Casting off this morning soon saw us into one of only two "turf sided" locks that remain on the system and is seen as so important that they have been designated as ancient monuments by English Heritage.
Oooh, where's the end gone?
A rebuild Turf Lock
A little further on Woolhampton lock was interesting. It is immediately followed by a swing bridge and to make matters worse, there is a flow downstream. The bridge has to be swung before leaving the lock tail and then care has to taken in the flow in order to pick up crew.
At Aldermaston there is a huge lift bridge that is, fortunately, self operated hydraulically.
We moored the night at Theale after visiting Sainsburys on our bikes in order to stock up with food and white wine. Not finished one bottle of red this trip as it is too hot! Very dodgy route to the supy crossing the M4 junction and pedalling off down the A4. It was good to get back to the moorings, spruce up and spend a very pleasant evening at the Fox and Hounds with Pat and Angela. Excellent food and ales.
Wednesday 17th
We all gave ourselves an extra half hour in bed this morning not casting off until 7:30am. We soon came upon the other "turf sided" lock. Containment of boats in this lock has been achieved by the insertion iron pilings. These iron pilings are in fact Brunel's original broad gauge rails that were forged in the shape of an Omega as shown in the photograph.
After passing through Blake's lock that is the last on the K&A (106 locks and 93 miles after leaving Bristol) we reach the junction with the mighty River Thames. Turning the corner onto this magnificent river we briefly visited Tesco for some milk before it was time for a team photee in case we didn't meet up with Pat and Angela again.
Words cannot describe the beauty of this river where opulent riverside properties abound.
After two hours or so we found a superbly peaceful mooring where it will be a delight to spend a wonderful summers' evening.
Excellent weather for it!
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