CribBlog August 5 Leaving the Row Barge

It has proved surprisingly difficult to leave the Row Barge. Moved myself off the 48 hour moorings [one boat length] but expected to be moving on quite soon. Lined Andrew and Sonia up for a day of boating pleasure but it turned out that 5 hours of boating up to their home in Newbury was not to their liking so we spent, a very rainy, afternoon in the Row Barge who dispense real ales and builder's tea.

We did visit Cribbit on her mooring and found that someone had nicked my fenders. even more annoying as they were not fendering anything being well out from the shallow bank.

Then it was Terry's turn to join me who offered me lunch at his expense, at least the teapot did not make an appearance but our progress suffered a short hiatus.

In this section, canal and railway keep close company so we have made full use of both forms of transport with Terry doing sterling work in commuting between car and boat by rail.

A notable emporium in Woolhampton.

Terry's dream job, hand bra fitter for Fitelle

The lunch at the Row Barge was so good we didn't manage a single photograph as we went through Newbury. This is the first swing bridge beyond ..

Terry the bridge swinger

The lock slave.......

...and now the helmsman, does the captain ever do any work? [As a manager he was renowned for his teflon desk.]

Terry and pillbox, saving the nation from the nazis.

Turf sided lock.

Moored on Benham lock bollards waiting for the lock to be repaired at 0800 tomorrow

NB Bodger with Paul and Deb

Terry also dashing commuter, chauffeur and BBQ chef, is there no end to this man?

Thanks to Paul for some of the following pics.

Up early next morning and joined Bodger in the lock.

A backlog of down traffic.

Moored at . Hungerford Wharf Terry by train for the car and brother Mike, me to the shops for supplies. A good village butcher.

Mike and Terry

Moored at Bedwyn Church lock, kingfisher on the boat in front. Beer at the Cross Keys in Great Bedwyn

Lock 62 in the Crofton flight with the Crofton Steam pumping engine nearby. .

Bridge 64.

Lots of off-cut excitement.

Here she comes.

Steam locomotive Brittania

Paul's 'proper' pic of Brittania

Bit like a dogging site, balding old men pop out of the bushes all over the place.

Meanwile we chug on before the smoke has even cleared.

Helping the Bruce Trust wb Hannah through the lock

Paul and Deb tie up for the day and we carry on through the Bruce tunnel.

Entrance to the Bruce tunnel .

This one was so leaky, Like New York, New York, Terry had to do ot twice.

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