Family Boat Trip 2016

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The Kennet and Avon Canal from Hilperton to Bath and back.

Where?

Address and contact details of the boatyard

Hilperton Marina
Hammond Way
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8RS

Tel.: 01225 765 243

Documents supplied by the boatyard

When?

Monday 23rd May 2016 → Friday 27th May 2016.

We need to take charge of the boat at 2.30pm on the Monday and return it by 9am on the Friday.

Getting there

Pre-trip pub

TBD

Food

Groceries

TBD.

Boat information

This year's boat is "Lark". It has two fixed double beds. There are two bathrooms each with a toilet and shower.

Television

Whilst the boat does have a television, we have never before been very successful in tuning them, so best not to plan on watching any TV.

Electrical power

The boat has a 12v charger point like you have in a car. It's listed as having 240v normal mains sockets as well.

Stuff we generally need

  • Guide book.
  • Waterpoof map case for the guide books.
  • Got one somewhere. – Andy
  • 12v car power socket to USB power, for charging phones etc.
  • I've got one of those somewhere. – Andy
  • GPS.
(This is not for navigation! Obviously there's only two possible ways to go, and as the boat is longer than the canal is wide you can't turn around by accident anyway without breaking the laws of physics. It's so that we can put in the waypoints that are of interest and have some idea how we are progressing without having to keep referring to maps and bridge/lock numbers.)
  • Batteries for radios.

Comms

Two-way radios have proven useful in the past. Otherwise the person steering can't speak with anyone that's not with them on the stern. Talking to people ahead preparing locks is also of benefit. At least two?

Stuff each person needs to bring

Space on the boat—and probably more importantly in the cars—will be limited, so try not to over pack. A large holdall for clothes and a small backpack for other bits and pieces seems reasonable.

Note that all bed linen is provided so you don't need to bring any of that. You will need to bring your own towel however. All cooking utensils and crockery etc. are also provided.

  • Waterproof clothing.
We may end up having to steer the boat and do locks in the pouring rain.
  • Gloves.
For locks.
  • A torch.
If you have one; we may run out of power some nights, plus for walking to pub, etc. Towpaths are generally unlit and tripping over a mooring pin into the canal would not be awesome.
  • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.
Just in case it happens to be sunny.

Clothing considerations

Casual clothing that you don't mind getting dirty/worn is best. Jeans are fine, though if it rains can get waterlogged. Due to the possible weather conditions do bring a few sets of clothing as you may end up stuck outdoors in the rain for several hours after which you'll definitely want a change of clothes. Because we have to continue to make progress even in pouring rain, having at least a waterproof jacket with hood is recommended. The boatyard should supply one set of waterproofs for the steerer, but you might prefer your own and other people also need to be outside to do locks/bridges.

Footwear with decent grip is essential. Trainers are good most of the time, though if it's raining a pair of boots won't go a miss. You'll probably want to have more than one set of footwear in case one set gets soaked and needs to be dried.

There will be drying facilities to some extent on the boat, though obviously drying space is limited. There will be some radiators and an airing cupboard.

Entertainment etc.

  • Cards
  • Books
  • Music

Planned route and schedule for the trip

TBD.

Overall statistics of the route itself

TBD.

Total distance is 67.32 miles and 34 locks. There are at least 12 small aqueducts or underbridges and 2 tunnels (including Blisworth Tunnel (3056 yards long)).

This will take 28 hours, 52 minutes which is 4 days, 52 minutes at 7 hours per day. You have asked for it to be done in 3 days, each of which will be 7 hours and 17 minutes.

Some guesses as to where we would like to start / end each day

TBD.

If the unlikely event that we really need to push it, sun rise and sun set will be the limit of when we can drive the boat. They're at approximately 04:45 BST and 21:20 BST respectively.

Mon 3rd June

Suggested stop: Castlethorpe Wharf Bridge No. 64 (guide book page 77)
Suggested pubs: The Navigation, MK19 7BE, 01908 543156. Very close to bridge 64.
Stats: 9.64 miles and 7 locks and will take 4 hours 44 minutes.

Tue 4th June

Suggested start: Castlethorpe Wharf Bridge No. 64
Suggested stop: Grove Lock No. 28 (guide book page 67)
Suggested pubs: Grove Lock, LU7 0QU, 01525 380940. Very close to lock 28. More pubs further on in Slapton.
Stats: 21.70 miles and 7 locks and will take 8 hours 14 minutes.

Wed 5th June

Suggested start: Grove Lock No. 28
Suggested stop: Groveway Bridge No.90C (guide book page 71)
Suggested pubs: The Plough at Simpson, MK6 3AH, 01908 691515. Between Simpson Aqueduct and Bowlers Bridge No.91.
Stats: 15.56 miles and 12 locks and will take 7 hours 37 minutes.

Thu 6th June

Suggested start: Groveway Bridge No.90C
Suggested stop: Blisworth Tunnel South End (guide book page 79)
Suggested pubs:
Stats: 16.67 miles and 8 locks and will take 7 hours 17 minutes.

Fri 7th June

Suggested start: Blisworth Tunnel South End
Stop: Gayton Marina (guide book page 80)
Suggested pubs: N/A
Stats: 3.74 miles and 0 locks and will take 1 hour.

Stoppages

No relevant stoppages

Document version of planned route

TBD.

Photo links

TBD.