday company and for moorings.
 |
| Somerset Coal Canal Entrance |
 |
| Private moorings on Somerset Coal Canal |
 |
| End of Somerset Coal Canal |
 |
| Nr. Claverton Pumping Station |
Pete decides to stay another day as it is pouring with rain. He fills-up with water and manages to get a pump-out despite Pete losing the first pump-out card!! I am moored back where I started from this morning. Pete was extremely wet!!
Total 2 miles
