A bit of "intensive tourism" fairly close to home.

We passed through Devizes avoiding the traffic jams of the Easter
break last year, thought it looked interesting enough for a visit,
having both Wadworth's brewery and the Kennet and Avon canal. The Bear
Hotel (why so many "Bears" round there?) was the obvious front runner
to stay at and proved to be excellent. The menus are quite
conservative but very well executed. (this is true "Middle England"
country) Beer is of course from Wadworths, 6X, Henry's and
Summersault. The "full english" included kidney and all the food is
sourced in Wiltshire where possible.
Alternative eating is at two italians, two indians (one looked
innovative - "curried carp balls") and of course the many and various
pubs. Thankfully there isn't too much to do, there is a small museum
and in the afternoon you can visit the dray horses that deliver the
(wooden casked) beer in the mornings. Other than that its walk up the
canal or walk down the canal.
Bear "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk/devizes1467.htm"
Saturday
We walked down Caen Hill towards Bath first. This is the biggest lift
on the canal system, 29 locks take narrow boats up the 130 foot hill
in 29 locks, (this section of the 18C canal was the last to be brought
back into use in about 1990 IIRC).Its a daunting task if you don't
have a big crew. If the water is against you that's 116 paddles (to
open with a windlass) and the same number of gates to open and close
and sometimes they are quite hard to budge and you have to "put your
back into it". It takes 3 to 5 hours.
Flight "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/devizes1459.htm"
Sunday
Next day it was towards the Thames and part of the thankfully long
lock free stretch following Caen Hill to "The Bridge". An immaculately
run traditional canal side pub. I had a lamb suet pudding, the sort of
food that takes a year off your life if not walking, cycling or
working a boat. Carol had a fish and seafood crumble, topped with
piniones (pine nuts) for a change.
Bridge Inn "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/devizes1461.htm"
Monday
After at least a month without rain, what happens on a bank holiday?
Indeed, rain :-( But what's a bit of rain, Devizes was able to muster
a nice little selection of vintage cars, a climbing wall, roundabout,
live steam model trains and a Punch and Judy show "that's the way to
do it". And of course the Devizes brass band and Morris side. all
very english and tells you more about this England than ticking off
Tower Bridge and Stonehenge ever will.
--
Mike Reid
Devizes "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk/devizes.htm"