Devizes

After the long climb up the K&A I dropped through only one lock before enjoying a 12 mile lock free trip to Devizes.  The weather remained unseasonably warm and dry and the views over the vale of Pewsey were quite stunning.

The canal is crossed by this rather splendid bridge - much more ornate than the usual workmanlike simple brick built affairs.  Apparently this stretch was owned by Lady Susannah Wroughton who was not keen to see the canal cut through her land but eventually agreed after payment of £500 and the building of this ornate bridge.

A few miles from Devizes I passed the final swing bridge of the day. These can be hard to operate single handed but are much easier than the lift bridges on the Oxford canal. 

I moored up by the wharf in Devizes early on Saturday afternoon and spent the rest of the day exploring the town and the canal side museum. The next stage of the journey is a rapid descent down the 29 locks of Caen Hill.  I decided to take a rest on Sunday and will head down the flight tomorrow. I've seen a couple of boats come up the flight today so hopefully the locks will be set in my favour.  

This afternoon I was treated to the sight of this beautiful steam powered launch. The boat has a small stem engine which drives the propeller and requires a minimum crew of two. One to look after the engine and one at the helm.