Gemma’s last day with me, she needed to get a train at Great Bedwyn. So we left Hungerford at 8:00. There was obviously a fishing competition taking place between Hungerford Church Swing Bridge and Hungerford Lock, because the row of roach poles extending across the canal into the distance looked like the supporting skeleton for a great plastic awning to be set across the canal. As we went along the poles rose and fell just like a Mexican wave in slow motion. Approaching Hungerford Marsh Lock, a boat which appeared to be moored there pulled away and as it passed the crew told us that Lock 68 had a broken gate and we would not be able to get through. Looking at the map I could see that lock 68 was nearer to Great Bedwyn than Hungerford, and as the term “broken gate” could mean almost anything I decided to carry on. The canal was very quiet, and only on reaching lock 70 did we meet a clutch of narrowboats heading the other way. Not a word was spoken about any problems ahead, and on reaching lock 68 we found it deserted and no sign of any problem. Was this a practical joke? On reaching Great Bedwyn the only mooring left was on the 2 hour spot by the pump out, so that was it for the 2 hours we needed to get a meal and for Gemma to catch her train. We went to the Cross Keys Inn again (we’ve been there on previous trips along the canal) where we received a warm welcome and got the best pub Sunday roast I can ever recall having. Well recommended. Having seen Gemma safely on her train home, Bella Cassie and I set off for Crofton and just managed to squeeze in to the last 61 feet of spare mooring space left. That evening, not having much else to do, and with no signal on the mobile phone to post this report, I decided to stroll over to Wilton via the footpath alongside Wilton Water. A beautiful little village and the pub looks very interesting so we must make the effort ot return there on our way back.
Today: 6.7 miles, 14 locks, 6 hrs 40 mins
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