We had a lovely afternoon cruise in spring sunshine from Theale to above Aldermaton lock with Annie and Clem on nb Adromeda who were heading for Frouds Bridge Marina. We moored above the lock near bridge 29.
The pictures below are in no order but reflect on the busy area around Aldrmaston which was a very busy inland area in the early 1800's with a large brewery and then in later years a rail/canal intercharge built by the Great Westrern Railway, which we are in constant contact with all the way along. This canal is getting better and better, it has so many idiosyncrasies in every mile. Most of the people we spoke to on the way down the Oxford told us about the heavy lock gates. In fact they are not bad at all, the ones on the Buckby flight on the GU are much heavy. Whats much more demanding/exciting on this first part is the river current that can easily catch you out. I went for a cycle last night and came across a hire boat that had been spun completly around. I managed to get them turned around again and moored up. I don't think the hire company had given them any info on the river and what to expect.
The old Wharf Managers house
Waiting for the lift bridge across the busy road to go up. In fact its switched off in the morning and evening rush hours.
Aldermaston lock which was originally a turf sided luck but was rebuilt before the canal closed with scolloped brick edging.
Nb Black Bess and Andromeda awaiting the lock to fill with the lift bridge behind.
The old brewery Malthouse now houses.
Upton swing bridge with an old lock of 1ft 9inches deep built in 1830 to maintain the deep of the pound
