The Barge, Honeystreet - Kennet and Avon Canal

 As usual we were off just after 6am and discovered one of the few disadvantages of being early.  An empty pound before the top lock at Crofton.

The centre was deepish, but I had to go and send some water down before David could get the boat through.

At the top lock at Little Bedwyn there was this sign on the lock.  I always find it baffling about emptying a full lock to leave it empty to save water, so I posted the question on  "The Friendly Narrowboaters" page on Facebook.  It was suggested that the top gates may drift open if the lock is left full and then water leaks through the bottom lock OR the lock is so badly maintained that water leaks through the lock walls.  Take your pick.

We carried on down the locks and onto the long pound and found  a fishing match, so what with the moored up boats and the fishermen it was a tedious run to the shiny new pilings at Pewsey.  Which were full to bursting, so we had to go on to Honeystreet, where we found a spot right outside the pub garden.

A slightly familiar face came walking up and we had found Keith who used to moor around Birmingham a couple of years ago, he has migrated down to the K&A.  Well it was a good excuse for a beer and a chinwag in the sunshine.

A picture I found on the internet which was matted onto black and red and white spotty paper.  A red and black spotty bow was added to the top left hand corner and a black and white spotty bow was added to the bottom right hand corner.  The panel was then stuck onto a white card blank and 3 red gems were fixed to the bottom right hand corner.