Jannock Trip Reports - K & A page 1

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	28th May 2001 Abingdon to Burghfield H.C. 6709 - 6719 Distance 34 miles Locks 12
	Crew - Matt, Brenda & Graham
We joined the Kennet and Avon canal at Reading and discovered "Evil Locks" with fast flowing bypass wiers that exit just where you don't need them to. Ho Hum ..... should we turn back now for the subliminaly easy life on the Thames? Stopped for the evening at Burghfield and obtained a nosebag at The Cunning Man. Food, beer and service were as can be expected at a Harvester with the addition of very convenient mooring facilities. Another firework display tonight! It's very nice of these good citizens to welcome us into their boroughs by laying on displays on 2 nights in a row!
	29th May 2001 Burghfield to Aldermaston H.C. 6719 - 6723 Distance 6 miles Locks 8 Swing/Lift bridges 5
	Crew - Matt, Brenda and Graham
	What a beautiful day! the weather was lovely and so was the scenery; lush meadows filled with buttercups and even the odd cow ... a very rare sight since the foot & mouth episode started! The locks have been a bit of a trial, too long, too wide and with wicked wiers etc. to complicate matters. Managed to take a "postcard picture" of Jannock leaving Shenfield lock.
We became confused by a huge dutch barge named 'Saul trader'. As we approached we could see that it appeared to be moored but we were unable to determine which side of the canal it was moored to. As we cautiously approached we could see the mooring ropes going off on the towpath side but the boat appeared to be in the middle of the cut. It turned out that she was aground and waiting for the men in green to attend. Subsequently, 3 vanloads of BW staff arrived complaining that this was the 4th time in two weeks that they had to attend this vessel in order to pull it off the bottom. They were hoping that it was so near to the Thames now, that it might " bu*er off to Holland and leave them alone " They had moved it by the time Jannock came back this way in August 2001*
	We arrived at Aldermaston early afternoon, passed through the lift bridge and lock and moored above the lock next to Slow Motion, Tina Warwick's boat. They had left her there the Saturday before and were planning to continue the following weekend. Simon and his trusty metro arrived on time to transport us home.
	1st June 2001 Aldermaston to Newbury The next stage of our trip can be found on the Jannock Educational Trust page.
	9th June 2001 Newbury to Hungerford HC 6731 - 6736 Distance 8 miles 12 locks
	Crew - Matt, Friedreich, Simon, Brenda and Graham
The logbook entry for today was completed by Friedreich (Matts German exchange student from Bonn) in German ..... I have scanned it in below for any German (or German reading) visitors to our site. We travelled from Newbury to Hungerford and experienced "Trip Boat Day" having met Avon at Newbury and Kennet Valley at Kintbury.

We arrived at Hungerford and filled with water at a muddy, but recently improved sanitary point just to the east of the town. We completed the day with a very good meal in the 'Plume of Feathers' just up the high street from Hungerford bridge. There is a launderette at Hungerford, turn right at the second mini roundabout heading up the high street from the canal.
	10th June 2001 Hungerford to Great Bedwyn HC 6736 - 6740 Distance 5.5 miles 11 locks
	Crew - Matt, Friedreich, Simon, Brenda and Graham
	A cliche' English summers morn; as we cast off the church bells began to ring out into a clear blue sky. We introduced Friedreich to porridge for breakfast, which was enjoyed with Simon sized dollops of chocolate spread mixed in. Uneventful cruising through lovely countryside to Great Bedwyn. We had hoped to walk up into the village to visit the stonemason's house (not to be missed when in the area) but the boys wanted to get home for an exchange group BBQ. Maybe next time ..... We hope that Friedreich had an enjoyable English experience during his two days on board.
	24th June 2001 Great Bedwyn to Hungerford HC 6740 - 6745 Distance 5.5 miles 11 locks
	Crew - Pat, Emily, Simon, Brenda and Graham
Emily and I joined Brenda, Graham & Simon on a stress free day on Jannock (well, it was stress free for us anyway!) The sun shone and Emily sunbathed on the roof as well as having a go at steering and opening the locks. We shared many locks with John and Joan on nb-Florence Rose and so we stopped off in the shade of a large tree and shared lunch with them (they provided the wine which was very much appreciated) Whilst having lunch in the middle of the towpath, we accosted passing walkers and cyclists with sausage rolls and would not let them pass until they had eaten them. All in all, a lovely relaxing day ..... Thanks guys!! Pat.
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