Loafing at Kintbury

As my readers in England will know, it’s continuing very hot by UK standards, with temperatures getting up to 30º C, that’s 86º F in old money. We’re spending a lot of time in the boat with all the side hatches and Houdinis open. We did go and find a geocache this morning, before it got too hot, so we’re not totally unexercised.

It’s now very quiet this afternoon as a result of some football match or other.

We had a good meal in the Dundas Arms last night, courtesy of Alan and Dorothy Garvey, boating companions extraordinary, and another great example of how the spirit of boating is not gone yet.

But then, the Garveys have been boating even longer than us, having started in the sixties, and Priston is a cut down 19th century riveted hull. They’ve boated on now, whilst we loaf here for another day, entertaining Mel and Bungle tonight. I’m cooking curry, which seems appropriate to the conditions.

We’ve had a big think about our itinerary, and decided that although Caen Hill reopening on 9 July would still allow us to get to Bath and back in time for being at Beale Park on 13 August, as we need to be, we’re not going to do it.

Firstly, we’d be following a procession down the locks, so probably wouldn't get to Bath before the 15th. Then, this dry weather is currently forecast to continue for another week or even more, and restrictions on Caen Hill can’t be far off.

All that would mean that potentially we’d be scuttling to get back in time, even if there isn’t another stoppage, and would arrive at Beale very tired, not a good idea when we’ll be working hard there.

Much better for us to amble along to Devizes, enjoying the long pound, and then amble back, and spend some more time on the Thames, either having locks worked for us or operating the buttons for ourselves. In addition, my sister is joining us for three days in the middle of July, and I suspect she’ll enjoy the more leisurely style of the Thames, as she’s looking for relaxation after a busy trip to the UK (she lives in Brooklyn, NY).

Maybe Bath another year.

Meantime, the horse drawn trip boat passed us today, so here’s some photos:

He didn't look terribly pleased with life, and I can't blame him

Boatman's eye view

and the boat, full of happy punters.

One of our fellow moorers had a bit moan, saying "they're banned most places now," which is a) not very nice and b) a load of traditional shoe repairers.