Burghfield

Map Reference SU 67992 70771

Distance 3.6 Miles

Total 112 Locks 6 Tunnels

After a peaceful night in the shadow of the, soon to be closed, Reading Gaol, we have moved on to Burghfield which is just a short hop along the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is different to be back on the canal again after a week on the River Thames as there is much more resistance to forward motion on the canals as compared to the river.

 Passing through Fobney Lock proved to be something of a challenge since the purified water being returned to the River Kennet is discharged from the water treatment works at the lock landing stage which makes unloading the crew to operate the lock somewhat difficult. The first attempt nearly ended in disaster as I stepped off the narrowboat onto the landing stage with a mooring rope in hand but due to the force of the water coming in from the treatment works was unable to bring the boat alongside as it was being pushed sideways and backwards. The ‘near disaster’ occurred as the stern of the boat caught the landing stage and trapped the rudder against it with the risk of breaking it off altogether! Managed to get back on the boat and power it forwards to take the pressure off the rudder so ultimately no harm done. The boat that came behind me as I returned for a second (successful) attempt at landing advised me that this was a particularly challenging lock, don’t think I would disagree with that!