Over the top

Wednesday: 0 anything
Thursday: 7 miles, 9 locks and 1 tunnel

On Wednesday we lurked in Pewsey. One of the locks just before the summit was being repaired and it seemed as good as any place to wait. There were nice views from the moorings.

Pewsey town is small but has a chemist, a co-op and a nice tea-shop! It also has a statue of King Alfred commemorating its long history as a hub in Wessex.

We tried out The Waterfront pub for dinner on Tuesday evening it was very nice.

Pewsey Wharf and the Waterfront Pub

 However, during the night there was a huge thunderstorm so we had a trembling dog on the bed for a couple of hours. The next day both he and Robin caught up on some sleep!

Thursday was a bit grey to start with but brightened up as the day went on. We set off up the last few locks to the summit of the K&A. Cadley lock, the top one, has a very pretty cottage and garden and views of the hills behind.

 
Then we were as high as the canal gets. Burbage Wharf has original canal buildings and a restored wooden wharf crane to remind us that the canal once supported a different sort of industry.

We went through the Bruce Tunnel which marks the very top.

Then we were heading down again. We just got to the Crofton top lock just before 3pm when the CRT volunteer would lock it up for the day. He and a colleague helped us down the flight, padlocking the gates up behind us. During this dry season they have been restricting the opening hours to conserve water at the summit and therefore in the whole canal. The sun was out and with help at the locks, it was a really lovely place to be. We moored in the pound opposite the pumping station, just as we had on the way up.