Well the canal!
Tuesday 27th June 2017
Gloucester
to Saul Junction
8 miles, 5
swing/lift bridges
My start to
the day was a walk round Alney Island Nature Reserve with Monty, then we bade farewell to Marilyn and David on Waku Huai - David was hiding somewhere!
Whilst the rain had not arrived yet it was not warm enough for a swim! They are heading back to Worcester, but will be there for a while, so we may catch up with them again.
Our first
stop was just a few hundred yards down the canal at the water point which was
made more interesting by having to work round men at work – in
the end they kindly took a coffee break and let us continue unimpeded.
The junction
on the left above leads to and from Victoria Dock – just as we were about to go
these two boats pulled out
In the
ordinary way of things that would not have been a problem, except they moored
at Sainsburys not leaving enough room for us to fully moor – just one ring back
and all would have been well. Were they
there to shop? No, just for an engine
service! We managed to secure ourselves
sufficiently so we could go in and make the most of a shop where you can wheel
the trolley to the boat. Whilst we were
there Chris noticed that there is an Argos store at the back of this Sainsburys. A catalogue was collected
for our perusal. What might you wonder
were we after? Well, just over a week ago our television died – one minute it was fine and the next it was
dead! We need a television that is the
same size and that works with the swing out arm we have as the TV lives in a
cupboard. We would have managed quite
well until we got home, but with an Argos so close we thought we should see if
they could help. The answer is yes they
can, so I ordered one on line and we will collect it on the way back. A cocktail stick has been broken to make the third breakage (camera and TV) and we hope that is the end of our run of bad luck.
Fully
provisioned and we were on our way. You
don’t often see steam powered craft – you could smell the coal smoke!
Now there is
a hair do to conjure with
There are no
locks on this canal – just a succession of swing/lift bridges that are operated
for you by bridge keepers.
It was not
long before we arrived at Saul Junction
and it was not long before we had a visitor to the side hatch
When we were
here in 2015 someone was making good use of the remains of this boat
Sadly, it is
looking rather sad and unloved just now
For Monty’s
walk we followed part of the route of the Stroudwater Canal. We did not do the round circuit that Patrick
and Angela (nb Chouette) took us on two years ago as we were not 100% sure of the way. It is a very pleasant walk with a lot of contrasting scenery.
There are
plans afoot to restore this canal. Sadly,
this lock was replaced some time ago and has become overgrown again.
Wednesday 28th June 2017
Saul
Junction
The forecast
was dire for today and we certainly woke to heavy rain. We had made the decision to stay put and have
a ‘pottering day’. As it turned out the
rain did stop, but it was certainly cold, grey and miserable. Apart from a couple of Monty walks between
the showers I caught up on the blog and a few domestic chores and Chris did some jobs with varnish and
then did some rope whipping. The
highlight – well just the one – two weed cutters came past mid-afternoon!
That, we
thought, was that. Well it was until about
20:30 when we became aware of a very persistent police helicopter circling
above the canal.
Then a
police car arrived and two PC’s got out and ran across the bridge. They
returned to the car and left – I am glad to say that despite being occupied and
in a hurry the driver noticed the little dog (white arrow) and managed to stop
as it ran across the road in front of him.
The car went
to the next bridge along and drove down the tow path on the other side and the
PC’s got out to resume the hunt.
Another couple of cars arrived to join in the search.
It was
obvious they were looking for someone – was it someone on the run? We found out later that it was someone who
was threatening to drown themselves in the canal. We don’t know the outcome, but as things went
quiet we hope they were successful and that the person was found and given the
help they needed.
Thursday 29th June 2017
Saul
Junction to Sharpness
8 miles, 7 swing/lift bridges
Another very
grey and dismal day, so unlike the weather when we were here two years
ago. The views along this canal are far
reaching, but the grey cloudy skies do not do them justice.
It is as you
approach a place called Splatt Bridge with its rather pretty church
that you get
your first views of the River Severn
Yet more
swing bridges – most of them are electronic and all the gate keeper has to do
is push some buttons. A couple, however,
require a bit more effort!
I really do
hope the owners of this boat do come from Peckham!
We thought
these two were quite big
Until this
came past us
And here we
are at Sharpness (the end of the line) about to wind (turn around) before finding a mooring for the
night.
The Upper
and Lower bridges that lead to the tidal Severn – we are not going that way
this time. To be honest even if we had
planned on doing so, I think the weather would have held us up as you need a
good, calm, wind free day. Another time
maybe – who knows?
As you wind
there is an arm leading down to an old sea lock. The arm is now used for private
moorings.
Safely
moored
With these
views of the River Severn
Just as we
moored this happened!! Inside for lunch
and to try and warm up.
The rain
came and went and came again, but Monty does not understand too wet to walk, so
we set off to walk to the end of the mooring arm where we were rewarded with a
view of the Severn bridges that we sailed underneath on 23rd June
2015 if you want a reminder of that awesome day have a look HERE
The tide was
probably at its lowest by this time
Neither of
us remember this, so we suspect it is new.
It is certainly huge and dominates the area.
We spotted a
couple of birds on our travels - firstly this cormorant
and drying his wings after a lengthy dive
And a couple
of these tiny Reed Warblers??? I am sure
someone will tell me if I am wrong.
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