Starting up the Avon

We reversed back to the water point and after a brief shop we set off up the Avon

Wonder of wonders it was a bright beautiful day!!  In fact our first trip on the Avon was just so lovely I didn't take many photos......I just sat back and enjoyed it.

We called in briefly at Tewkesbury marina for a gas cylinder and to empty the cassettes.  They obviously have mooring spaces as the gentlemen who served me asked where we moored and was at great pains to tell me that all their moorings were flood protected and gave me a leaflet with all their prices.   However I had looked at this when we were here about a month ago and I didn't like the prices.  A pity as it is a lovely and well kept marina in a beautiful part of the country and just on the outskirts of Tewkesbury which has a lot to offer.

As we passed Bredon Gill came down to wave to us.

Back to manual locks now...more exercise for Geoff!
This is the weir before Strensham lock our first and last of the day.

At first we didn't think there was space at the moorings at Eckington Bridge which was our goal.   However after a closer inspection we decided we could just fit in along the grassy bank.  There were still mooring bollards but we could only get the stern in for entry and exit.  Barney needed a bit of encouragement even for that and I had to dodge the nettles but it was a lovely spot and very convenient for our afternoon visitors who were due after lunch.

However we even had a picnic table right by Petroc so a quick phone was made to invite Gill & Ronnie to come in time for lunch.   

After our meal we 3 girls (ladies??) went into Pershore for a mooch.  Both Ronnie & I fell foul of a garment in a rather nice little shop......but mine was on the sale rail reduced from £35 to £5.......can't pass it by really.

During our absence Geoff was able to fit in his siesta!

Back for tea and the lovely Coffee and walnut cake Gill had baked for us...well really for Geoff as she knows it is his favourite.

Geoff left us gossiping after a while whilst he took Barney for his afternoon walk.  Soon afterwards we fell again...an ice cream van appeared....

Gill & Ronnie left just before 6 and Geoff arrived back about half an hour later a very disappointed man.  His walk had been planned to include a pint at the pub.  Unfortunately he reached the first pub at 5.40 and it didn't open until 6pm.  So he carried on to the next pub only to find it didn't open on a Monday...so I didn't mention the ice creams!

All in all an excellent day in plenty of sunshine but no thought of photographs.

Total distance:6.04 miles 

Elapsed time:2h32m52s

 Locks:1

Bridges:2 
Average speed:2.37 mph (2.37 lock/mph)