Blue Sky Again - 30th August 2020

 Sunday 30th August 2020

Bratch Locks to Swindon Bridge No 40

2.5 miles, 5 locks

What a pleasure to wake to blue sky and some sun again.  

Nothing of particular note occurred en route.  There was plenty of traffic going both ways.  Enough to find boats at most locks, but not so much to create a queue.

Not the best picture in the world (it declined to turn round and pose), but there is (to me) just something rather appealing about a donkey

The little fisherman on the shed roof just below Swindon Lock has a new hat this year

2019

2020

And he (or maybe she?) has caught a wheel

We moored just past Swindon bridge 

Almost opposite this immaculate garden

Monty and I headed off for a wander back to the lock and then into Swindon itself to find a small row of shops - a fish and chip shop (open Wed to Sat), a tanning & beauty salon, a hairdresser and convenience store.  It would also be a good mooring to get a Tesco delivery.

Once back on the canal we walked on to the next lock.  As we progressed I became aware of the unmistakably sound of leather on willow.  Yes another cricket club - this time with a match in full swing.  Suddenly there was a cry of 'Howzat' followed by suitable clapping and cheering.  Such a delightful sound and sight on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

To add to my visual delights on the way back to the boat I spotted a hot air balloon.

A long held dream that Chris and I achieved on Lake Tahoe around the time of our 30th Wedding Anniversary.  At the time (and it may well still be the case) it was the only hot air balloon that took off and landed on a boat.  

Before we took off - it was very early in the morning and quite chilly despite being a glorious day.

Inflating the balloon

Up, up and away

The boat was long and thin, but that was the only resemblance to a narrow boat!

We are nearly back

Safely guided back onto deck

Deflating the balloon

It was certainly a day to remember!