The Kennett and Avon Canal
The Kennett and Avon has always been a canal we avoided. The thought of all those locks, no matter which way one turns, put us off. A pity, because it has some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern England. Our good friends John and Pauline Ridgewell have cruised this canal, and sent us a great report of the trip, Thanks John and pauline Found Stella in Bradford-on-Avon where she had been safely left by Muriel and Peter. Unloaded the car and went to Devizes to leave it at the marina for the end of our trip next week. Got a taxi back to Stella for £27 – the driver said we did well to negotiate the price with the office beforehand! Spent the afternoon in Bradford and decided it was so nice that we would stay overnight and have another wander in the morning.
We thought we should really do some cruising and headed towards Bath via the Avoncliffe and Dundas aqueducts. We moored for the night at Bathampton and decided the moorings were so good that we would go to Bath tomorrow and return to Bathampton in the evening. 
Bellringing theme day…Pauline rang the bells for morning service at Bathampton, then we left for Bath and moored near Sydney Gardens and walked to the city centre. Pauline had Bellringer ale at our lunchtime stop. We explored part of the town and then walked back up the canal from the river past all the locks we had avoided and stopped for a drink in the Ring o’ Bells Italian restaurant.
We then cruised back to Bathampton and moored ‘one ring up’ from where we had been the previous night! Left Bathampton and cruised to the Claverton Pumping Station which had one of its rare pumping days today – Bank Holiday Monday. A thoroughly interesting stop. Left Claverton and cruised to Bradford-on-Avon where the lockside was packed with spectators, but we performed an immaculate piece of locking with no ropes, being pinned to the side of the lock on our ascent due to skilful ‘paddle work’ by Pauline. 
Did a bit of shopping whilst we filled with water and then ambled to our overnight stop at Hilperton Walked into Semington for newspaper and a few supplies and then visited the pretty village church. We then travelled to Seend and moored above the top lock in a very rural location. Weather very warm – BBQ time!
Walked into Seend for newspaper etc. then walked back to Stella via Seend Cleeve. Found we were aground as the water level had dropped a bit – much pushing, shoving and swearing ensued! We cruised for a short while and then moored at Sells Green. 
29 locks to go! We took 7 hours to negotiate them all as we were following other boats up the flight and had to set nearly all the locks for Stella. Luckily we were sharing with ‘Snails Pace’ and shared the work.
At Devizes we visited the K & A shop to purchase a ‘Caen Hill flight’ plaque to mark our achievement but got there just after it had shut. Enjoyed a ‘last night’ meal and wine at The Hourglass which is the new pub/restaurant next to the marina.
Pearson's Canal Companion: Kennet and Avon and Middle Thames (Pearsons Canal Companions) And here is a very good DVD as well, well worth purchasing. And to get an idea of the fine craft available for cruising the Kennet and Avon, have a look at the Ango Welsh fleet at Bath ,or Monkton Combe You will love them Back to Great Canal and River Holidays Home Page.
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