Day 6 - Hungerford to Newbury Promising weather forecast but short on delivery first thing. Had a long conversation with a boater who seemed to have developed a paranoia about hire boaters who, he claimed had caused him grievous injuries and much harassment. Told him, when I could get a word in edgeways, that we've generally not had much of a problem with them in our years on the K&A. Chugged off at 09:10 and hollered at Trevor on nb Wyrd just below Hungerford Lock - he was on the phone, but waved. Then worked solo down to Kintbury where we paused at 11:20 for water - moderately efficient tap. As the hose was being inexpertly rolled up at 11:55, nb Adams Apple showed up and they [liveaboard owner + guest steerer] turned out to be excellent travelling companions. I am nursing a sore shin from a windlass incident at Dun Mill Lock [no, I did NOT leave it on the spindle] but the weather improved radically and that added to the general lightness of mood on board. Got a prime spot on the VMs above West MIlls bridge at about 15:20 then pottered into town for supplies and other shore-leave fripperies. Settled down with a good book each in the sunshine when there was a sudden huge bang as we were struck rather hard by - you guessed it -a bunch of hire boaters. This morning's opinion instantly revised - and there was a short outbreak of Tourettes - but no apparent damage other than to the already shabby paintwork. Still fit to sit outside on the foredeck as I write at 21:00 - a rather good day altogether.
8mi, 5fl; 11 locks; 5.43 engine hours
