Kennet & Avon Canal Blipmeet

It was an exciting day today as I went to Devizes on the bus and met up with Geraldine, a fellow blipper. After we had had our coffee we headed towards the Kennet and Avon Canal and decided that a walk along the towpath would be a good idea. The clouds were looking rather fearsome, but we decided that we had waterproof skin and if the heavens opened, then let blessings pour out!!

We had a few spots of rain, but it was mainly dry and we enquired of someone on a barge whether he knew of any hostelries along the way where we could have a meal. He pointed us in the direction of The Black Horse, which he said was about 3 locks along. He told us that he and his wife had been on the canal for 2 weeks and had visited lots of different places, including the River Wey and were now on their way back as they lived at the bottom of the Caen Hill Locks.

However, they told us that one of the locks was out of action as it had been damaged by a barge and they had to wait until this was put right before they could negotiate them. The man mentioned that it was his birthday, so G and I duly sang Happy Birthday to him - I think he appreciated it - although probably thought two mad women were on the loose!!

We found The Black Horse and had a wonderful lunch - beer battered cod with chips and peas - thank you G - and then walked back along the towpath taking lots of photographs on the way, of course and by this time, the sun had come out, which was a real bonus.

The bottom picture shows a man we stopped to talk to on his barge, The Big Apple. He told us he and his wife had sold up their home when the children had moved out, he had given up his job, and they bought the barge and now they just go up and down the canal stopping as and when they feel like it. He finds some work to keep them going - while his wife still goes out to work in Devizes - and they just enjoy life. What a great way to live!

The top left picture is G leaning nonchalantly on one of the lock arms and the top right is a colourful canal barge.

We could have caught the 4 p.m. bus, but decided that another drink would set us up for our journeys - in opposite directions. We have had a wonderful day together - and Mr HCB and I look forward to seeing G and S when they are back in the UK, hopefully at Christmas.

P.S. Mr HCB was impressed that I had been out for a whole day and had not been into ONE shop!!

P.P.S. Talk about Murphy's Law - the ONE day I get a fab photo of a butterfly on a buddleia bush, I don't want to use it, as I wanted today's blip to be about my blip meet!! :-(