After our
lovely time on the river Wey we made our way up river on the Thames towards
Reading – our destination, the Fobney Loop which runs past the Reading Abbey
ruins; the occasion, the Kennet and Avon
East Ender Festival. This year, the Reading Water Fest and the Newbury
Waterways Festival were scheduled back to back on following weekends in the
middle of June. The canal East End refers to the stretch of canal from Newbury
to Reading which covers approximately 19 miles and 22 locks.
The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust (KACT) had, on Sunday 2nd June 2013, been awarded the prestigious Queens’ Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest recognition for volunteer groups in the UK. This accolade was received for the leadership of the restoration of the Kennet and Avon canal and its buildings over the last 50 years and for creating a landscape and amenity valued by the whole community.
Boats started to arrive in Reading on Wednesday 12th June and we moved onto our designated mooring spot on Thursday. With much to celebrate, we looked forward to the company of Sally and Mark Emery, who we had not seen for some time. We met them at the station in Reading and only stopped talking when it was time to retire for the night.
Later on Sunday afternoon, Ian and I walked with Sally and Mark to the railway station in Reading where they were to catch their train back to Pewsey. As we waved goodbye to them, with Sally’s infectious laughter ringing in our ears, none of us had the slightest idea that it would be the last time that we would ever see Sally again.
Early on Monday, while helping another boat skipper who had managed to get his boat stuck in the middle of the river, Adrian, John and two CRT (Canal & River Trust) members wandered down the path. They were to take the working boat, Avon Vale, back to its home mooring, so we decided to travel with them. As they passed by, we slipped our mooring lines and slid in behind them, trailing them through the Oracle Shopping Centre.
We had nearly five days to navigate the 19 miles and 22 locks so we were in no hurry. Grandparent’s day with Hollie was on Wednesday and we know that to catch the train from Theale to Reading takes only 15 minutes or so after a 10 minute walk so Theale swing bridge was our destination for the evening. When we arrived there was still space on the good 24hr online mooring so we tied up onto the mooring rings and settled in for the evening. That chill wind was still keeping temperatures pretty low so we didn’t stay out on the deck for too long.
Thursday saw us moving off again. Our intention was to go into the marina at Frouds Bridge to replenish water and diesel and to dispose of sanitary and rubbish, we would then go on to Woolhampton for the night. But to misquote Robert Burns “The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry” and they did. We forgot how easy it is to be led astray by Mick and Sue at the marina. But I get ahead of myself.
The morning was pretty uneventful until we got to Aldermaston Wharf. The road bridge was being repaired again and we were advised that we may have to wait. As it turned out, we didn’t. On approaching the bridge, the workmen kindly opened it for us and we happily sailed on through. What happened next was just shear thoughtlessness.
Aldermaston Lock is right next to the road bridge and CRT workmen were milling around the lock. As we came through the bridge, the lock was empty and the gates were open, but as we approached, the lock gates were swung shut. I was forced to change course and head for the bank but the wind was blowing me in the opposite direction. I scrambled to get the boat tied up. Ian, in the meantime went to find out what had happened. The workmen had seen us – they had waved at us when Ian whistled for their attention, so why had they shut the gate ‘in our face’? Their answer… because they can!
The weather improved a little on Sunday. The park was buzzing with stalls but there was not the usual crowd of people. The ice-cream stalls were certainly not going to make much of a profit on this day. The Mayor arrived with the Town Crier to open the festival and judge the best dressed boats. It was so different from last year when we boated on the boat pond or sat on the grass in the park and ate ice-creams.
The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust (KACT) had, on Sunday 2nd June 2013, been awarded the prestigious Queens’ Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest recognition for volunteer groups in the UK. This accolade was received for the leadership of the restoration of the Kennet and Avon canal and its buildings over the last 50 years and for creating a landscape and amenity valued by the whole community.
Boats started to arrive in Reading on Wednesday 12th June and we moved onto our designated mooring spot on Thursday. With much to celebrate, we looked forward to the company of Sally and Mark Emery, who we had not seen for some time. We met them at the station in Reading and only stopped talking when it was time to retire for the night.
 |
| Mark, Sally and Cherryl on Winedown |
Later on Sunday afternoon, Ian and I walked with Sally and Mark to the railway station in Reading where they were to catch their train back to Pewsey. As we waved goodbye to them, with Sally’s infectious laughter ringing in our ears, none of us had the slightest idea that it would be the last time that we would ever see Sally again.
Early on Monday, while helping another boat skipper who had managed to get his boat stuck in the middle of the river, Adrian, John and two CRT (Canal & River Trust) members wandered down the path. They were to take the working boat, Avon Vale, back to its home mooring, so we decided to travel with them. As they passed by, we slipped our mooring lines and slid in behind them, trailing them through the Oracle Shopping Centre.
We had nearly five days to navigate the 19 miles and 22 locks so we were in no hurry. Grandparent’s day with Hollie was on Wednesday and we know that to catch the train from Theale to Reading takes only 15 minutes or so after a 10 minute walk so Theale swing bridge was our destination for the evening. When we arrived there was still space on the good 24hr online mooring so we tied up onto the mooring rings and settled in for the evening. That chill wind was still keeping temperatures pretty low so we didn’t stay out on the deck for too long.
Thursday saw us moving off again. Our intention was to go into the marina at Frouds Bridge to replenish water and diesel and to dispose of sanitary and rubbish, we would then go on to Woolhampton for the night. But to misquote Robert Burns “The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry” and they did. We forgot how easy it is to be led astray by Mick and Sue at the marina. But I get ahead of myself.
The morning was pretty uneventful until we got to Aldermaston Wharf. The road bridge was being repaired again and we were advised that we may have to wait. As it turned out, we didn’t. On approaching the bridge, the workmen kindly opened it for us and we happily sailed on through. What happened next was just shear thoughtlessness.
Aldermaston Lock is right next to the road bridge and CRT workmen were milling around the lock. As we came through the bridge, the lock was empty and the gates were open, but as we approached, the lock gates were swung shut. I was forced to change course and head for the bank but the wind was blowing me in the opposite direction. I scrambled to get the boat tied up. Ian, in the meantime went to find out what had happened. The workmen had seen us – they had waved at us when Ian whistled for their attention, so why had they shut the gate ‘in our face’? Their answer… because they can!
No wonder CRT
has a bad name! Courtesy cost nothing but it was still too much for them to
pay. I was still irritated when we arrived in the marina an hour later.
We didn’t leave
the marina till next morning. After replenishing fuel and water and disposing
of disposables, we spent a lovely afternoon in the garden chatting to Mick and
Sue. Don’t even ask how much we had to drink...all I can say is that chatting
is thirsty work!
Friday
morning and we were behind schedule! We had allowed 5 days to navigate 19 miles
and 22 locks and it was the morning of day 5 and we still had 8 miles and 9
locks to go. The day was trying to warm up but there was still that nasty
chilly wind around. Still, it wasn’t raining. For that we were thankful. We
made good time and arrived in Newbury by mid- afternoon. Many of the boats had
arrived so we were warmly greeted by old friends, many of whom we hadn’t seen
for over a year. The day was rounded off with a Fish and Chips supper in the
K&A Trust house at the Wharf. Over a glass of wine, both Ian and I signed
up for voluntary duty.
Saturday morning and the weather turned foul. It
was supposed to be a day for decorating boats, polishing brass-work and
generally catching up on gossip. Instead it was a day when everyone battened
down the hatches and kept dry. Rain and wind conspired against us. Alex and Gene arrived early enough for us to
have breakfast at the coffee shop and we were in no hurry to leave to brave the
elements. However, I had duty on the information stand so we reluctantly
returned to the boats. Alex and Gene kept me company and I soon had
Alex handing out leaflets to people passing by.
The weather deteriorated and people were becoming scares. By the end of my duty,
I was thankful to get to the boat and brew a nice cuppa. Ian’s
duty was to help erect the marquee and by the time he was called for the wind speed
had increased so it was quite comical to watch him and others in their endeavours.
If I was able to draw a comic cartoon it would have been of 10 people hanging
onto a half erected marquee which was intent on being blown down the park lawns
into the boating lake.
The weather improved a little on Sunday. The park was buzzing with stalls but there was not the usual crowd of people. The ice-cream stalls were certainly not going to make much of a profit on this day. The Mayor arrived with the Town Crier to open the festival and judge the best dressed boats. It was so different from last year when we boated on the boat pond or sat on the grass in the park and ate ice-creams.
The day ended with
the usual duck race. A cascade of yellow ducks was poured from the bridge and
we all yelled for our duck to win. I don’t know who first thought of this ridiculous
(but wonderful) idea to raise funds but it is a lot of fun and ticket sales are
hot. All aboard Winedown had front row seats as we watched the yellow stream float
past us and on to the finishing line.
A few of the
boats left the mooring soon after the duck race but most left on Monday
morning. Again, we were in no particular hurry so we stayed moored at the Wharf
till Tuesday morning. Shortly before setting off, Ian had a call from Mark
Emery. Sally had tragically died in a car accident the night before. She had been
to collect daughter Charlotte from a Judo meeting and was returning home when
the accident happened. I was utterly shocked. It is a stern reminder of just
how fragile life is. I still find it hard to believe. I don’t know how we got
back to the marina because the day passed in a blur of automated activity. I
was stunned! Wherever you are now Sally, we will never forget you.
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