The Great Descent - Wednesday 1st May 2013

A beautiful sunny morning so once again we were up early just in time to catch the mist rising from the water as the sun came up over the trees. Quite and eerie scene.

Heading off up the next two locks we left the vale of Pewsey behind and travelled along the short summit pound.

We were soon travelling through the Short 502 yds. Bruce Tunnel dedicated to Thomas Bruce, Earl of Aylesbury and his son Charles Lord Bruce.
even thought Phoenix gets a long walk in the mornings before we set she still wants to play as we go along and here she is with Patch her birthday toy, which surprisingly is still in one piece and has not been dropped overboard yet.

We soon reached Crofton Top Lock where the Leet can be seen entering the canal on the left bringing the water from the Pump House at the bottom of the locks. It would be easy to miss it as we did on the way up as it is very overgrown. This is the start of the Great Descent down to the River Thames.
Half way down the locks we met our first boat on the move and then another at the bottom lock. The youngsters on board a Bruce Trust boat moored by the Pump House decided to help us through the last lock which was most welcome and then we caught with Annie and Gordon on Nb Shiloh to go through the last two locks to Great Bedwyn.
We saw our first brood of Canadian Geese goslings as we descended the locks so Spring must be on its way.

The weather has certainly warmed up today as we are now having lunch in short sleeved shirts, a first for this year, moored up in Great Bedwyn after another enjoyable leisurely cruise.