Friday, August 16, 2013

End of The Line :-(

We were awake at 7.00am this morning but it was raining so hard we went back to bed with a cup of tea and a good book....two and a half hours later we got up!

The rain had stopped so we got moving ... it was like going through the Amazon jungle in places, at least the leaves were wet so it cleaned the sides of the boat as we went through. A green boatwash!




It is quite a spectacular canal and well worth the effort of all the locks (I think)!


Only two swing bridges today, the first one was held open for us by a boat coming the other way, so El had quite an easy day.  Note the motorhome next to the swing bridge, when we get one we can camp next to the canal helping knackered boaters.


As you can see the weather had changed dramatically, it got sunny and very warm.


Elaine gave the boys a good walk along the towpath, but it was too hot for them - they just wanted to get back on board.


So we made it to Devizes, we are moored at the top of the photo ...


We went to a local dog friendly pub, where we had a couple of very nice pints.  We are not really into the real ale stuff as in Oz it doesn't really exist, so we are not really used to it. We often try the local drops and most of them are OK but tonight's was superb, it was Wadsworths Henrys original IPA, bloody lovely!
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So to the title - 'End of the Line'.  Elaine is one of those that never wants to make a fuss or ruin my canal dream, but she has been feeling crook for the last month!  Today we went to Boots and  sorted out my drugs for the next 3 months, or we should have it sorted tomorrow.  Elaine finally agreed to go and see a doctor ... not easy when travelling about on a narrowboat!  Long story short, we ended up in a community hospital in Chippenham where we we were seen by a very nice doctor who basically said to Elaine, "You have to get sorted, Madam, with various tests etc, but which can't be done here".  So ... we have decided we are going to chuck a u-ey and start heading back north.  We will go to Great Bedwyn so Elaine can take a train up to Macclesfield and get the ball rolling, so to speak ... we just didn't see the point of getting further and further away.

So tomorow we will stay here and go for a bike ride to the Caen hill Flight - we will take our windlasses so we can help some boats down and up.

18 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear Elaine is not well. Hope she gets sorted. We 're 3 weeks from K&A so will not get to say hello after all.

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    1. Depends how long it takes us to get back to Reading :-)

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  2. So sorry to hear your news guys, hope Elaine is OK and gets sorted soon, we wish you all the best for a quick recovery and hope you are soon back to full health. DOug and James x

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  3. Sorry to hear that you are unwell enough to venture into the folds of the NHS Elaine but hoping they can quickly sort you out. A long journey to get there too

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    1. She is taking her trusty side kick Bombo on the 4 hour train journey. We are booked into Aston Marina from 1st November.

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  4. Hope you’ll be feeling much better soon Elaine - look after yourself. xx

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  5. Really sorry to hear that, we know Elaine hasn't been well so lets hope she is soon sorted and on the road to recovery. Take it easy on the way back, the blood gates are heavy. Take care xx

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  6. We're really sorry to hear Elaine's not well and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Are you coming north via Oxford? We hope to be leaving Fenny Compton on the bank holiday Sunday and coming down to the K&A over the following 2 weeks so hope we can catch you. Look after yourselves xx

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    1. Yep we will head back up the K & A then the Thames then Oxford..see you soon xx

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  7. So sorry to hear abut Elaine. Hope she gets better soon. Take it easy on the way back and hope she is sorted soon.
    warmest regards
    Steve and Chris

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  8. Sorry to hear you're not well Elaine. If you're having your tests done at Macc General they will look after you well. They were brilliant when I needed emergency treatment earlier this year X

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  9. Sorry to here Elaine is not well, hope its sorted soon, such a shame you will miss the rest of the K and A. Caxton would have looked good right up against Pulteney weir.

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