Devizes

Tuesday/Wednesday, 22/23 July 2014

Hot, hot, hot.  That's all I want to say really....... Only joking.  Unusually hot.  So many  little insects too.  Pete and Susan seem to be constantly swatting at insects in the evening.......  Mazey is constantly panting...  Poor dog.

It was such a shame to leave our lovely spot at All Cannings but we have to move on as I was getting full and needed pumpout and thirsty for more water.

Mazey and Susan walked to the first swing-bridge and then got on board as it was too hot to walk.

Swing Bridge on Kennet and Avon

The canal narrowed in places due to extensive reeds...  Susan to her delight saw lots of large dragonflies flying around.  Also a few herons.

After completing two swing-bridges we arrive in Devizes marina for pump-out and water.  There are no overnight vacancies here.

We carry on to the Wharf at Devizes.

Devizes Wharf

No spaces here.  Susan has to leap off the front and go ask another boater if he would kindly move his boat forward a few feet so that we can tag on the end.  Susan even offered to do it herself - as he was bit old...  NO!!!  He was not going to move no matter what Susan said.  It's the first time that I have heard Pete raise his voice in annoyance...

Susan even asked a hotel boat if we could moor alongside them.  They were more polite but also said NO as they had customers on board who would not like it.

So we eventually moor up against a work boat.

The Work Boat we attach to

Pete has to stay to look after me just in case the owners of the work boat arrive and want me to move.  Meanwhile, Susan walks to Sainsbury's and gets loads of shopping and hauls it back about 1/2 a mile.  THEN she goes back again in the searing heat.  She was exhausted when she finally made it back.

Whilst Susan was away the second time, Pete convinced another boater to help him move the working boat up a few feet so that I could squeeze in behind the hotel boat and the working boat.  Everyone, except the old man, was very helpful.  Eventually, I wedge my huge body into the space.  Susan was happy when she got back to find out that we had a proper mooring for the next 72 hours.

Total 6 miles and 2 swing bridges


Another warm day.  Pete decides to move me again as some of the boats have now moved on.  I like my new mooring.  More space to breath.

Second mooring in Devizes

Later, Pete was praised by another boater for the way he handled me by reversing into the winding hole and then placing me into the new mooring.  I do try to do my best......

Susan and Pete go for a walk into Devizes and visit the Wadworth Brewery.  Since 1885, when the brewery was built, Shire horses were being used.  Susan loved seeing the two shire horses Monty and Max.  Apparently, every time Susan went to walk away from Monty he kicked his stable door to get more attention and cuddles.  Susan found it hard to leave him.  Max was asleep.

Lovely Monty

Name Plates for Max and Monty

Monty and Max are used to deliver beer, wines, spirits and soft drinks to the local Wadworth pubs and customers around Devizes.  There used to be 40 horses but sadly now there are only two.  Monty is 6 feet (18 hands and weighs 1 ton - pretty heavy as I weigh 16 tons) and is 10 years old.  Max is 11 years old (18.2 hands) and even taller by 2".  There are a number of different carriages (work and show drays) that are used and harnesses depending on whether they are on local deliveries or competitions.

At 6:00pm Pete switches my engine on to replenish the batteries.  When he switches off at 6:45pm a couple of people sitting up on the balcony opposite shout 'Thank You".  We have been warned about some people who live on the canal who are upset by boaters switching on their engines and this is the first time we have come across it.  Why live there if it worries them?  Humans can be so odd!!!

Looking forward to moving soon and completing the 29 locks in the 2.5 mile stretch through Caen Hill.  Probably will do this on Friday.  Come back and see if we have.  Night night.