Day 16 - Crofton to Horton Bridge We did not rush off this morning and allowed 2 or 3 lock-fulls to go up Crofton Bottom Lock which has only one top paddle working [a situation which has persisted since last year] and is therefore slow to fill. We chugged up to it at about 09:10 and filled in lock filling time by filling our water tank from the tap just above the lock while the boat rose. Theoretically this also have helped speed the lock operation. The boat was very sluggish on leaving the lock but a good burst of reverse once it was tied in Lock 59 shifted whatever was on the prop and we then had a good run to the summit, clearing Lock 55 by 10:50. The few drops of rain falling as we entered Bruce Tunnel had turned into a deluge of Goretex-challenging proportions by the time we emerged but at least I could pause in the tunnel mouth to get wet weather gear on. Actually an aqualung would've been more use. On arrival at Cadley Lock [54] at 11:40 we paused and I picked some mulberrys from the tree overhanging the offside - with the permission of the householder, I should add. We were then harangued by a daft woman who turned out to be from nb Talisker which had preceded us over the summit, wanting us to flush water down to refloat a boat between Locks 53 and 52. This was fair enough, but her technique was to open both top paddles with a bottom gate were still open and she wouldn't desist. Needless to say the other gate closed with a bang and, despite the full and frank exchange of views which followed, she repeated the same at Brimslade Lock. I have named and shamed here as I think this was the most dangerous thing I have ever seen a boater do. Be that as it may, we emerged unscathed from Wootton Rivers Lock by 13:55 and then chugged off westwards in various degrees of rain - me steering and Lynne spring-cleaning the ship for evening visitors. By about 16:30 the skies cleared and we had a very pleasant last couple of hours before arriving at the pub moorings at Horton Bridge. The rendezvous with our friends John and Sue was then achieved and we ate heartily in the Bridge Inn, which is very boater orientated. Back to the boat for cheese & bikkies, scotch and frothy coffee before a not-particularly-early night, given that it's Caen Hill tomorrow.
16mi, 2fl; 10 locks; 2 bridges; 7.98 engine hours Baz
