We decided to push on today, as the weather was forecast to be dry. An early start, as we planned to fill up with water just after the first lock, and eat breakfast while we wait.  We both agreed that it was too windy, and not a good mooring point, so breakfast had to wait.

It wasn’t long before we had our first enforced stop with one of the pounds too low to continue, and the hire widebeam ahead of us had run aground.

Only six more locks going up, a short stint on the summit, and then we were on the downhill stretch all the way to Bristol, it was a welcome change, as the boat doesn’t get pushed around in the lock so much.

We were followed for most of the morning by a pair of narrowboats (two people on each).  At the first lock, the wind took their bow and I went back and got a centre rope and pulled their boat in. The photo below sums up each lock, where I was left on my own while they watched – only springing in to action when we had exited the locks and I’d closed the gates.  The chappie asked me to raise the paddles on the next lock to help them, you can guess my thoughts as I smiled back and said nothing!

It was then a lock free afternoon – yippee!!  We enjoyed the rolling hills, and wonderful views, including the white horse in the distance.

It was 5pm, and we had our eye on some visitor moorings just after bridge 127.  We saw quite a few boats moored up and our hearts sank, and then as we passed a widebeam, there was a spot just big enough for us. Toby checked the weed hatch, only a little bit of weed found.

An earlier than usual blog update today, great wifi for the America’s Cup, sadly cancelled due to high winds.  We still have dinner to look forward to!

Planning a short cruise into Devizes tomorrow, as we understand there aren’t many visitor moorings, so we want to get there mid morning.  We’ll then be ready for Caen Hill on Friday.