Tyle Mill to Reading (Fosbury Lock)

Our last day of boating for a while as we will be taking a break as our latest great granddaughter is due today! 😍
We started out with a pump out and water fill - joyous tasks! But it has to be done.
It was really hot today so we both decided on sunhats. Clearly not going to win any fashion contests but we were very cool (as in opposite to warm)

I was also wearing shorts for the first time in about 20 years - short shorts!! But I won't spoil your appetite with a photo of those!!
You may recall me mentioning the rare turf lock? Well we did another one today! My turn to steer..

The countryside really opens out towards Reading and the river widens.

After a few locks we swapped roles and John took the tiller. I was really glad as he had a problem on a sharp bend in the river. Another boat was coming but what we didn't know was there was an obstruction on our side so as we turned the bend John had no choice but to try and stop and ended up under the trees. I can just imagine the language if I had been steering!!! No harm done thankfully, just a few broken twigs on the boat. Sadly I didn't have time for a photo of us stuck under the trees as I had to duck!!

We passed the Cunning Man pub on our right and remembered the awful meal and service we had there on our last visit. According to trip advisor it hasn't improved at all!! The garden was looking pretty empty for a Saturday lunchtime..

The scenery is lovely around here..

At the last lock of the day we were pleased to see they had put the bunting out for us, how sweet! 😊

Lovely too seeing this gaggle of geese! Or are they ducks.. not sure...

Also as we were going along a butterfly decided to land. Dex was glaring at it (you can see his shadow) but I managed to stop him getting it.

So now we are safely moored and having a rest, ready for the next part of our journey - Reading to the Thames!

Thatcham to Tyle Mill

We decided to make an early start and set off at 9am. OK not that early but it is when you're retired! 😉
The scenery started off quite industrial and then we found ourselves in the countryside once more.

We soon came across our first swing bridge of the day. This one was quite tame but they were to get more interesting further along!

At Woolhampton it gets a bit tricky as there is a lock followed by some fast flowing river and then a road swing bridge. You need to open the swing bridge before leaving the lock. As we shared the lock with another boat, there were enough hands to deal with the lock so I went ahead and opened the swing bridge. You have to stop the traffic, its all automated but feels great being in control! John was dreading this stretch of river as when we brought the boat home 3 years ago in the opposite direction the river was in flood and it was really hard to control the boat. It's amazing how different it has been now the river is flowing normally.

There is a nice looking pub by the bridge and a really pretty house.

 Further on we passed some really amazing houses backing onto the canal.

Dex takes boating in his stride and is happy to relax on the roof. He prefers to be walking the towpath and helping with the locks though. He's had lots of admirers already on this trip!

We have seen some lovely Willow trees along this stretch of canal.

As we approached Aldermaston the river splits and we had to turn sharp left to avoid the route to the weir!

Soon we came across another road swing bridge. We had to do 4 in total today, 3 swing bridges and 1 lift bridge. I operated them all so have had my power rush of the day!

We managed to share some of the locks which makes life easier. Some locks fill really quickly whilst others take ages. Each one has it's own quirks, sticking or leaking gates, broken paddles, awkward bridges. Guess that's what makes it fun though, you never know what lies ahead!

So far most of the people we have met on the way have been lovely, really chatty and friendly. You do get the odd misery though - wouldn't be real life otherwise I guess..
Back out in the open countryside there were lots of turns swooping down near the boat, hunting for fish.

Six hours after leaving Thatcham we arrived at Tyle Mill Lock. One more road bridge and there was our mooring! We were lucky as there were no mooring signs on the towpath but a friendly permanent moorer showed us a good spot and told us we could moor there for up to 2 weeks! We only need overnight as off to Reading tomorrow!

Newbury to Thatcham

Another glorious day on the canal! Had a great trip to Thatcham. We set off with all of us on board as the Canal and River Trust volunteers kindly did the first lock for us so we could just pass through. The canal goes through the centre of Newbury.

We had to stop for water and fuel at the boat yard. We were quite surprised to see who was aboard this boat!

It took ages to get water. Whilst waiting I got chatting to a couple of guys about the waterpoints as the map doesn't show any until Aldermaston. However they reckoned there is one after the swing bridge at Woolhampton so we will see! The boatyard unbelievably normally charges for water which is outrageous but we got it for free. Not sure why! Maybe because we got fuel.
The canal soon ends up back in the countryside with some lovely scenery.

Some of the locks were quite tricky and of course Health and Safety is out the window! But that's all part of the fun, being responsible for your own safety and making your own decisions about what you can and can't do rather than having someone think and act for you. I think it's called freedom! 😊
I can just imagine what a health and safety officer would make of this lock bridge!

I did cross it but only once and made Dex stay on the other side! We did 6 locks and 2 swing bridges. One of the swing bridges was impossible for me to move on my own. I'm ashamed to say I had to let John help. Hoping to build up my muscles this trip so I can do it all unaided!

This lock below is called Old Monkey Marsh Lock and believe it or not it has been listed as an ancient monument by English Heritage. It is one of only 2 remaining examples of turf sided locks.

One of the great things about being on the canal is you get to see so much wildlife. I was thrilled to get a shot of this cow taking a drink and also we saw lots of turns diving for fish. Not seen a watervole yet, their numbers are really down..but there's still plenty of time.

So now we are safely moored at Thatcham station and John is walking Dex back to get the car.