9 locks and 5 bridges

Aaargh! Not another swing bridge! It's all stop, go today. This morning we only covered just over a mile in one hour. But in that mile we had 1 lock and 2 swing bridges and the bridges take almost as long as working a lock. Firstly, the captain has to be dropped off before the bridge. Next she either unscrews a holding chain or puts a key in a lock. Then, heave ho me hearties and swing the bridge open. Or, press buttons and sirens wail, gates come down, bridge lifts slightly and then sedately swings round. Having gone that far, wait for boat to go through and then do it all again but in the reverse order.

I can tell you that we shall be glad to see the back of the swing bridges. Oh dear, ghastly thought, I haven't told the captain that we've got to do them all again on the way back.

Still, she gets a bit of a rest while I steer the boat through.

We're in Monkey Marsh Lock, the 2nd turf lock on the system. This one is prettier with more flowers growing both sides.

At times you look forward and think 'where's the channel?'

The reeds have narrowed the canal considerably.

Ah, look, a signpost! Trouble is that the reeds are so tall that you can only just see the top. I'm sure that if it's important they'd make sure you could see it.

A lovely old mill or warehouse with a signboard that can be seen this time.

Now this one is important, it says Danger Sluice Keep Left. Good advice, believe me.

Now entering Newbury and it is very pretty alongside the canal.

This is the oldest bridge on the canal which originally stopped here before the link was made through to Bristol.

We were fortunate to have a lock keeper on duty in the centre of town. As you approach the lock there are cross currents from both sides. Luckily, the gates were ready and open as we slalomed through the eddies.

Last swing bridge of the day.

Here are some very desirable properties facing the canal.

And opposite, renovated and converted warehouses, now apartments.

And this is us, sitting in the sun at the end of a busy day.

Should have said earlier that we stopped to see Ozzie. Who's Ozzie, you say? Ozzie is a fuel barge that trades between here and Reading. We topped up with diesel and replaced an empty gas bottle, so now we're set for the next few weeks. We've got petrol, gas and diesel, food in the pantry and water in the tank. All's well.