Michael Tyler

Tried to stop in ‘Clench’. The water bankside was just too shallow. Lots of overhanging trees, and a thin towpath.

Didn’t bother, after a couple of minutes pushing myself out of the mud, took the 2 mile or so journey to Wootton Rivers.

Wootton Rivers

There’s some winter moorings here, water points and disposal.

There is also a pub.

Civilised compared to Milkhouse Water.

For some reason, it seems much brighter, less dank and oppressive, which Milkhouse Water sometimes felt.

Visitor moorings

I’m moored in the visitors moorings, which are usually 1 day, but under winter mooring rules convert to 14 days.

I’ve got rings to moor to and the towpath isn’t too muddy.

It’s 50m or so from the road and 5m from the waterpoint.

Now going to cycle back to the car, which according to googlemaps is 2.2 miles down ‘un-named roads’.

Facilities

• Parking
• Water point
• Waste disposal
• 1 Day visitor moorings

Visitor mooring basically means you’re on rings, ie. you don’t have the complications of mooring to the bank, which on the Kennet and Avon means a ‘boarding plank’ and mooring pins.

A new and sophisticated method of measuring the draft.

I once measured the draft; most marinas ask for it along with insurance details, length, safety certificated and other details.

However, this isn’t much good on the cut. Mooring up in somewhere more permanent, you want to get a decent depth so your not run aground which will cause your boat to sit awkwardly, and may cause damage to the hull.

Clench

Seeing as my walk was not far, I measured some of the depths with this new device I have developed.