Dr Bradley

yes at the Cunning Man. I thought a small part was original, the rest new build. Not my sort of pub. No problem at Frodney Lock.

No, it's the next lock. I'll let you know later today.

My last day on the K&A as I'm on the outskirts of Reading and will be on the Thames shortly. I've enjoyed the canal which has it's highlights. Bradford is stunning and worth the trip on its own. The Cain Hill flight is one of the wonders of the waterway and is indeed a hard day. I got lucky with company there and would struggle to single hand the lot in a day. Several excellent pubs, especially at the Western end and I met plenty of people either in those pubs or on the cut, spending days travelling with some and others just a few lockwords. It has taken longer than expected but this has mostly been because I stopped so often to enjoy the towns around. I'd been told and read how hard this canal is. It's not. Through over a hundred locks only three paddles not working and one missing. Only two locks leaking badly enough to cause any problem, only one gate difficult to close because the walkway was catching on the ground and required the jemmy to lift it, and a similar problem with a bridge, but the landings are all easy and on the right side. I doubt anyone would find the northern broad canals as easy, certainly not the Rochdale or Huddersfield (even though narrow) or the swing bridges on the L&L which can be sods. I don't really know what to expect of the Thames but I'm heading to London as quickly as I can then a more leisurely return along the full length.

O dear. However I am quite used to that.

Ambling along the K&A I have just realised how far behind my schedule I have slipped. I intended to be in Limehouse by the 23rd and I'm in Great Bedwyn. I need to get a move on.

There have been times when I climbed gates, in particular on the Huddersfield and the Beeston Iron Lock. If your reasonably agile it's not that difficult. I have found a very few ladders hat feel unsafe, mostly due to being loose. Never had a problem with insufficient toe holds. (I am an ex climber, that may hep),

Ok. I'll be in Newbury in a few days. Let's meet up and talk because I think your original post is appalling. Anyone else going to be local and want to join in? Ps My first greenie ever went to Dean

That would be good.

After my estuary thread thought I'd update this. I called at the Angel at Wyre Piddle and very pleasant it was. The Avon was well worth the many extra miles and locks but they seem a bit over zealous on rules and regulations. Requiring both ends of the boat secured is not safe when single handing as in an emergency it takes too long to release the boat. The lockie at Tewkesbury insisted I secure my boat in a manner I considered dangerous as I had no way of preventing it drifting back over the cill, in fact the forward rope was actually pulling it back. Soon changed that. Now travelling up the K&A and at Bradford which is a gem. Though mooring between Bath and Bradford can prove tricky as it is an almost continuous line of moored boats. Oh and the Cross Guns is an excellent pub worthy of a longer stay.

Didn't

Hand held compass (2) on a metal boat. With good visibility and all the leading lines to aim for a compass was not needed. Normally I agree it's essential. I'm really going to have to consider this problem when I do the Wash. Can hardly put together a deviation graph single handed on a narrowboat whilst on the canal. Any ideas?

I didn't have GPS or a plotter, and my compass was useless, but basic old fashioned pilotage was good enough. I would never rely on the electronic stuff, which is brilliant, but only whilst it's working. You need to know the proper way of navigating/piloting as well.

Not scary as I never felt completely out of control = provided my anchor worked as I'd never used it before but it's heavy, has a good length of chain and a 120 warp. that should be OK up to about 40ft. I deployed at about 60 and expected it to drag until shallower water was reached but it didn't. Deployed from the front as I don't fancy the stern facing the current/waves/wind. The swing was very gentle on this occasion - would be worse in faster tide/wind. I am aware that some recommend deploying from the stern on a river going downstream buy I wouldn't expect to get into trouble so close to danger (perhaps that's a bit optimistic). Another consideration is that my well deck is boarded over on sea passages and I have to travel down the gunwales to get to the anchor. If one was not confident of doing that, have the anchor at the back.

I am not really doing Bristol justice, as spent 2 months supply of beer tokens at Portishead I'm reluctant to spend much more this month. I've walked around the docks and enjoyed seeing the boats. I called at the M Shed but it was a screaming cacophony of kids so left.. I managed a pint at the Grain Boat, and intended to finish my evening at the Cottage but it shut as I got there at 10;30. I've had a wander around town and seen the Graffiti area. I'd have liked to visit the SS Great Britain but declined the entry fee. So now I'm off to Bath or somewhere. I

I hear a bloke on the Oxford will do it for 26 quid.

I looked at the website ad sounds good. I'll see if any seats are left tomorrow. I'm off out now and will look for some of these places (but not the jazz - I'm strictly folkie) Thanks for the replies.

The pump was blocked with gunge. I have to presume this came from the fuel being stirred up in a choppy sea despite cleaning in March so it was both. The Severn would have been no drama if the engine hadn't conked out. I did learn that my anchor works, even though I deployed it in very much deeper water than I had prepared for. I can also retrieve it which I had my doubts about as it is heavy. Leaving Sharpness an hour before high tide (neaps) I could have reached Bristol and not paid for Portishead (if the engine had kept going). I think that going the other way you could anchor in the Avon to let the ebb pass and set off from there on the flow. But would need to stick close to the channel. I practised using the VHF for the first time in 30 years - rarely used it on chartered yachts.

Never been here before so no idea what's worthwhile. Any hints welcome.

All the drama over now as I'm moored in Bristol. Next instalment in a few weeks when I venture onto the Thames.

Cheap, all of them. £44 per night at Portishead. 57ft though.

If you are going to do it again Blackrose, then I agree with Howard. Being unable to read charts means it's no go without a pilot. (I must have passed you on the Avon, if I'd known I'd have said hello). The fuel system is cleaned, some of the pipework replaced, getting yet another set of fiters this morning and booked out again at 2'30. However the forecast looks bad. I've only a mile and a quarter to the relative calm of the Avon, but if the sea is up it will be a beam sea. Not good. Decision to be made this afternoon.

Yes I have plenty of experience at sea and I left at the top of the tide. I could actually have gone in a straight line to the bridges as the banks were well covered. I did actually follow the channel using the leading marks. Once they sre spotted the line to take is straight forward and marked on the chart.

It's looking like it was the fuel pump. Now back in Portishead Marine. (44 quid a night) and have to wait for a pump to be acquired.