Day 129 and we’re still at Great Bedwyn…. The update at 1600 yesterday was that the level was still insufficient and the summit would remain closed, next update 1400 tomorrow. So after doing a few jobs e.g. polishing the boat we decided to walk up to Crofton pumping station for a visit and to see how many boats are queued up. Good plan but found pumping station is closed today so it just turned into a walk, although we did find someone giving away some windfall eating apples which were delicious. Found there are 12 boats pointing towards the summit, well 11 and a 70′ hire boat trying to wind in a 60′ winding hole – we had told them yesterday that the summit was closed and they could have winded at Great Bedwyn………… you just can’t tell some people. At least they gave the other boats, including the ones facing the other way hours of entertainment. Few more jobs on return from our walk, met one more boat heading up towards the summit they weren’t aware that it was closed. Also when we got back latest update says levels still too low and next update will be 1000 tomorrow. Having to run the generator as not enough sun to make up overnight deficit and keep pace with inverters. We’re fortunate that there is some serious work going on on the railway so there are no trains, normally this stretch is quite noisy as it is right by the rail line.

Day 130 and we have found out there is a bakery in the village so have decided to buy some bread as a power conservation measure. J went out early, well after we had a slow start, and bought some seven seed sour dough bread – wanted to get something unlike the loaves we make ourselves. On return chatted to a guy moored on the waterpoint – also didn’t know about closure. Getting back to the boat find that they are opening summit from 1000 to 1400. Decide to move up to Crofton, travel up with boat from waterpoint. Decide to stop as, although we might be able to make it across the summit we know we have at least 11 boats ahead of us and moorings the other side will be in short supply. Actually visit the pumping station. This houses the oldest working steam engine actually doing the job it was designed for, have visited a couple of times before but still really interesting.

After visit do a bit of foraging – blackberries and apples from a tree by the last lock we came through. J prepared them on tow path in the last of the afternoon sun, great backdrop of the pumping station.