Monday 19th August - Hungerford to Kintbury
This week is a short cruising week as we are only going as far as Newbury. Here we have booked the boat into a marina and will be leaving it for a week whilst we visit family in Southampton and pay a flying visit to Worcester for a car MOT and to change summer clothes for autumn clothes.
We left Hungerford on a pleasant sunny morning and Toby and I walked all the way to Kintbury doing the locks as we went. It was a very pleasant walk and Dave enjoyed having the boat to himself for a while!
Once we had moored we had lunch and set out for a walk out towards Titcomb. Kintbury Church was a Saxon Minster, but most of the current building dates from the 12th century.
This delightful cottage has mullioned windows and shutters, no idea where it dates back to, but it looks as though it could do with some TLC.
Heading towards Titcomb across open countryside, it really was a delightful walk and Toby was really enjoying himself!
Tuesday 20th August - Kintbury
Today we are having a quiet day in Kintbury with another walk and the chance to enjoy the sunshine sitting on the towpath.
I took this photo from the side hatch of two visiting ducks. I think it clearly shows the new plumage coming through on the male duck. I learnt the other day that male ducks lose their colourful feathers after the breeding season and whilst they are looking after the ducklings. As they also lose their flight feathers they are unable to fly and seek safe places until their feathers grow back.
Whilst we were reading on the towpath, we met Ray who makes candlestick holders out of horseshoes and other reclaimed iron. All proceeds from his sales go to Cancer Research, so we couldn't refuse and bought a candle holder for the boat.
Yes this really does look as though the railway track is heading off up to the sky, but in fact these reclaimed tracks are holding the exterior bricks of the bridge together, giving much needed support.
Our walk today took us out towards Hamstead Marshall, we remember having a babysitter and visiting the White Hart Inn whilst we lived in Thatcham, it was a lovely pub with an Italian restaurant in those days. This is taken from the top of Irish Hill looking down to the canal and the river.
The canal and the river are separated by a narrow strip with the towpath on, Toby loved swimming in the river where he could easily get in and out.
Wednesday 21st August - Kintbury to Newbury
Early morning in Kintbury, with the mist rising off the canal and the sun rising in the distance, looks like another pleasant day for cruising.
Dave and I swapped locking duties, he walked some of the way and so did I, here Dave was able to get a shot of Ella cruising under the Newbury By-Pass, a huge concrete monstrosity.
We were very fortunate again today to join forces with another boat going down the locks. Nb Somerton is a share boat from a marina near Aldermaston. Quite a stunning picture of both narrowboats!
We managed to moor up at West Mills, above Newbury Lock and opposite the weir. A very pleasant mooring, peaceful apart from the swans squabbling amongst themselves.
We went for a walk through Newbury where Dave managed to get his hair cut, then we went to The Lock, Stock and Barrel for a drink. Today is Toby's birthday, he is 5 years old and Dave had promised to get him some pork scratchings. However they didn't have any, so the chef prepared Toby some carrot instead, bless him!
Thursday 22nd August - West Mills to Newbury Marina
Today we are moving Ella down through Newbury Lock to Newbury Marina where she will be moored for a week. Ella is the narrowboat above the lock.
Friday 23rd August - Sunday 25th August - Belasco BBQ
Friday we hired a car and drove down to Annie and Pete's for the weekend.
Our two granddaughters together with Lizzie,
Auntie Laura keeping Alba entertained during the BBQ. The BBQ was a great success, excellent cooking and organisation by Pete and Annie. It was great to catch up with all our family and all Pete's family as well, and the weather was amazing!
Then we returned to Newbury on Sunday. Next week we shall spend some of it in Worcester before continuing with our cruise.
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