The Caen Hill Experience!

An amazing experience! The Caen Hill flight certainly is an impressive bit of engineering. Set off this morning at about 8.00am to get to the flight. After stopping to purchase a new Aluminium windlass having left mine by the side of a swing bridge, (!) We finally arrived at the flight at 12.30. Fortunately for the weary traveller, the iconic image of the flight stretching off into the distance is not seen as you approach it on the downward passage. There is, however, the need for a sharp intake of breath as you lock through the first of the 'proper' flight locks and the countryside rolls out before you. We even had the help of a young family who, in return for a boat ride down a few locks, helped with gates etc for a few more!

Just as we were approaching the last few locks, rumbles were heard and flashes seen! Sure enough, the heavens opened and we emerged from the last lock almost drowned - I just about managed to get this shot from inside the back cabin!

It was actually a welcome cloud burst that temporarilly cooled us off!

Currently moored at Sells Green and getting ready for a well deserved pub meal this evening!

One of the joys of this trip has been passing so many boats whose names are familiar from 'tinternet. Having already mentioned some it is worth mentioning a few more this evening. The other day we passed NB Epiphany and exchanged pictures and a quick passing greeting with John and Fiona.

Today we passed NB Ramyshome just below the flight. Again, a passing greeting was exchanged with Maureen from the side hatch as we ticked past and I managed to get this very 'cut off' grab shot!

The frequency of locks seems to have subsided now into a more respectable cruise interspersed with more occasional locks. Tomorrow we should be in Bath, Wednesday Bristol and the turnaround for the trip back home - unless we decide to brave the Bristol Channel!!

(Note to the reader who left an anonymous comment - shame you didn't leave an email address as I would have appreciated the chance to offer a more full explanation than a public forum allows. Please do email me privately if you wish and I will explain - in my experience in education, I often find there are 2 sides to every story and sometimes more detail than is apparent at first ;-)