Narrowboat Holiday
7-14 May 2022

Sat 7th May:
Left Hilperton late afternoon cruised to Bradford-on-Avon, through Lock moored not far beyond the Tithe Barn, Ralph´s Curry for dinner.

Sun 8th May:
am. Continued towards Avoncliff where we topped up water.

Crossed aqueduct and moored up for lunch opposite Freshford Station. pm. Motored on across Dundas Aqueduct and moored just beyond it, Looked at Aqueduct surrounding, Brian´s Pork casserole for dinner.

Mon 9th May:

am. Walked to café at Somerset Coal Canal

Then on to east of Sydney Gardens, Bath where we moored for 2 nights. Later we all walked on canal bank to Bath top Lock. Then down the steps and across the bridge into town for Cornish Pasties before catching the bus back to the narrow boat.

Tues 10th May:
Marie & Paulene into Bath shopping: B to Sydney Gardens to photo trains ( then slow walk along Great Pulteney Street, along river by weir – then bus back to boat. pm. B return to Pulteney Bridge to coin shop!) PM+B along canal bank, M+B to river Avon bridge. Sausage dinner on boat.

Wed 11th May:
After breakfast, motored in the pouring rain through Sydney Garden to winding hole before Bathwick Hill + back to Bathampton. lunch at the George Inn. B walked to post office in Bathampton to Post a card to Check Republic for Roachim. M+P walked to Batheaston Toll bridge + back.

Motored to water tap under the bridge and tied up again. Marie put the hose in the water filler after a while said "its taking a long time!" Then on across Dundas Aqueduct and moored opposite Freshford at Murhill. Salad tea:

P+M short walkalong canal path. Over night at Murhill

Thur 12th May:
M+P walked to and over bridge and up to Murhill village and back to site of Murhill Tramway on canal path. B short walk to bridge + back. Later we moved on to Avoncliff Aqueduct. Had lunch at the Cross Guns, then looked around Aqueduct. Later pm. all walked down to Avoncliff weir and along river Avon, over night near Avoncliff on a new section of canal bank but still no rings.

Fri 13th May:
Marie & Paulene walked along canal towpath to Bradford on Avon. B+ R motored on behind, Marie phoned to say there was a spot large enough for the Narrowboat alongside the Tithe Barn and when we arrived, we had to back up to them; then turn and motor in to the side. We had assistance to pull us alongside.

Here Brian observed the mile marker was a broad-gauge rail with a board bolted on.

Rather than Jumping ashore we moved the plank to the front. Paulene and Brian as the fit two; were doing the hard work of leaping ashore and knocking in the mooring spikes. We then walked along the footpath and over a Bridge over the River Avon to The Church of St. Laurence thought to be dated back to AD. 709 in time of St. Aldhelm.

With waitresses dressed-up and quaint setup, Marie and Ralph shared a slice of Plum & almond cake, Paulene shared a slice of Walnut cake with Brian. Then he went over to the Co-op Shop and after P+M went round the market and Brian took me to The Iron Duke Calendar Machine displayed in Kingston Road. B went photographing R sat in the park while we waited for the girls to finish looking at the Market and Artwork. Then we walked back to the Tithe Barn and looked around. P+B went to the Workshops.

We then got ready to go through the Lock as we approached we saw a large gush of water at the bottom gate, and when the gate opened, and after the boat came out, we went right into the Lock. We were helped to operate the lock Paddles so Paulene Marie & Brian got back on board before we left the lock. We went only a little way & Brian said "This could be big enough!" and we moored up about 200yds from the Lock M+P went back for some ice-creams but as it was closing only got a Magnum each.

We motored on between Bridge 168 & 169 where there were Aqueducts over a River & Railway so well-chosen B. Maybe a curry dinner ( There were only chicken in white sauce tins ) was well adjusted by Marie for Chicken Sausages in white sauce with rice, before our last night on board.

Sat 14th May:
Started the Motor at 07:00hrs had cereals and toast for breakfast and set of at 08:00hrs it only took 20min before we were alongside Hilperton Yard and then the canal marina staff were refilling Sea Eagle with diesel.