And back again...

Friday 30^th June 2017

Sharpness to Patch Bridge

3.25 miles, 2 swing/lift bridge

We started the day with a walk to the Purton Hulks - the reason for the trip as although Monty and I went to look at them two years ago, Chris was left behind getting the boat ready for our trip from Sharpness to Portishead.  A journey by car from home of some 65 miles which would take about 1.25 hours. Instead we took the scenic route - 112 miles, 118 locks, 4 tunnels, 16 swing/lift bridges and 2 aqueducts - a grand total of 55 hours cruising over 23 days!

I took copious photos two years ago, so if anyone missed it and wants to know more please go and have a look at this post - Severn Railway Bridge and the Purton Hulks.

The tide was very low this time and although I had my camera with me I had forgotten to put the chip back in, so the pictures were saved to the internal memory.  We think we spotted the hulks of the two ships that sunk in the Severn Railway Bridge disaster, but they are locked inside the new camera and I have yet to work out how to extract them!  Something to do when I get home.

So for us it was a very short journey today and we arrived early at Patch Bridge hoping to secure a mooring, however there were no spaces.  The sign near the bridge states you can moor with the bridge keepers permission - we asked and got the go ahead.  We were actually on the Willow Trust moorings, but they weren't due to visit which is why we were able to take the space.

It was actually quite appropriate as we were due to meet Angela and Patrick for dinner in the Tudor Arms.  We first met them when we did the Wash crossing three years ago.  They live locally and are volunteers for the Willow Trust, so we felt entitled to use their mooring.  After dinner we went back to the boat for coffee.  It was great to see them both again and catch up on each others news.

Not only did we enjoy their company and the meal, but they arrived bearing gifts.  Angela has an allotment on which she works very hard to maintain and she (and many of her friends) are rewarded with wonderful home grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.  Our gifts were apricots, loganberries, raspberries and these sweet peas which were beautiful.

 So why did I stick them in a drinking glass? Well we don't own a vase on the boat as Chris has never liked cut flowers, so it is not something we have ever had on board. However, when Chris saw these his comment was 'they look really nice, maybe we should have flowers on board a bit more often'!!  So thank you Angela - I have already taken him up on the option and bought a few when we were in Worcester (below).  Next time we set sail I will have a vase on board, but the drinking glass did the job admirably.

Saturday 1^st July 2017

Patch Bridge to Gloucester Docks

11.5 miles, 10 swing/lift bridges

Having only just done this journey in the opposite direction a few days before there was not a lot to see and talk about.  

We did spot this couple lounging about on a bench by one of the swing bridges enjoying the sun.

This is High Orchard Bridge just before Sainsburys as you approach Gloucester from Sharpness.  Most of us can slip underneath, but is is swung for big ships - something I would love to see as it is a seriously big swing bridge.

I mentioned that we had a television to collect from Argos at the back of Sainsburys.  Well by this time we also had a watch to collect for Chris as the strap on his had broken comprehensively on the way to Sharpness.  It was essential that we found a mooring and as we arrived we saw that there was no one there.  Perfect you might think except there was a fisherman right in the middle of the moorings!  Although he could see us coming in he left it to the last minute to move not one but two rods.  He muttered a lot as we came in, but I am afraid we had very little sympathy for him.  A space at the end would not have been in anyone's way, but no, he had to put himself right bang slap in the middle.

Anyway we managed and collected the new television and a watch and then made our way to Gloucester Docks to find a mooring - it was busy, but there was a space, so all was well.

with this as our side hatch view towards Gloucester Lock

I mentioned apricots and loganberries given to us by Angela and Patrick - well they made a very tasty crumble for dessert that night with enough left over for the next day - thank you again, Angela.

Sunday 2^nd July 2017

Gloucester Docks

 A day off for us with once again several walks round Alney Island.  This time the cattle were close - most were quite ordinary

but one has a serious set of horns

Monty loves it there

At one point there is a small cattle grid which Monty flew over in one great bound the first time

but finally settled on sidling round the side!

We went out for a light lunch and did very little else that day - it was Sunday, so a day of rest was called for.

We did come across this boat for sale - it has 7 bedrooms I gather

This notice states that Sula is currently housing the Gloucester Buddhist Centre and has accommodation available for the new owners, so it sounds as though the former are sitting tenants.  I dread to think what the asking price is

We also found just one more pig - a rather resplendent Captain Hogwash

Finally I came across this 

 I am not a fan of graffiti, but this does at least demonstrate artistic talent and a degree of education.

We both love Gloucester and will go back - maybe for the Tall Ships Event one year - who knows.

To the end of the line.

Well the canal!

Tuesday 27^th 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

 Where we found a most unusual craft complete with a couple of pirates.

 The moorings are good here

 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 28^th 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 29^th 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 23^rd 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.

Dinner was eaten to the accompanying sound of rain beating down on the metal roof - not the most melodious of sounds and as I type this at 21:00 it has not ceased for several hours.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better as we start our return journey.