Monday 26th - Thursday 29th August - Worcester
We have taken the opportunity to return to the flat in Worcester for a few days in order to achieve a number of routine tasks such as tax the car, collect medication, contact lenses and maintenance in the flat. We also bought new plants and tidied up the flower tubs.
After a short hop from Newbury we arrived in Thatcham and moored up a stones throw from the railway station. We walked into the town and visited all the places we knew when we lived here 30 years ago.
The Burdwood Centre where Lizzie and Laura both did Tumble Tots, good to see that the company is still going strong.
This building used to be a Little Chef and when Granny used to come and babysit the girls they would often have their tea there!
Francis Bailey School where Lizzie and Laura both started their schooling, Lizzie left when she was in the Juniors and Laura left when she was in the Infants.
Elms Avenue where we spent 6 years and where Annie came into the world. The house looks much the same on the outside, although we didn't have the creeper.
St Matthews, Midgham was built in 1869 by Benjamin Buck Greene, the owner of Midgham Park . The church spire can be clearly seen from the canal, railway and major roads.
I think this could be my favourite lock on the K&A, Ufton Lock leading to Ufton Swing Bridge - the lock has been abandoned, the gates removed, just the shape of the lock left.
Friday 30th August - Newbury Marina to Thatcham
After a short hop from Newbury we arrived in Thatcham and moored up a stones throw from the railway station. We walked into the town and visited all the places we knew when we lived here 30 years ago.
The Burdwood Centre where Lizzie and Laura both did Tumble Tots, good to see that the company is still going strong.
This building used to be a Little Chef and when Granny used to come and babysit the girls they would often have their tea there!
Francis Bailey School where Lizzie and Laura both started their schooling, Lizzie left when she was in the Juniors and Laura left when she was in the Infants.
Elms Avenue where we spent 6 years and where Annie came into the world. The house looks much the same on the outside, although we didn't have the creeper.
The church where Annie was christened and I was confirmed, the vicar in those days was Peter Sears. We didn't feel as though Thatcham had changed much, the square looked much the same and our little street, but there was major roadworks going on across the road on flood alleviaton works.
3.5 miles, 5 locks, 2 moveable bridges, 2 hours 42 mins cruising time.
Saturday 31st August - Thatcham to Woolhampton
A very smart row of cottages at Colthrop Mill. The Colthrop Cottages date back 100 years or so and were built for Workers at the Colthrop Mills. Mr and Mrs Nightingale, who lived at number 20, established the local shop that was used by residents until the 1950’s when the mill opened its canteen.
We moored up for the night above Woolhampton Lock. This boat is moored below the lock to protect the garden from boats crashing into their bank. The River Kennet flows rapidly in from the right and can catch the unwary boater and sweep them across to the side. Whilst we were moored we met a couple, Di and Mark, on a recently built Bourne boat, NBEnbilulu and we swapped stories about the boats and the builders.
2.75 miles, 3 locks, 2 moveable bridges, 1 hour 54 mins cruising time.
Sunday 1st September - Woolhampton to Burghfield
I think this could be my favourite lock on the K&A, Ufton Lock leading to Ufton Swing Bridge - the lock has been abandoned, the gates removed, just the shape of the lock left.
Here are the two Bourne boats side by side in Burghfield Lock, a pair of lovely looking boats. We moored for the night outside the Cunning Man pub and so we come to the end of a very short week of cruising.
8.25 miles, 9 locks, 7 moveable bridges, 6 hours 18 mins cruising time.
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