Living in a hallway: You call that Summer?

After nearly a fortnight on the Kennet and Avon, as a canal its a little disappointing. There's a distinct lack of quality moorings, and heaps of shit box boats cluttering up the place. We think this is where the hippies have to come to die.

We've still managed to find some quaint villages and interesting sites to see. One of the highlights being the beam steam engines at Crofton. They used to pump the water to the top of the canal at Crofton to feed the system. They're still operational and can be used as a back up to top up the system when necessary. One of the engines is over 200 years old.

An interesting feature of this canal is that it was part of the GHQ Line during the second world war. A lot of the defence's are still in place, there are pill boxes everywhere and some of the bridges still have the concrete bollards to stop the tanks.

Another unusual feature are the turf locks, there are are two remaining which are listed as Ancient Monuments. Quite impressive that an ancient monument is still in use.

On our way to Pewsey lo and behold we ran into our old mates Mary and Colin on Wigtwizle, moored up at Wootten Rivers. Its always nice to catch up with a familiar face or two on the cut, especially when they are Aussies. Hopefully we will see them again on our way back up the Oxford.

After leaving Kintbury heading for Great Bedwyn we picked up a hitchhiker, a fellow boat person who was waiting for some new batteries to be delivered to the pub. He was out for a wander and heading for Hungerford. He had to work for his passage and help with the locks. (2 Crew members is the perfect number).

We are now on our way back towards the Thames and the Oxford Canal.

As you might have gathered from the title the weather has deteriorated. Only one BBQ in the last fortnight and a couple of days of serious rain. We tried to beat the weather this morning and were making good time traveling with another boat. About an hour from our destination (Hungerford) it started and we are all saturated. :(

No video this week so you will just have to look at the pictures.