Costa packet in Kintbury.

There seemed to be a fair bit of traffic up and down so we knew there would be a bit of a wait at locks especially as a big wide beam was ahead of us with just two of us. There was another hotel boat moved from Hungerford to the west this morning This one was the 'Kailani' and was a little smaller than the 'Wessex Rose' only taking four guests. It was also a little cheaper. The one that was going our way was being delivered from Evesham on the Warwickshire Avon. They had come down the Severn and were struggling on the shallow waters of the K&A. To top that their thruster had packed up so making it most unweildy. Apparently it belonged to the 7th richest person in Britain! I'm not sure I would want to be known as the 7th richest man. Just rich would do me. It didn't look in too good a nick to me so obviously hadn't been used very much. There was a boat taking water at Hungerford and gthere is no rubbish disposal there now so we moved on.

By the time we got to the next lock, Dun Mill Lock we had already caught up the wide beam and then had to wait for a boat coming up. It was a 70' brand new hire boat being delivered to Hilperton Wharf. By the time they had cleared the boat from the water point had arrived. We had already decided to wait for them as there was no point in rushing with the slow wide beam ahead.

As we got closer to Kintbury we came across the railway line crossing the canal. They were working hard at putting in Armco under the bridge. It was all nicely faced with wood too. They were soon out of the way for us. All the lock moorings etc are well faced with wood which does save the paint work of the boat with all the coming alongside etc. It would be nice if all canals too a leaf out of their book. The canal runs very close to the canal today so it is good news for us that Great Western Railways are on strike today so there is a very reduced service on the line and so it is much quieter.

As we approached the town we passed this beautiful house. It looked  like it may have been the Vicarage as it was close to the church and looked the sort of design. It was also beautifully maintained.

This is the bridge just by the house that was near the place we moored just before the Kintbury Lock.

After lunch we went for a walk round the village as it is a lovely day. We found a lovely butchers that did great looking pork pies and sausage rolls so it would have been rude not to buy them for lunch. We then found the Cake Cafe and although we were going to have an ice cream we settled for tea and cake when we were told they had no cornets for the ice cream. Afterwards we walked to the church but it was locked so we walked back to the Dundas Arms by the canal bridge. In the Pearson's Guide it says that the Dundas Arms is well loved. I am not quite sure who by, as a pint of beer and a half of cider cost £6!! That is our most expensive of the year. I reckon the walk up to the 'Blue Ball' or 'Prince of Wales' will save you money.