How many times have we said that some of our best experiences happened, not by plan, but by circumstance? This was definitely one of those times. During one of our purely exploratory walks, i.e. with no particular destination in mind, we happened upon the Kennet and Avon Canal trail as a narrow canal boat was passing through one of the locks. This was facinating! Deciding to follow the canal, we had one of the most exciting adventures of our trip! John Rennie, Chief Engineer, surveyed the Kennet and Avon rivers in 1788 in the hopes of developing a commercial transport route between Newbury and London. Up to that point, overland routes were difficult and sea routes were perilous. Rennie's canal route would halve both the travel time and cost of moving coal and Bath stone to London. The system flourished until 1840 when the railroads provided an even faster and cheaper alternative. As we strolled along the canal and watched several boats traveling in both directions, it was easy to strike up conversations with those on board ( we were that close to each other). Canal boaters are very friendly folks. To our astonishment, a family of five asked if we would like to jump on board and ride with them for awhile. WOULD WE EVER!! My father had a boat ever since I was ten years old, so I basically grew up on one. Still, this was a new experience , and what an experience it was!! We rode this narrow canal boat for the better part of a mile, through several locks, before disembarking. It was a thrill of a lifetime! What a great day this turned out to be! John Rennie, Chief Engineer of the Kennet & Avon Canal system. Ranging in lengths of 38 feet to 70 feet, the narrow canal boats can be rented for up to $1,000 per week. Waiting for the lock to fill so the boat can travel the next upper level. The Duke of Cleveland built this house over the canal, with a fifty foot tunnel so that boats could continue travel the canal... ...however, the Duke charged a toll for passing through his tunnel. As boats approached, a bucket on a rope would be lowered through this hole to collect the toll. No tolls are charged today. The Cleveland House from the other side. This chimney tower is all that is left of the pump station that would replenish waters to the upper locks. Locals began to complain that the pumping station was taking too much water from the rivers. So a different system had to be found. The first two iron bridges built over the canal connected the Sydney Gardens with the community on the opposite side of the canal. These are two hundred years old. As we walked along the canal, we met Geoff, " the Ref." In his younger years, Geoff played rugby . He then turned to refereeing (thus his nickname). He now owns a boat and spends his time traveling the canals... This is Geoff's boat, the 38 foot "Erskin May." If you look closely under the name, you can just make out the remnants of a logo. The previous owner had been a member of Parliament and was entitled to put this logo on the boat. Teresa owns "The Pump Shed" snack shop beside the old chimney tower along the canal. We struck up conversations with several boaters as they navigated the canal. Tracey, Jez, and Liam invited us to ride with them down through several locks. "Is this lock opened far enough for us to make it through?" In actuality, this was a very smooth and comfortable ride. While the space is narrow, the living area was quite comfortable... ...and the galley was well appointed. "Captain" of the boat. Tracey and Jez take their grandchildren on their annual cruises. This boat is owned by their parents, who live aboard 11 months of the year. for the twelfth month, the parents go to stay at Tracey and Jez' house while Tracey and Jez live aboard the boat . Many locals living along the canal own their own boats.
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Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
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