Wallingford (see previous blog) was an excellent stop and Flo wanted to stay for an extra day and relax on the bank, taking in the sun. The problem was that the long term weather forecast was grim, we were planning each day the night before, and unfortuately there was only one reasonable day left before the rain came back. So, on Wednesday we set off heading for the K&A.
The journey was straight forward all the way to Reading, stopping at the Tesco moorings to stock up, before turning right onto the K&A. If you’re wondering why we didn’t stop anywhere on the way it was because we’d done the Thames last year and stopped at most of the recommemded places, such as Goring, etc.
This is our first time on this canal and turning into Reading is not an impressive start, and certainly does not encourage you to stop. Passing through the old and eventually reaching the newer shopping complex it’s obvious that Reading is not interested in inviting boaters to visit the town. The first lock on on K&A is a little strange in so much as the lock mechanism is operated by what can only be described as a metal ships wheel. No key or other locking required so you can imagine the fun kids must have emptying and filling the lock (see pic). There is an interesting set of canal traffic lights that you need to activate before you can proceed through the Brewery Cut, the canal is very narrow, the flow is strong, and each way is ‘one way traffic’.
We had met a guy early in the day on the Thames that told us that he had nearly been sunk at Fobney Lock due to the pressure of water when filling the lock. He warned us to open the paddles very slowly, only a couple of clicks. The problem seems to be that the locks on the first section of the K&A only have gate paddles, resulting in an extremely strong a dangerous surge of water if opened to fully, too quickly. He was so right, Flo opened one paddle 2 clicks only and the water spout shot 5 feet into the air. Any boat’s bow near the front of the lock would have been filled in seconds. White water boating was to be the order of all the following locks. They also leak like buggery and even though gallons of water spurt in it still takes forever to fill, seems longer when you are trying to hold the boat still. Moored for the night just passed the lock.
Before moving off on Thursday we spent some time trying to source a spare Thetfored cassette waste water tank. The idea was to order from a chandlery down stream and pick up on passing. It sounded easy, but after ringing numerous marina/chandlers we were not achieving anything so decided to chugg on after the rain had stopped. We reached Garston Lock, the only remaining turf sided chamber on the system, where we met a guy called Mick Hammond who is travelling with his wife to Brinklow on the Oxford. Flo asked him if he new of a likely chandlery to find a tank. We couldn’t have met a more helpful person, it transpired that Mick is the manager of Frouds Bridge Marina, less than a day’s travel away, and he grabbed his mobile, rang his marina and had one ordered for delivery by lunch next day. Many thanks Mick.
The railway is a constant companion on this part of the canal and we were lucky enough to see the steam train ‘Oliver Cromwell ’ pass pulling around 8 original carriages. We came across our first scalloped-sided lock yesterday, one of two so far. They are really quite pretty, if one can have a pretty lock. (see pic).
It’s now Saturday, moored at Woolhampton before racing the rain to Newbury tomorrow. We cannot have had all our summer sunshine, it must come back soon!!!
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