We have had sunshine for the last 2 days and are now moored at Bradford on Avon (the return). Yesterday everyone within a 10 mile radius of the canal must have decided to come out and either walk, cycle or boat along it. It was manic. We had 2 boats at different times that were obvious 'Sunday drivers' going at less than 1mph (seriously). John had to go into reverse several times just to keep some control over the position. Whilst overtaking the second one (the first one just pulled in before we lost the will to live), with permission I might add, we were hailed from the bank by a cyclist who we realised was our mate Pam, with Steve and lots of her family in tow. Shouting across the slow boat, we arranged to meet in Bradford later.
Hearts were in our mouths as there were no moorings and we went up the lock wondering what was ahead of us when low and behold, a mooring appeared so here we are.
We stopped on the way at Claverton as there is a pumping station there. It was a bit of a non-event though as apparently the floods last year damaged the mechanism and so they have decided to keep it shut this year for repair. It wasn't even the most photogenic of places but here it is in any case, just to save anyone else from having to go down to see it!
Just some of the crowds on Dundas Aqueduct, this is what happens when we have sun on a Bank Holiday!
Here's another one for the unusual boat album. We weren't sure if it had originally been a trip boat when we went past it the first time, this time still left us with no answers!
Steve and Pam with her son Richard, his wife Louise and baby Isobel (have a feeling that they spell it a different way, sorry!) and Louise's parents, plus John of course. They had hoped for cream teas but they had just run out so just tea and cakes (apart from me who was being good).
Ikey doesn't like having her photo taken so here she is!
Dave, John, Ikey, Chris and Sarah at the Barge Inn enjoying what I have to say was a brilliant lunch. I'm getting a real taste for Pimms by the way.
After they had gone we took Paddy along the canal as we'd had a text from Ian and Allison saying they were on their way. Whilst looking for them we came across a group of people looking at the opposite bank and there, believe it or not was a kingfisher. It sat on the branch, with an occasional hop up and back for over 15 minutes whilst people who'd remembered their cameras were taking photos and boats were going past. It was amazing. John thought it was probably a young one who wasn't sure what to do and was waiting for a parent to come along for guidance.
All I had was my phone and you'll just have to believe me that on the branch in the middle of the picture is a kingfisher facing the camera, so it's the orange breast rather than the blue back that is (or isn't) visible. Hopefully Dave got a better shot as they came by at that point and maybe I can get a picture from him. They are now moored a bit ahead of us and we are looking forward to spending a bit of time together before we leave on Wednesday to get to Sells Green before going up the Caen flight on Thursday.
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