After being shown our home for the next 4 nights we were subjected to a 10 minute DVD explaining locks, swing bridges and other potential hazards before being unleashed on the British Waterways network – the fools! The first potential headache was actually getting out of the boatyard as in their infinite wisdom they had allocated us a boat hemmed in by others and not facing the way we were planning to go – or more correctly the way our chief navigator planned. With the assistance of a boatyard employee (who had also displayed a very helpful knowledge of local pubs) we were eventually on our way cruising to our first stop at Bradford on Avon – a voyage of some 3 miles.
As I’d foolishly admitted to previous canal experience and was standing near the tiller I “volunteered” to steer the first half before handing over to Garry who then performed splendidly for the remainder of the voyage – including traffic lights at a bridge under repair and negotiating our first lock of the trip at Bradford on Avon.
However he did disgrace himself with girlie noises due to getting slightly damp from a trickle of water leaking around the lock gate – a 70’ boat in a lock with 18” to spare you have to be at back to get bottom lock gates open. He was upset we ignored his pathetic screams!
Exiting the lock and our night mooring was found 100 yards away – but only 20 from the back door of The Canal Tavern.
So as the sun was above the yardarm somewhere we adjourned to the hostelry for our first beer – well my first one as the rest of the crew had been at the bottles whilst I was steering.
The evening was then spent sampling ales interrupted only be fish and chips and a massive route march as Phil had an itinerary of dubious pubs he wanted to visit which all seemed to be uphill –
The Canal Tavern – as described conveniently by canal but a Wadsworth pub with resulting awful beer
Three Horseshoes – a local’s pub (which other landlords said we were lucky to exit alive) but we found it friendly with excellent beer
StationPlace Fish and Chip Bar – a sit down meal in the winners of the Wiltshire Times “Best Fish and Chip Shop in Wiltshire 2011.” It was excellent!
The Bunch of Grapes – very expensive with Irish landlord holding an Irish Quiz night – mind numbing so we left after 1
The Castle – worth the find (after several wrong turns) with good beer and barmaids
And then back to Three Horseshoes for one final pint before last orders. Brian then disappointed as although “time” called barmaid continued to pour pints only to tell him she couldn’t serve him more – still kept pouring for locals whilst telling him. To be honest we didn’t need more especially as we had to bear in mind the onboard facilities may not cope!!!
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