Frouds Bridge Marina to Crofton

Our stay at Frouds Bridge Marina was extended by another day to avoid travelling in heavy rain.  Moorhens are very good nest builders and will use any location to their advantage, in the marina one cheeky bird had made it's nest on someones back deck.  

Feeding chicks in the nest on a boat

On Thursday we set off for Newbury.  The Kennet and Avon Canal is a connected series of rivers and after the heavy rain the River Kennet was fast flowing especially at the bottom of the locks where weir streams reconnect with the navigation.  We made good progress but after 8 miles, 10 locks and 5 swing bridges we were pleased to see empty moorings in Newbury.  

Newbury was a pleasant place to stop so we stayed over the weekend, shopping in the good selection of shops and enjoying breakfast in the Toby Carvery.  We haven't seen a charity shop for a while so we took the opportunity to donate some books and buy some more.  On Sunday we had a stroll around the monthly artisan market.  

Newbury's clock tower

On Monday we sailed through Newbury Lock and out of town.

Looking under the town centre bridge to Newbury Lock 

The canal quickly took us back into a rural setting and through some more locks.  As we waited at one lock a deer kept an eye on us; it had a fawn nearby, hidden in the long grass.

The deer kept a watchful eye on us 

On Tuesday we arrived in Hungerford, a small town with some quaint buildings and for its size, a lot of antique shops.  We stayed for a couple of nights on the quiet moorings.  

On the moorings at Hungerford next to the Kennet & Avon Trust trip boat, Rose of Hungerford.

Hungerford Lock took us up onto the River Dun, a quiet river which is much calmer than the Kennet.  It took us onto the gently rolling hills of the Wessex Downs and as we climbed up through the locks the river water turned a cloudy grey with chalk deposits.  We made a spur of the moment decision to stop in the tranquil setting at Potters Lock.  

On Friday we travelled a short distance to Crofton and moored up near the Crofton Beam Engine House.  

On Saturday morning a man walked down the towpath with a stepladder which he stood up on the grass in front of the lock.  When he started setting up a camera we realised he must be a train spotter, in an ideal position for the rail track opposite.  Over the next hour a group of train spotters gathered.

Train spotters in position

 Brent III's roof gave us a good view as The Flying Scotsman steamed passed on its way to Salisbury. 

 

The Flying Scotsman

Our journey from Frouds Bridge Marina to Crofton