Summer Solstice.

1 Lock, 3½ Miles. Now moored at Dundas Aqueduct.
438 locks, 560 miles, 17 Tunnels, 18 swing bridges and 9 lift bridges since Nov 2006

As we were only on 24 hour moorings we thought that we would water up as the tap was directly in front of us and move closer to Bath. Even though we only travelled a short distance it took quite a while due to the presence of endless lines of moored boats.
The first aquaduct we came to was the Avoncliff Aqueduct which has a 90 deg turn on to and off the aqueduct. Due to trees and walls the helmsman is blind as to whether there are any boats approaching or not so it pays to sound the horn.
Successfully over that we entered a beautiful stretch of canal passing through a heavily wooded area which on a hot day would make ideal shaded moorings. No worry about that today though as we are still under overcast skies with occasional showers.
When we arrived at the Dundas Aqueduct there were two 24 hour moorings available on the approach side of the aqueduct and Dundas wharf which we moored up to smartly.

This photo was taken of the aqueduct from the edge of the river avon below.

After lunch we went for a walk across the aqueduct which carries the canal about 40 feet above the Avon River and the West Country railway line. The entrance to the Somerset Coal canal has a new lift bridge across it which leads to the Dundas wharf. Back across the lift bridge we then walked along the towpath of the Somerset Coal canal to the basin where redevelopment has taken place with a café, cycle hire and small museum. There is supposed to be a boat yard but the only evidence we saw were hire canoes, dinghies and small runabouts.

At the end of the canal is what used to be a tunnel under the road which now has doors across it and appears to be in use as a wet dock? There are calor gas tanks and 44 gallon drums of what could be used engine oil stored next to the tunnel which is probably to service the 40 or so boats moored along both sides of the canal. We could have taken Gypsy Rover down the canal but with boats moored on both sides you would be lucky to get 2 boats past each other so we can say we have been there, done that on foot.

Calling all dogs, this makes interesting reading. Narrowboaters will recognise the frustration of the writer. (to read it click on the photo)