We are moored at Sheffield Lock for a day so that we can go on to Reading tomorrow.
Yesterday was an interesting day. Nearly every lock against us and not a single boat to share with. A couple of times boats were coming in as we were going out but most of the time we found them empty.
Strangely the exception to this was Monkey Marsh lock, which SHOULD have been left empty as it's one of the turf locks, but the hire boat that had left it, got confused and rather than emptying it left it full with the top paddles open to ensure it remained full!
We had problems with Towney Lock. For a start it took ages to fill and John was concerned with one of the bottom gates that appeared to not be at the right angle. Then when he went to open a top gate for me, it didn't open properly so he had to go around and open the other one as well. Then when I was in it the top gate was leaking so much that it took ages to empty, compounded by the fact that one of the bottom paddles was jammed and John couldn't open it until there was very little pressure on it and then he bashed it and it opened perfectly for the last few inches!
Leaking top gates.
Top paddle not opened.
We'd had a walk around Woolhampton the previous evening. Not much there but very picturesque.
The old pump in the village, in the evening sun. Note my long shadow taking the photo! A beautiful evening though.
A rather beautiful lamp on a building that had originally been a memorial hall and now appeared to be a private house. I can't help wondering how the family who had contributed the money to build it in the first place would feel about this. It made me sad.
Ye Olde Corner Shoppe. Another lovely building, on the opposite corner to the pump.
Today we walked into Theale. Nothing picturesque but a lot more in the way of useful shops, plus enough hairdressers to keep anyone well groomed! I was dismayed to see a roadsign that said "Reading 1m" ONE MILE???? it's about 3 hours by boat......There must be A. a very straight road and B. a lot of turns on the river.
Yesterday it became really hot and I took Paddy for a walk where he found a nice shallow bit to paddle in. Today it's not so warm so we're just relaxing inside.
The knitting's come out again and slow progress is being made. Somehow knitting Aran isn't so appealing in the heat!
My brain is all over the place today (OK so that's not unusual) but we stopped at Aldermaston yesterday to fill up and empty the cassette and you'll be pleased to hear that someone was actually cleaning the Elsan disposal. After the experience the men had last week, this came as a blessed relief, mind you it was after John had done his so maybe not such a lot of relief for him!
Jason and I had commented on the length of Aldermaston lock as we were going up. There is no standard measurement at all, both length and width. They are all theoretically 14' wide to take the wide beams but some of the gates could well be restrictive for them, but some are more than ample.
Looking back in Aldermaston Lock.
Looking forward from the same point. We are 62' and I reckon the lock must be almost 100' long minus the cill I suppose, but it's long for a canal/ river lock.
That has probably pushed my mathematics to the limit. We have texted the Bel and the Dragon re a mooring tomorrow night but have not heard back. May try to ring them tonight, otherwise it's the back of the gaol for us again.
Paddy is not happy to be staying still, he was trying to get up the back this morning. Bless. If we get into the nice mooring he'll be confused all over again since we have to go out the back there. He seems over whatever was ailing him. John thinks he got too hot, so we shall have to wait and see how he does in the future. He certainly won't be overheating today!
Nice to year they have cleaned that blessed Eleanor point!! I see I'm still making a mention in the blog - Its got to be a record!!
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