At the Top

Yesterday’s cruise to the base of the Caen Hill flight was done in a steady drizzle.  Jan couldn’t decide whether to wear her raincoat and overheat or discard it and slowly get wet.  In the end she opted for the latter. We were accompanied through the locks and swing bridges by Dave and Diana on NB Silver Dream.  There was only one boat moored at the base of the flight.  A widebeam hire boat with a kiwi couple from Whangarei.

This morning both of us were up before 6am with the intention of an early start up the flight.  All the locks in the flight are left empty overnight so the first boat away will have them in their favour.  The first lock keeper arrived at 7.30am and the widebeam with the kiwis aboard headed up. 

Dave set the first four locks for them and then we paired up to follow.  Having a boat immediately in front of us meant all the locks were against us, however Jan and Dave quickly developed a routine with them leap frogging each other at the individual locks.  We made very good time up the first 11 locks but things started to slow for an hour as we met the first of the boats coming down. 

There was a very short pound between the first change over point but eventually we managed to agree a passing sequence with the two boats coming down.

Silver Dream went out and loitered to one side which allowed the hire boat to directly cross into the lock beside Waiouru.  I then went across into the opposite lock beside the second boat.  It then crossed into the position I’d just left and finally Silver Dream came in beside me.

The second crossing wasn’t nearly as organised.  The boats coming down had failed to empty their lock as we were filling ours.  That delayed things.  Then when they opened the lower lock gates we could see an old narrowboat and a fibreglass cruiser.  Six youngish females and it wasn’t a hens party.  By their dress and appearance it seemed obvious they lived on the boats.  Some weird clothing, dreadlocks and plenty of facial metal, along with tramp stamps.  When I see someone with a ring through the flesh between the nostrils it seems so bovine!  My guess was we were seeing “benefit britain” on the move.  Perhaps as a result of the CRT enforcement officer who had passed us when we were further down the flight?  Anyway, they eventually managed to sort themselves out and we managed a slow crossing.  Another two boats were waiting at the lock above and were decidedly annoyed with the slow pace of the girls in front.  One commented “It’s going to be a very long day!”

One of the boats was nb Free Spirit and flying an Australia flag on the stern.  I noticed the steerer was wearing a top with “Web Ellis” embroidered above the pocket. 

I took some small pleasure in suggesting to the crew there was no need to stay for the Rugby World Cup this year.  The final would be between England and NZ!  He took the comment in good spirit.

The only sour part of the day was when Jan slipped over at lock 44 striking her right cheek and upper arm on the steel gate beam.  She now has two beautiful bruises.  I’m going to somehow have to keep her out of sight in Waiouru otherwise I’ll be accused of wife beating. 

We reached the summit pound at 1am finding a vacant spot on the 72 hour moorings.  Actually we just squeezed in.  However later in the day the boats immediately in front and behind departed.  Was it because we flushed the toilet?  However the moorings didn’t stay vacant for long.  An Anglo-Welsh hire boat took the mooring behind us and the a Braidbar boat took the one in front.  As it was Tuesday and the sun was out Jan patiently waited to see if the owners were going to wash and polish their boat!

Tomorrow’s weather forecast is for rain all day.  Looks like we might be staying in Devizes until Thursday.