Today, being a Sunday, was a day of rest so we were up early and knocked off the last 6 locks mentioned yesterday by lunchtime. We are now moored next to the Wadworth brewery in the middle of Devizes where we have done our washing! We came prepared for a weeks holiday but now we have extended it we need some clean clothes. Amongst all this excitement we did manage to visit the Kennet and Avon canal museum which is much like the House on Crutches museum, run by volunteers who turn out to keep it going. The Kennet and Avon Canal is a monument to local volunteers, by 1950 it was derelict with several sections completely dry when a group of volunteers got together led by a chap called John Gould to raise money and carry out repairs to restore the canal. It took 25 years but in the end they managed to restore the whole length of the canal which is now a great amenity, not just for boaters but anyone in the area wanting to go for a walk, jog or let their dog crap outside.
Close to the canal was Devizes jail where they used to have public hangings, the canal ferry companies organised trips to watch the proceedings.
In 1824 two locals were hung for theft and violent assault whereas John Marks got away with just publishing an apology in the paper (see photo). He did have a Tythingman vouching for him, I looked this term up and it seems a Tythingman was a man who was held responsible for a local area.
After visiting the museum we had a very nice lunch in a posh restaurant, so good we have booked in for our return journey next Friday evening. Tomorrow we have a lock-less day, this stretch of canal is called the Long Pound, 13 miles with no locks, it might make for a dull day.