Day 144 started cool and misty but beautiful.

Felt like we were gently cutting through the mist. Went through the Semington locks on our own, passed another boat on our way to Seend – Ocho (No 8) with only one of two crew on board. They joined us for the rest of the day. Made good progress through Seend locks after an initial issue getting into the first lock where the gate on the side we were on wouldn’t open properly and D got jammed. Only when J and another person from a boat wanting to go down the lock leaned on the gate did we get in. The throttle cable broke (for the second time this trip) at the first of the Foxhangers locks. D managed to fix it himself Rob from Ocho first pulled us out from the lock and then waited with us until the cable was fixed. Whilst D was working Trisha, the second crew member from Ocho returned. We scrumped some more apples. Went up the seven locks to the bottom of the flight of 16 locks of Caen Hill. Moored on the lock mooring as the flight was closed as we arrived. The side was really high here and J had to make an undignified wriggle down onto the deck to get back on the boat.

Day 145 and we return up the famous Caen Hill flight. We start promptly at 0800 with Ocho once they managed to get off the mooring. J was on the helm in the lock and had got in position for Ocho to come in when one of the CRT crew opened a paddle to let some more water in the pound which pushed the bow onto the other side so had to move the boat over. After this made really good progress with all the locks set for us, the advantage of being first up the flight, we also had CRT volunteers helping us. We also left and entered the locks together which stops a lot of faffing about trying to make sure the second boat can get in neatly. Were joined by our friend Susan about half way up the flight who also helped with the locks. Weather was a a bit drizzly so headed straight for Devizes wharf to moor up. Passing Susan’s (and Alan’s) boat B-Hive on the way.

Found two good moorings for us and Ocho at the top although the moorings were busy. J had checked the availability of brewery tours on the web before we set off but didn’t book  which was unfortunate as once we reached the mooring and had had a coffee there were no tickets left. We particularly wanted to go as we arrived too late to attend last time we travelled on the K&A. Managed to book for tomorrow so we’ll be staying another day in Devizes. Walked down to the café at the top of the 16 to try to get a certificate. The cafe always used to create certificates saying you had completed the flight but apparently they have stopped doing this. Went out for supper with Alan and Susan and had the most enormous pizzas, not sure how D, Susan and Alan managed to eat pudding!

Day 146 and we stayed in Devizes, after a late start and a very small breakfast for J (still full from last night) we went to the Devizes museum for a hour or so before trying to find a quick lunch before going to the Wadworths brewery for their tour, but we ran out of time J still not hungry but we felt we should have eaten something before doing the “tastings”. Found one lovely little tea house so resolved to return after the tour if time allowed. Brewery tour was interesting, unfortunately only one of their shire horses was there as the others were at the Newbury show. Did manage to get back to the tea room which did really good savoury cream teas. A real indulgence as still not hungry.

Day 147 and a straight forward cruise with only a couple of swing bridges and no locks. Slow because of the number of moored boats but there seems to be more water now. We passed through the delightfully named Honeystreet where the pub has unfortunately closed. It was very quirky as this is the heart of crop circle country, but it is a shame to lose a pub along the canal. You also pass the white horse.

Moored at Pewsey wharf as didn’t want to go up towards the summit in case the pounds were really low again.