Last two days at this end of tne canal

One way of taking the dogs for a walk!

Our last two days in this peaceful spot at the Sharpness end of the canal, somewhat marred for me by somehow picking up a tummy bug.   Cannot have been anything I ate as Geoff is perfectly fit. However I am back to eating small amounts of bland food tonight.

Feeding time for the swans this evening just in front of Petroc
The nights are drawing in

Back to Saul tomorrow to position ourselves for the arrival of Emma and Dave for the night.

We plan to set off early before it gets too hot.  However we have the promise of thunderstorms tonight and maybe in the morning so we shall see.

Still lingering on the G&S

Moored adjacent to Splatt bridge.  River Severn in the distance.

Another week gone by on this wonderful canal.  There are so many lovely places to moor, enough boats about but we are not inundated with them.

It has also been a week of visitors off and on.  

We eventually left the far end at Sharpness on Wednesday and found a congenial mooring near Splatt bridge.  

Thursday was shopping day so we did the run up to Sainsburys at Gloucester.  We were lucky as the two shoppers moorings were free.  We had originally intended to stay down this end until Friday but the forecast was for wind and rain so we decided to hightail it back to Splatt bridge.

En route I did my usual trick of squeezing a quart into a pint pot as far as the fridge is concerned!

The trouble is that once I have removed all the extraneous packing from the food I have filled the rubbish bin up again.....such a lot of wastage, with packaging far larger than the contents they contain.

We found a good spot near Splatt bridge again and settled in for the next 5 days.  It is about a mile to walk to the community shop in Frampton on Severn so quite handy.  Tony & Di came for lunch on Saturday (after a visit to the Three Horseshoes.....)  Weather was as forecast, wet and windy.

Geoff and I had tested the food at the pub there to see if it was suitable for our weekend guests.  We had to sample their much advertised '3SHU PIE'.   This is a pie with 3 horizontal layers, creamy cauliflower cheese, mash & veg and then finally the meat of your choice.  The choice is large, I went for the minted lamb and Geoff the steak and kidney.  The whole is topped of with home made puff pastry and was quite delicious.

Sunday saw the arrival of Anne & Graham and another visit to the Three Horseshoes.  I had the same pie but this time Geoff tried the Liver & Onion.  As good as the previous time.   The only problem was they had one of my favourite puddings on the menu but I couldn't manage it.  (Steamed syrup sponge!!)  They stayed overnight in the Bell in at the other end of Frampton and we lunched aboard Petroc again.  Sadly, although the weather had improved somewhat, it was not sitting out weather.

Today we have moved back down to Sharpness to have our final couple of days here for this year.
I did the walk to the shop this morning which was considerably lengthened as I discovered when I was almost back at Petroc that I had left my hiking stick in the shop......so about turn and go all the way back.  It was beginning to heat up by then and even Barnaby was not sure he wanted to turn round!  So instead of a 2+ mile walk I had a 3.5+ walk...much too far for me especially when it is hot.

He was forced to pause at one of the several ponds on the village green
If he was a typical Labrador he would have gone in for a swim,
 but he wont ever go out of his depth

Now moored at the end again and sheltering in the shade below until it cools off later.  

Still in Sharpness

We have been blessed with delightful weather for this sojourn at the end of the canal

For some boats it is not the end of course.......for the bigger sea going boats you can go out of the lock and down the Bristol Channel into Bristol....you can even do it by narrowboat if you have a pilot......but that is not for me....I am content to linger in the peacefulness of the moorings here at the end.   There are not may facilities but there is water just before Sharpness marina which is just around the corner.   We had stocked the fridge well before coming down this end and there is a small shop in the docks about a mile away which has a very limited range but we have been content.

Sue came down again on Monday and we had another good natter...Geoff is at a loss to know what we find to talk about!!!   Since we spent out time sitting on the towpath he was not privy to our conversation!

From the end of the marina you can look down the Bristol Channel

and in the other direction up towards Gloucester.

This wide expanse was once crossed by a railway bridge as you can see in these pictures

Just down from our mooring stand the remains of this side of the bridge

and a plaque telling the history (click on photo to read)
or click this link

It has been quite delightful down this end but we must move back a bit tomorrow....the fridge is beginning to look a little bare........

To the end of the canal in slow time

After a pleasant meal in the Ship at Framilode on Wednesday Anne & Keith departed Thursday morning having dropped me on the road into Gloucester to catch the faithful No 12 bus which runs every 10 minutes.  I was able to meet up with two more friends Gill & Ronnie.  We had a good catch up but a rather indifferent lunch in the Cathedral café.  Paninis with a very sparse filling and staff that needed a shake up!   Such a shame in a beautiful cathedral.  Ronnie then drove me back to Petroc and stayed for supper.


Friday was domestic and relaxing day........filled up with water and fuel.......emptied rubbish and loo!!!   Luckily the manoeuvring required to accomplish all those tasks were accomplished in the morning which was a bit blowy....but by the afternoon, despite the sunshine it was blowing a hooley.


On Saturday morning it was still blowing quite strongly and if we had not arranged to meet Sue Fletcher at the far end of the canal we would have stayed put.  She is staying with her sister who lives not too far from Sharpness and we had arranged a meet up. 


It was well worth the effort as despite the wind it was a very pleasant temperature and Sue & I were able to sit out on the bank and have a good catch up.  The wind did eventually die down to a more gentle breeze.  We talked our way through coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, pimms at 6, all followed by supper of home made pizzas which Sue had brought and semi home made crumble!   The crumble was blackberries picked by Geoff, Ronnie & myself and apples from Gill & Geoff when they visited last Sunday.  The topping was provided courtesy of Tescos!!!!!  What a cheat.....


When Sue departed Barney and I walked part way with her and enjoyed the beautiful evening.

A solitary wind thing at the end of the canal

The sun setting over the Severn.

 Sat trip
 Total distance:5.99 miles
 Elapsed time:1h46m31s
 Locks:0
 Bridges:6  (A slight hold up at the two Purton bridges.  They are manned by a single bridgeman and he had to wait for a farmer to take a flock of sheep over....or it may have been a herd of cows....can't remember what he said when he apologised for the delay!)      
Average speed:3.37 mph



Still Pottering on the Gloucester & Sharpness

Moored just beyond Saul Junction

We eventually wandered back through Saul and partook of another cooked breakfast in the Stables cafe.   Then I am sad to say we had a thoroughly idle day!!!!  I read a whole book.......good going.

Sunday we went to church in the Big Top.  We had been told about this the previous week when we went to Fretherne Church and it sounded different.  

It was a lovely service performed by the local Open the Book team and the story of Joseph was interspersed with lovely hymns.  Since I am involved with our local Open the Book when I am at home in the winter it was very interesting to see.

Later Geoff & Gill Smith call to visit and we all went out to lunch in the Ship Inn at Framilode.

A fantastic display by these young lads

The circus that was in town was Giffords Circus.   I had no intention of going to the actual circus show as it is not the sort of thing that appeals, however after several local people told us what a magnificent show it was and not full of animals as I remembered circuses, we decided to buy tickets for the last performance on Monday.   Wow...what a show, it was fantastic and we would definitely go again.

Tuesday saw the arrival of Anne & Keith Hall who are staying nearby for a couple of nights.
A very enjoyable catch up and supper on board Petroc.

Wednesday we took a short trip (all of 3.4 miles each way) as far as Slimbridge.   Keith and Geoff walked both ways as Keith does not travel well on the water but Anne & I took a more sedate trip on the boat.   There are a few boats around but it is not really very busy.   On our return we found the space we had vacated earlier in the day.   A leisurely afternoon with what was left of it followed and the plan is to take ourselves down to the Ship for supper.......

Towards Gloucester.

Sainsbury's 2 hr shopping mooring

Looking towards Gloucester

We did move on Wednesday as the wind had slackened and the weather overall showed some improvement.   We cruised back to Rhea bridge, surprised to find the moorings almost empty.   It is a convenient place to catch the bus into Gloucester.  In fact I needed to get to Maplins which is a two bus ride but it was relatively painless, especially with a bus pass!!!
Returning into Gloucester I stopped off and had a browse in the Outlet centre of Gloucester Quays.

Thursday was Geoff's turn to have a wander into Gloucester.   He was gone several hours but only purchased one item of interest.  We needed to replace the small rucksack we take with the necessities for clearing up after Barnaby.  He found what he though was a suitably small rucksack failing to notice that it was in fact a child's bag and the straps, even at their longest, were nowhere near long enough for him to get it on his back......

This morning we departed early to shop at Sainsburys and were lucky enough to find space on the moorings right in front.   I departed to do the shopping and was doing my normal putting away act, ie getting a quart into a pint pot, when we had a surprise visitor.  Angela, otherwise known as the Reverend Angela from our Benefice, was passing by and had spied Petroc.  So a pause in the shopping capers for a welcome coffee break.  It turns out that she had a parish near here at Hemstead for 6 years and she was back visiting friends.

Geoff made a second visit to Sainsburys for the booze....we are expecting several visitors in the next 10 days!!

A couple of hours gentle cruise brought us back to a good open mooring about a mile short of Saul. (Surrounded by fishermen)
The plan is to move further up tomorrow.......my Saturday cooked breakfast at the Stables cafe beckons......

Total distance:9.12 miles 
Elapsed time:4h1m1s (includes shopping and coffee!)
Locks:0
Bridges:10 
Average speed:1.70 mph (1.70 lock/mph) 

Still in the same place

well we had planned to move on Monday but it rained.......so we planned to move on Tuesday but it rained..........so we plan to move tomorrow...........we'll see!!!!!
Two very quiet relaxing days, a spot of work(accounts) for me, a spot of walking to please Barnaby.......and I continue to play Scrabble online quite time consuming but it keeps my brain active!!

Gentle weekend around Saul

Saturday

As requested I was ready to depart from our very pleasant mooring at 8am!!

Despite the look of the sky it was in fact a lovely morning....no one on the move except for us and the two fishermen on the far bank

The goal was the Stables Cafe in Saul for our Saturday cooked breakfast.   We were lucky enough to find a suitable space to moor within sight of the cafe.

En route we passed NB Waterways Route obviously updating
some pictures for his guides.   I hope he has a good balance

After satisfying the inner man we moved through the next bridge and found a quieter spot for the rest of the weekend.   

Sunday

We had looked up the local churches (there are 5 within a very small area) and discovered that Frampton had a Pet Service at 11 so we took Barney along.  It was about a mile away so within my walking capabilities....There were a couple more dogs, two hedgehogs and a hampster.......not a big congregation but everyone was very welcoming and Barney behaved himself impeccably as usual!!

A visit to the Bell Inn in Frampton was necessary after the walk back, just for a pre lunch drink!!

Sunday lunch on board today.....presently cooking in the oven.

Saturday

Total distance:3.19 miles 

Elapsed time:1h39m36s (Not including breakfast pause!)

Locks:0

Bridges:2 
Average speed:1.15 mph (1.15 lock/mph) 

Back aboard

Boe took this today at Camden Lock
which looks a lot busier than where we are at the moment

Note the algae in the picture...this is what fooled Barnaby when we were on the Chesterfield Canal....he thought it was grass so had one of only two dunkings in the canal.

Back on board Petroc after a busy couple of weeks spring cleaning the house ready for the first holidaymakers.   They arrived last Saturday and are now firmly settled in our house.   I was lucky enough to have Boe with me for the week as I don't think I would have managed on my own.  Meanwhile the building of our Granny Annexe continues well and I was able to move some of our possession across instead of packing them all away as normal.

Geoff has managed perfectly well without me and has moved a couple of times for a change of scene, albeit not very far.......finally ending up on the moorings at Rea Swing bridge which is only a 10 minute walk from the bus.

We had a gentle little cruise today whilst the washing machine was busy......Geoff was not brave enough to tackle the washing on Petroc!!   We paused at coffee time at a convenient water point.

We were aiming for Saul but spied a peaceful spot somewhat short of there and decided it would do for the day..  However since we want to visit the cafe at Saul for our Saturday cooked breakfast, I have been advised that departure time is 8am!!!



Total distance:2.27 miles Elapsed time:1h46m12s Locks:0Bridges:0 
Average speed:1.28 mph (1.28 lock/mph)

Stocking up at Sainsburys.

Trip boat with a party of very enthusiastic schoolchildren

A domestic day today as I prepare to leave Geoffrey for about 10 days.   We awoke to blue skies and no wind, how delightful.  Chugged back up to Sainsburys to do a big shop for him, however a few stops en route.   Watered and disposed of rubbish and emptied loo and far more significantly had a huge late breakfast in the Stables cafe in Saul.  We chose the mega size and and I was defeated.........

After shopping we went back to find a mooring close to where I could catch a bus into the station tomorrow.

Total distance:10.67 miles Elapsed time:4h12m54s Locks:0Bridges:11 
Average speed:3.12 mph (3.12 lock/mph) 

Another gentle day

Frampton-upon Severn church

We carried on through Saul today and found one of our open spots from last year between Splatt Bridge and Frethern Bridge.  Geoff walked with Barney and got well ahead of us as I had to wait for the bridge keeper at Sandfield Bridge as he had nipped off to the loo.......he was so long I thought he had flushed himself away!

Mainly a dry day with just one sharp shower soon after we had moored and opened everything up and had not put up the pram hood at the back.....

We are overlooking the Severn just a field a way again and a beautiful sunny evening as I took these picture from our mooring.

Total distance:1.95 miles 
Elapsed time:1h1m37s 
Locks:0
Bridges:3 
Average speed:1.90 mph (1.90 lock/mph) 

A gentle saunter towards Saul

They may look beautiful.....

....but not when hissing and pecking at the window whilst I am cooking supper!!

A short trip towards Saul today.  The first two bridges are high enough for us to pass under but from now on it is all opening bridges.  We found a good spot short of the moorings at Saul that was nicely open.   A bit grassy on the bank but nothing we couldn't cope with.

We had decided to go for an early evening stroll to the pub in Frampton upon Severn.   We set out in the dry but had to take shelter under the trees half way there as there was an almighty downpour.   Arriving at the Bell pub we discovered it was not a dog friendly pub.   Plenty of seating outside but all seats soaking wet and the threat of more rain.  I did venture inside to ask if there was a quiet corner we could secrete ourselves with Barney but got a firm refusal.  However I was told there was an outside covered area and the barman kindly directed me to it.........it proved to be where bikes were stored and no sign of any tables!!!
So it was back to the boat disappointed.........over 3 miles walked in vain!!!!

Total distance:5.93 miles 
Elapsed time:2h1m56s 
Locks:0
Bridges:5 
Average speed:2.92 mph (2.92 lock/mph) 

Onward to Gloucester

Upper Lode Lock, descending towards Gloucester

It took us some time to actually get on our way.  We decided to go upstream on the Avon to Tewkesbury Marina to fill up with Diesel, etc........this time we did not have to pay £5 for emptying the loo cassette as we were buying fuel!!!!

It was one of those windy, cloudy days as you can see in the picture.  By the time we were back at Avon lock ready to head down and towards Gloucester it was like Piccadilly Circus...boats going all ways and we had to wait ages for our turn in the lock.  Nowhere suitable to moor and interesting to hold position in the wind.  Eventually it was our turn and we went down accompanied by NB Quackers who were also heading for Gloucester.  It was quite nice to have company down the river as apart from them we only saw one other boat coming the other way and it is not the most interesting stretch of water.

The black clouds loomed over us most of the way but luckily only produced the occasional bit of rain.  We had phoned ahead to Gloucester Lock when we reached Upper Parting so had only minimal time to hover outside the lock before we could enter.   It is not the best place to tie up as it is chains on a high wall and we are still very conscious of our new paintwork!!!  

We carried on past the big Sainsburys where the shopping moorings were completely free, often they are full.   We didn't need shopping yet so carried on through Hempsted bridge and managed a nice enough mooring just beyond.....enough travelling for the day.   

Total distance:15.50 miles 
Elapsed time:5h10m27s 
Locks:3
Bridges:11 
Average speed:3.65 mph (4.39 lock/mph)....shows how fast we were going down the river!!!

Sojourn in Tewkesbury

Such a delightful weekend....well prolonged weekend really........

Excellent mooring spot, delightful town, plenty of good places to walk Barney and reasonable weather........what more could one want.

On Friday we had a family wander and introduced Boe to the delights of the Abbey.  Part of the afternoon had to be given up to Wimbledon as it was mens' semi-finals day...or should I say gentlemens' semi-finals as they now seem to call it!!

Boe in the Abbey

The Abbey is beautifully kept but I was amazed at the heating system.  There are two giant Victorian looking boilers.  One of the guide ladies confirmed that this was their sole heating which ran on oil and that they all brought blankets to the services in the winter as it was so cold!!

As well as the normal delights of the town, this weekend we had the Medieval Festival
when they re-enact the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury the last battle in the Wars of the Roses.

Gill Smith, Ronnie Dunn and I spent Saturday afternoon wandering around the large variety of stalls which were either depicting life at that time or selling articles related to that era.   It was a vast area and extremely interesting......and quite hard on the back and feet!!

Later we made our way to 'Bloody Meadow' which is where the enactment of the battle takes place.  It was extremely crowded but we managed to get a spot near the front alongside where all the soldiers marched onto the field

Geoff & I went to the Abbey Sunday Communion which was held in the battle encampment.
The service was followed by coffee & homemade cheese and bacon scones......very welcome

Later in the morning there was a parade through the town

After all that activity Sunday afternoon was another day of tennis......much to Geoff's disgust.....

It is the only sport I really care for on the TV so compared to the amount of football & rugby he watches!!!!   Anyway it is all over now for another year.

Onward tomorrow.......heading for Gloucester.

Tewkesbury

Wednesday was a beautiful day and we could take advantage of the grassy area alongside Petroc.  Gill & Geoff Smith came for morning coffee and we had a good catch up.

Tewkesbury's buildings are a mixture of the very old.......

.....and the very modern

The Abbey in the distance as Boe, Barney & I walked on the Ham

The original intention was to stay a couple of nights and move off today, but we are not in a rush so with the lock keepers OK we have paid for 4 more nights and now plan to depart on Monday.  This weekend is the Tewkesbury Medieval festival when they re-enact the Battle of Tewkesbury which should provide some entertainment.   

Staying longer meant Geoff had to walk one of our loo cassettes up to the marina where he was very dischuffed to be charged £5 to empty it!!!!!

2 days to Tewkesbury

We set off for Tewkesbury on Monday in beautiful sunshine and thought how lucky we were.  However as we progressed down the Severn the clouds built up and so did the wind, but fortunately no rain.   The intention had been to reach Tewkesbury but when we reached Upton upon Severn there was plenty of mooring space (unusually) so we decided to call it a day.  An interesting turn across the flow of the river as the river was running quite well!!
A phone call to Fran and Keith who were planning to meet us in Tewkesbury to advise of a change of plan.  This was not difficult for them as the distance between the two by road is not great.
They arrived later together with son Adrian and grandson Alex, neither of whom we had seen for several years, and we had a good time at supper in the Swan Hotel although the food was only moderate......luckily the company was much better.
For such a small place Upton has a large number of pubs.....there are 6 within 5 mins walk from the moorings........all on top of one another.

Tuesday morning dawned grey, windy and chill.......especially at 6 am when Barney decided he needed to go out.  However we had not planned an early start and by the time we left about 10.30 things were looking a bit better.   So we had a good run down to Tewkesbury which was surprisingly quiet and we have a great mooring spot just to the right of the lock.

Boe arrived mid afternoon by train.....no station at Tewkesbury but Ashchurch is the station and is a 20 min bus ride away.   I met her at the bus stop and we whiled away some time in a delightful coffee shop as Geoffrey was still siestering and we didn't want to wake him!!!!!!!

Must do better with pictures........have become lazy as we are travelling over familiar ground!!!!

Return to a spanking new looking Petroc

Such a smart boat

We are absolutely delighted with Petrocs new Look.  Tony at Grist Mill Boatyard has done a fantastic job on her.   Not only all the topsides painted but all the wood around the windows has been replaced.

A very necessary job as it was somewhat rotten.

We delayed a day in Cornwall as the forecast was dire and it has worked out well.   WE have been able to load up Petroc with all our belongings and a big shop all in the dry.

We are moored in the marina here in Worcester which is very pleasant although not sure Barney agrees.   He does not like stepping on and off the boat onto a pontoon.    However there are lots of nice walks close by so he shouldn't complain too much.

Looking towards the canal from the basin

The lower Diglis Canal lock which we hope to go down tomorrow onto the river.

Lots of wild flowers in the surrounding fields, I am not sure what these are.

Left to Tewksbury for us