7th July '15

A busy couple of days. We left Bathampton yesterday early(ish) and filled up with water while the supply was handy.
The trip was fairly uneventful apart from the section between Dundas and Avoncliffe aqueducts. We came across an old workboat, jammed across the winding hole, and the young couple at a loss. They'd been turning there for years apparently but it's got silted up. Another boat had come from the other direction and was trying to puss the bow around, but not much was happening. Eventually we decided that if we took their front rope and pulled it, they might get moving, as John was sure he could see some movement. So we pulled, the other boat pushed and eventually there was a slight move in the right direction. A couple more tugs and they were clear. Then they pulled us out of the reeds and mud that we'd got into, as we were worried about the prop. However all was well and all three boats went on their merry way! It was lucky it wasn't a Friday when all the hire boats were out, as it would have been chaos. At least we provided some good footage for the pedestrians cameras.
Bradford on Avon was very quiet with only one other boat on the good moorings when we arrived. They filled up quickly, but we were moored nicely, close to the Tithe barn and the park for walking Paddy.
Steve and Pam came late afternoon and we went to the Dandy Lion for a meal. Three of us had the burger on special, venison, black pudding and Stilton. Ooooh was it yummy!
Next to our mooring there's some work going on with rebuilding an old wall in the precincts of the tithe barn. CRT volunteers were doing it so I went and had a chat. It's going to be lovely when it's done, a long job but well worth the effort. You have to admire the skill of some of these fellows.
Jan and Rog came late morning today and we went around the town looking at all the arty craft shops and buying odd bits and pieces. It's a lovely little place, very picturesque. We had lunch at the Swan and after a quick visit to the boat for a cuppa they caught their train, we got some groceries and now we're ready for the off in the morning.
It's been lovely seeing people but I won't be sorry to get back to the diet! Feel so stuffed at the moment.
It's lovely and sunny now but rain is forecast, so just hope it's nice tomorrow.