A trip home and back to Bradford

9 miles, 2 swing-bridges and 1 lock.

Before Jo caught the train back to Stevenage, we took the Folly Footbridge across the canal and walked up the hill to get a panoramic view of Bath.

Jo went home and Robin fitted the new water filter. He explored Bath by bike and bought Scooby a new extendable lead to replace the fraying one we had. On Friday he moved out of Bath to Claverton. There was a swing-bridge to negotiate, not easy on your own when the bridge working are not on the same side as the mooring. Robin solved the problem by asking a passing cyclist to open and close the bridge for him. Photos were taken by the cyclists wife and they had a tale to tell in return for their help! Taking Scooby for an evening walk at Claverton, Robin saw three glow-worms which cheered him up immensely. On Saturday he moved to Avoncliff in time to greet a returning Jo at the station.

On Sunday we moved the short distance back to Bradford and moored by the Tithe Barn in time to get breakfast at the famous Lock Inn.

The Lock Inn at Bradford-on-Avon

 Bradford was lovely in the sunshine but very busy on the Sunday. Scooby was on constant guard, what with canoeists on the canal to the right of him and dogs on the towpath to the left.
Jo explored the town and Robin went paddle-boarding on the river which wasn't entirely a success; he was attacked by horseflies and then fell in when the board hit a rock when he was coming in to land. However, no harm done apart form a mouthful of gravel and river water. There were muttering about it being a young man's game and the virtues of canoes....

On Monday we did a big shop in Sainsburys. On Tuesday it poured with rain so we didn't do much at all except be fed up with the terrible TV reception as we tried to watch Wimbledon.

On Wednesday we moved up above the lock where there are Gs for doing the blog, TV (so long as you don't need ITV) and radio reception. We are loitering about because we have crew (Verity and Ian) coming to help us up the Caen Hill flight at the weekend and we are meeting them at the Barge Inn at Seend on Friday.