Walking along the Kennet & Avon canal, I met the friendly Mr and Mrs Bird, owners of Uccello. Apparently they had first wanted to retire to Italy but decided to travel on the canals of the UK and named their boat, Uccello – Italian for bird.
Whilst Mrs Bird enjoyed a book on the towpath, husband was painting up the foredeck or whatever the bit of boat was called. They were stuck as the Crofton Engine Steam pump and modern electric back-up were being thwarted in their attempt to fill the top pound because of a leak and none of the boats could use the locks.
So running out of food, they found the postal code for the Crofton Pumping Station from the Royal Mail website. They ordered provisions from Tesco.com with the warning that they were to be delivered to the narrow boat across the canal. Important – make sure your mobile phone is working so that you can be alerted that the delivery is on the way and you can stand by the gate. Easy and yes, Every little helps!
Image via WikipediaA magical week walking by the canal and lunching at the Crofton Pumping Station – now closed for the winter. Some people like the gruelling long walks in Europe; I, the gentle walks on the tow-path. There is always someone to talk to either on the boats, fishing or walking.The Crofton Pumping Station boasts the oldest steam beam engine working in it’s original location fulfilling it’s original task – pumping water to the top level of the canal. The water travels on the inside of a curve along a leat – a Cornish word for an aqueduct – to discharge into the top pond of the canal.
I met the “Tragara” making its way to London for the winter trade of a hotel narrowboat. Glynn is the owner and Tragara has been built to his and “the wife’s” specification. Glynn lives in Aberdeen and commutes to the boat so has a good retirement life.Eli is from Norway and lives on her boat and works as a webdesigner. The reliable phone network is Vodafone whose head-offices is further down the road in Newbury. Eli works for another narrowboat owner who has set up NomadIT.
Whilst in the area, Jenny Grimstone of Fairoak Sports Therapy kept my legs in good walking condition – so no excuses for me!A wonderful end to the week was the last steaming day at Crofton with many ethusiasts and the support of the Pewsey Boat Club in thier narrowboats.
Be careful walking along the towpath. I saw a dog rip the trousers of one walker. And be careful when you come along the anglers with their poles. One tap can shatter their poles. The anglers were always so polite and quick to move their poles. If on a boat, keep to the middle as the poles will be moved out of your way. If you move to the far bank, you disturb the fishing. The anglers likes the boats as they stir up the water and the fish are bolder!
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