31 August - 9 September: River Severn and the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal (not all pictures yet)

Friday August 31: River Severn passage from Tewkesbury to Gloucester (13 miles, 3 locks)

John spotted the rubbish skip as we were preparing to leave, but there is no |Elsan point at Tewkesbury Lock, oddly. Alison saw a Kingfisher as we went on the river.

Annie about to enter Tewkesbury Lock

Tewkesbury Lock, fore and aft ropes needed

the mills, Tewkesbury

entering the main River Severn, avoiding the tongue of sand on the right

approaching Upper Lode Lock

we waited for boats to leave the lock

Upper Lode Lock dwarfs Annie

The cheerful lock keeper said he would sometimes let Upper Lode Lock know boats were coming, but John called them up on VHF channel 74. He was told to take his time over the ¾ mile, as a boat was locking up. The friendly lady lock keeper advised John about both large trees floating about today and spring tides causing tidal surges above Gloucester weir next week, due to spring tides.

We had a beautiful, idyllic and sunny morning to ourselves, apart from several boats coming upriver and one cruiser overtaking us.

Approaching Gloucester Lock, John heard on VHF that the cruiser was waiting “on the chains” (moored to wall chains 100 yards above the lock) while waiting for boats to lock down onto the river. John slowed right down and arrived just as they came out. There is normally a nasty cross current from left to right just as you enter the lock, so he came in the last part quite fast, aiming left of centre, slowing down once out of the current in the lock. It went fine, the easiest ever, probably because, with little rain, the cross current wasn't too bad. Once in the lock, we secured ropes fore and aft to the vertical cables on the lock wall, although Liana got her's twisted, so had to hoik it up as the water rose. We managed, and moored on the pontoons round the corner in the basin, by the pub and Greek restaurant, stern to.

In Gloucester Quays, we found So Pie, and we had their tasty pie (plus lemon meringue dessert) for lunch at only £9.95, while Ali had Bruschetta and salmon.

We stayed here the night – maybe a mistake, as the loud “music” finished at midnight. John fell asleep (naval training?) while Liana did puzzles!

Saturday September 1: Gloucester Docks to Saul Junction along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal (8 miles, 0 locks)

John called up Llanthony Bridge and they opened up for us to leave Gloucester Dock basin. Once through, we moored on the right to use the services: 5 ½ loo holding tanks to empty, water to fill up with, rubbish to remove. We had a lovely gentle trip to Saul, through a variety of bridges, some swung, some being raised for us, others high enough to motor underneath.

We met our nephew Scott at Saul, and he took us all the short distance to The Three Horseshoes at Frampton-on-Severn, where three of us samples their trademark three-in-one pies (filling, mash potato and broccoli/cauli/peas/sweetcorn, all under one puff pastry crust). Yum! Alison had a huge thick slab of ham, plus eggs and chips. She needed a doggy bag for the ham. Ali drove them both home, while we had a walk around the area, followed by coffee in the cafe. We spotted a large rat, not surprising when waterside.

We watched Formula 1 qualifying ( Ferraris front row, Lewis Hamilton 3^rd), then Guy Martin and Jensen Button in a F1 challenge race. John enjoyed Match of the Day (Liverpool won).

Sunday September 2: Saul Junction to Sharpness (8 miles, 0 locks)

The scene at Saul is interesting: Opposite our mooring, just after the Junction Swing Bridge, is R.L.Davis's boatyard, with its huge crane overlooking narrowboats and small ships under construction. The marina lies just behind, with its entry off the stub of the Stroudwater Canal, by the swing bridge. The junction is so sharp that boats entering from Gloucester have to wind opposite Davis's yard first and turn right into the Stroudwater Canal, while boats leaving the marina have to turn left and wind in the same place before passing through the swing bridge narrows. All while narrowboats and cruisers pass to and fro, trip boats scurry about, the bridge beeping, opening and closing continually. With decent cafe, car park and local walks, plus boaters' water point and Cotswold Canal Trust shop, loos, laundry and Elsan points available, too, it is a busy place. We walked down the rather overgrown derelict section of the Stroudwater Canal, beside the River Frome, past the Ship Inn at Framilode and on to views of the Severn Estuary. We returned along the byroad to Sandfield Bridge and had a cappucino in the cafe, before setting off for the eight miles to Sharpness. There were lots of boats around, enjoying the sunny weekend.

Sandfield Swing Bridge opens automatically on detecting boats, as an experiment. The next, Fretherne, has an operator. The huge A38 swing bridge and bridges 19-17 are all high enough for narrowboats to pass under. Half way, through Splatt, Cambridge Arms and Patch Bridges, we passed Slimbridge nature reserve, founded by Peter Scott. We saw plenty of canoes around Purton, where the two nearby bridges seem to be worked as one, using cameras. The circular stone plinth, which used to support the steel railway swing bridge over the canal, at the start of the long gone Severn Railway Bridge. As it was low tide, we could see the remains of the buttresses at regular intervals across the river, and the remains of the two barges that collided with it, sinking and demolishing part of it, never to be repaired.

After winding and mooring, we chilled and chatted to passers by. After chicken and red wine, John soon nodded off!

Monday September 3: Sharpness and back to Saul (8 miles, 0 locks)

After breakfast, we had a long walk past the marina, with its new small chandlery, around to the Lifeboat Station, then past the Dockers Club to the docks and coastguard station close by the dock tidal lock gates. You get a fine view down the Severn estuary, with the road bridges in the distance towards the West. After lunch, we set off under overcast skies, high humidity and very fine drizzle. Liana steered for a while as the sun decided to shine. John had to put on his wet weather gear when we had one or two torrential rain showers. Few boats were moving. At Saul, we moored near Cotswold Canal Trust shop and water point and watched the boats and folk passing.

While Liana chilled, watching tv and doing quizzes, John walked a mile or so up the Stroudwater Canal, past the large marina and the lowered Walk Bridge, across a field and through a wood, where the canal had been infilled up to the A38.

Tuesday September 4: Saul to Gloucester (8 miles, 0 locks)

John's sister Dianne's and friend Andrew's Birthdays :) We had planned to travel by bus at 0945 from the bus stop round the corner from the marina, only to find it only came on a Friday! Plan B was to travel to Gloucester and take the bus from there to Stroud tomorrow. We had a quiet journey back, moored outside Sainsbury's, had lunch and then shopped. Passing under High Orchard Bridge, we found a mooring on the 48 hours visitors pontoon outside the Brewhouse & Kitchen at Gloucester Quays, just before Llanthony Bridge. This was much quieter than the noisy pontoons in corner of the dock basin, which had “music” blaring away until midnight.

Wednesday September 5: Stroud and the Stroudwater Canal visit

We walked half a mile to the bus station and caught the hourly 66 bus to Stroud, through Ebley. On the top deck, the bumps as the bus passed over road humps were bad.

Stroud is hilly. We had coffee at the Cotswold Canal Trust (CCT) Cafe. We are members of CCT, and get their interesting magazine through the post. John was looking forward to seeing all the progress for himself. We walked up the canal past Bowbridge, Griffins Mill and Ham Mill Locks, all now fully restored, and marvelled at the canal now wide and in water. Well done, the CCT!!! We returned to the CCT cafe for a light lunch. Don't miss the CCT shop next to the cafe, like we did! It is open from 10am-1pm.

Liana at Wallbridge Upper Lock, Stroud, with CCT café and shop behind

Liana at Capel Mill Viaduct

folk on the water at Capel Mill

Bowbridge Lock

looking for fish

Griffin's Mill Lock

Liana approaching Ham Mill Lock by canal still to be dredged

Andean wildlife

impressive bywash grill at Bowbridge Lock

Liana looking down at Capel Mill

After lunch, we walked a mile or so past the wonderfully restored Wallbridge Lower Lock, plus the two restored Dudbridge Locks to Ebley Mill. Here, we missed the bus by a minute, so had an hour at the nearby Kitsch coffee shop (John had lager).

this was once muddy rough path beside weeded up canal!

amazing job digging out the cliff beside Wallbridge Lower Lock!

novel single cantilever bridge at Ebley

John saw a tug coming through the flood gate, so dashed out to get a photo and chat to the volunteers.

On the way back from Ebley, we sat on seats in the middle of the bottom deck, which was much less bumpy. Getting off at Gloucester Quays, we were soon home and eating chicken kiev on Annie.

Thursday 6 September: A short trip and pies with Bryn and Julie Shackleton

Before we leave Gloucester, we took our chance to see daughter Joanna's beau Mark's parents, Julie and Bryn Shackleton, who live not too far away, near Yate. We had a pleasant trip four miles up to Quedgeley and back. It was good to share a bit of time with them, and we popped into "So Pie" at Gloucester Quays for another of their excellent pies. This time we had a "two for £20" meal deal, trying game, curry, pork & apple plus chicken & asparagus pies, respectively, with choices of potatoes, vegetables. The cheesy potato mash and mixed veg were very tasty, with a jug of gravy, too. As the weather worsened, we decided to wait until tomorrow to travel.

John & Liana, with Bryn and Julie Shackleton at So Pie, Gloucester

23-30 August: Avon Adventure (no pictures yet)

Thursday 23 August: Stratford upriver to the Old Bathing Place and then downriver to Luddington (4 ½ miles, 3 locks)

We had a pleasant morning in town. John caught up with our blog in Costa, then bought a week's Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) license for £50 from the ANT boat in Bancroft Basin. A leaflet gave charges and list of mooring places. ANT now charge for mooring at places like Stratford riverside and Evesham Lock moorings, which we think is a bit rich, having just paid for a license.

The trip boat man kindly helped Liana at the river lock, letting her get on Annie in the lock. :)

Annie in Bancroft Basin, Stratford

locking down onto the river

looking upriver at the Tramway Bridge

choose the right arch!

notice at Bathing Place services

other notices at Bathing Place services

the mooring for services is basic and they are set back from the waterside

the services

We travelled ¾ mile upriver to the services at the limit of navigation for narrowboats, the Old Bathing Place. We emptied loo holding tanks and got rid of rubbish there. The water point is not too close to the water, but a hose should reach. On this sunny day, loads of dinghies, motor boats, canoes and nippy trip boats were around, so John had fun avoiding things, including colliding rowing boats and motorboats on the S bends!

Reaching the tramway bridge, we found a narrowboat across the river wanting to enter Bancroft Basin, a trip boat trying to pass it, plus the big trip boat trying to leave the river lock! John managed to thread his way past, avoid loads of little boats and the little chain ferry which operates most days, crossing the river for 50p by Trinity Church. John let Liana and Ali off before Trinity Lock (the ugly metal C.P. Ritter Lock – they often have memorial names of patrons, too).

setting up the 3d effect using masking tape yesterday

chaos on the river

the hand powered chain ferry by Shakespeare's church

3d effect completed

Lyrebird and Annie in Colin P Witter lock

We shared the lock with young actors from the Attic(?) fringe Theatre on NB Lyrebird, admiring the new 3D lettering completed after we watched the masking tape going on the other day. They stopped at Weir Brake Lock (anonymous/Gordon Gray lock) to return to act later, but we had others to help. The two miles to moorings above Luddington (Stan Clover) Lock is pretty: We didn't hurry. We squeezed in between two narrowboats at the moorings, with fenders overlapping, thanks to one of the boaters, who moved as much as he could. The other boaters on NB Latis couldn't move, as they said the owner of the boathouse at the end of the moorings had told them not to overlap his land. Liana watched tv while John had a short circular walk around this small but quite scenic village. There were anumber of thatched cottages and expensive houses: Clearly, not a place we could afford to live in!

Luddington village

Luddington a short walk from the lock

ANT information board near the church

pretty mooring above Luddington Lock, overlooking the weir

Friday 24 August: Luddington to The Four Alls at Welford-on-Avon (2 miles, 1 lock)

We got up early and repeated the walk John had done yesterday. The church was closed, sadly. We decided to head for Welford-on-Avon while it was sunny. Stan Clover Lock was THE lock of the day, but a kind ANT Volunteer, who John had been chatting to, helped us through, as the grass had not grown enough for him to cut. We reached Welford quite soon, and the newish concrete mooring was empty, although it was only about twenty feet long, and only twenty yards from the stone bridge. John came alongside very carefully and used stern and both centre ropes plus the fat fenders to moor the back half of the boat, with the bow sticking out downstream.

riverside mansions

approaching Welford-on-Avon: Bear left and stop before the bridge to moor

the solid but short mooring close above the bridge

I used fat fenders in the right places to protect Annie

mooring was secure, not ideal, but the pub and village were worth it

the view from the Four Alls pub

Once he was happy Annie was secure, we found the pub had a wood fired pizza oven: The pizzas were brilliant! The beer was, too. We had a long walk around the very affluent village, with lots of personalised number plates and Porsches. We decided to walk back using a riverside walk, but had to find the path by walking UP a hill! It was bosky but pleasant, and we had to shelter from a shower. Eventually we found ourselves in a field near the sports ground, climbed a fence and found our way back. After toast, we watched tv.

Welford has some fancy houses

Saturday 25 August: Welford to Bidford-on-Avon (4 miles, 3 locks)

Cool but sunny, we set off early to take advantage of the good weather.

you can see the Four Alls jetty here

you don't see this until you are close to the bridge, because of a bend

Annie going through the correct arch. The ducks are standing up under the other one!!

We soon arrived at Welford-on-Avon Lock, helped by a friendly boater. Although the lock island is very close to the village centre, there is no bridge to provide acces to the village, sadly. ANT, Welford-on-Avon residents, here is an opportunity to work together?

At Pilgrim Lock a cruiser was exitting ahead of us, and a narrowboat came upstream and up the lock, helped by Liana and caravanners, who chatted to Liana while Annie went through the lock.

We cruised on to E&H Bullington Lock. As we descended, a trip boat arrived wanting to ascend. The man came with no windlass and no clue, Liana said! Liana and boaters who arrived behind us helped them through. We had a lovely time chatting to every one. Reaching Bidford-on-Avon, John turned and squeezed Annie between two GRP Cruisers, leaving the bow sticking out, until they departed a short time later. Then we moored properly, chatted with a large family having a BBQ next to us, then walked across the old stone bridge into town. John enjoyed watching football at the pub by the church, which has Sky and BT satellite channels.

Ali and Scott arrived, we ate at the pub and shopped at Budgens, using the car. After Scott left, John watched Liverpool FC beat Brighton 1-0 in a hard match at the pub (ok, ok, yes, he admits it, he had a total of five pints!!). We played Settlers of Catan twice.

Sunday 26 August: Sheltering from the rain at Bidford-on-Avon

What a horrid, wet, windy day! John tried the keep fit apparatus close by, but had to dash back/ hobble quickly as more rain arrived. Bidford has plenty of pubs and eating places, plus a decent Budgens foodstore. The Recreation Ground is a good place to moor, with plenty of play equipment for adults as well as for children!We read, watched tv, chatted with passing folk and played Settlers of Catan: Ali points out that she has STILL not won!

A Valley Cruises (“Excellence Afloat”) hireboat arrived at noon, trying to moor going downriver, hitting our bow, making us jump. We helped them moor. Two similar boats arrived and they breasted up together, as they were all friends. We had several pleasant chats with these friendly Geordies, some of whom had boated before.

Ali lost again :( …... but enjoyed her white wine :)

Monday 27 August: Bidford to below Workman Bridge, Evesham (7 miles, 4 locks)

Apart from the odd short wet squall, the morning was cool, windy but mainly dry, so we set off, letting the current turn us as John held the stern rope. Our boat bumping friends followed us and shared all four locks, making life easier and more fun :)

We weren't rushing, enjoying the countryside and riverside scene as we passed through Maricliff (IWA) Lock, Harvington (Robert Aickman) Lock and Offenham (George Billington) Lock. We used the open air Elsan point here to empty four loo holding tanks so quickly that we had finished as our companions arrived! John saw no floating fenders to salvage, and no Kingfishers, though. The moorings above Evesham lock, opposite the weir, looked a biut uncared for, As the ANT pamphlet stated they charge here, we descended the lock, with its attractive lock keeper's house, and moored below the town bridge.

Evesham has loads of shops, plenty of history and things to look at: The riverside, parks, Abbey remains are nice. The Almonry museum is quite small, but excellent (£5 adults, £2 concessions), with lots of interesting stuff to enjoy in this ancient Abbey pilgrims' guest house.

Tuesday 28 August: Evesham to Pershore (11 miles, 3 locks)

We slept in, popped a few hundred yards to LIDL for supplies, passing lots of eastern european grocery shops on the way. We set off after 1100. John held the stern rope while Liana pushed the bow out and let the current do the work turning us. Evesham is quite a pretty town, with plenty of flowers evident. We passed Abbey Park, and complimented an ANT Volunteer cutting back weeds on the ANT mooring near Abbey Bridge, which Pearson's Guide states has water and rubbish bins. Hampton's chain Ferry, a small affair, was moored but not working. Sankey Marine seemed busy, with diesel and boats for sale.

The river through Chadbury Lock to Fladbury is very pretty, with reeds. Lilies, Oaks and overhanging willows. Sadly, there is no bridge connecting Fladbury Lock Island to the village, just a small wire foot ferry, which looked like it is operated from the shore. As there didn't seem to be a village mooring, despite Pearson's Guide 2011 stating ANT were trying to sort one, we had to carry on: A shame, as the village and butcher's sound enticing :(

Two boats emerged as we reached Fladbury Lock, which was helpful. These locks, with their weirs, are lovely to see. Passing Cropthorne, the millionaire's mansions on the left had huge gardens, parks, really! Again, the river is very scenic, and we took our time. John finally saw a Kingfisher.

We moored at the Anchor Inn (48 hr moorings for patrons), Wyre Piddle, after passing Smith's Island and Tiddle Widdle Island! John HAD to have a pint of 'Piddle! He did return it before leaving :P The food seemed expensive to we midlanders.

Wyre Piddle has a nice little church, St Anne's, which was open, plus several pretty thatched and timber frame houses. Piesse of Piddle is a newish wine bar with a good concrete mooring near the Anchor. It helps to have a lavatory sense of humour here!!

We decided to carry on the short distance to the good Pershore Recreation Ground moorings. Wyre Boatyard has pretty much taken over the shore and weir stream above Wyre Lock. Below the diamond shaped lock, is the large mill building, Wyre Mill Boat Club moorings and the ANT offices.

Once moored near ASDA at Pershore, John used more classic wood oil on the wood/resin surfaces in the semi-trad rear. This seems to go on like varnish, which John didn't expect, and improves the tired-looking surfaces. Ali cooked mince & tatties, while Liana watched Tipping Point.

Wednesday 29 August: Pershore to Tewkesbury (12 miles, 3 locks)

Pershore presents quite a pretty face to the world: Hanging baskets of flowers prevail in the streets, where there are plenty of decent shops, including an indoor market next to the ASDA store close by the moorings. We visited the abbey church remains, now the parish church, with magnificent quire as its nave, and a scary ringers floor supported by four wooden beams, a hundred feet above the ground.