Pershore

Mick’s cold seemed to have resurfaced this morning, so a fresh supply of drugs was called for. Over breakfast we decided to stay put for another day hoping that he’d feel better tomorrow. Instead of cruising we’d restock with supplies from the handy Asda across the field. As the morning progressed most boats around us went on their way, NB Pilgrim waved as they pushed off and headed upstream.

After a restock we pottered away the rest of the day. I busied myself with listing my new items on Etsy and contacting a few people regarding some possible work later in the year.

Mick decided to have a look at the bow thruster. Since using it at Nafford Lock the other day it hasn’t sounded like the battery has been charging, the engine tone usually changes when you press the numpty button and this hasn’t been happening. To get to the bow thruster at the moment it means removing the anchor and chain that sit on top of the locker in the floor of the well deck. He then checked the voltage on the bow thruster batteries whilst the engine was running, this should have read 27.something, but was only 25.something. He then delved into the engine bay where the charging fuse for the bow thruster is located and tested that, it was blown as was thought. This is the second time this fuse has blown, the first time being very early days as we picked her up in Sheffield.

At the moment the bow thruster works, but gradually the charge in the batteries will fall. Mick hunted round for new fuses on the internet, the original one hadn’t needed to be a Vetus fuse as it is only used to charge the batteries via a split charge relay. Hopefully they will arrive in the next day or so.

Just after lunch our inbox had an Avon Navigation Notice appear in it.

WARNING NOTICE
WATERWAY –  AVON NAVIGATION

DATE OF ISSUE                29/05/2018 13:28
LOCATION                         Marlcliff to Barton Reach
DESCRIPTION & TYPE OF WARNING :
Due to adverse weather conditions the Navigation between Marlcliff and Barton is currently in a state of RED. Moor up at a flood safe mooring until levels return to normal. The moorings at Marlcliff lock are full. Further updates will be issued, or call the incident number below.
DURATION: Until further notice

Then an hour later another one arrived. This time it was affecting a reach down stream of the previous one. The river was now closed at Evesham about 4 hours upstream from us.

We checked gaugemaps and waited for the levels to rise here in Pershore. Posts on various facebook groups started to appear with boats backing up at one lock, stuck because of the river going into the red. NB Grace who had headed off yesterday morning was also stuck, moored up, within sight of a pub, it was just inaccessible due to no bridge over the weir. Wonder how far NB Pilgrim managed to get? Glad we’d stayed put.

With fewer people in the park Tilly was happier about going out. There was a lot of stalking to do, not just ducks but also pigeons today. A good vantage point high up in the tree next to us was found, the only downside was it didn’t have the quickest of routes down.

All afternoon we kept an eye on the levels by the boat. This reach is strange, the level has fluctuated by 4 inches since we’ve been here. By the end of the afternoon it appeared to have dropped, not gone up, but the flow was considerably quicker with ducks positively zooming past.

0 locks, 0 miles, 0.5 box of tissues used, 2 more bought, 1 shopping trip, 0 wine but 2 boxes of cold remedy, 1 excellent vantage point, 7 ducks, 2 pigeons, 1 screaming child, 25.something, 1 blown fuse, 2 reaches in the red, 3 new items in the shop, 6 more inches of crochet, 1 turned down, 1 still waiting.

River Levels at 9am today on the rise, levels higher upstream

Pershore, 3.345m, 5am last reading

Evesham, 0.886m

Stratford, 0.844m

Warwick, 1.567m

Pershore

I woke to a couple of messages from people who’d seen the amount of water that had fallen in Birmingham last night, they were concerned for us, I suspect not having posted my usual daily Facebook photo hadn’t helped. Checking the levels along the Avon suggested that the months rain Birmingham had in an hour was heading another way and not , as yet, towards us.

After breakfast we all walked up into Pershore to have a look round. Along Bridge Street and Broad Street there are numerous Georgian houses, high and handsome lining the main streets through town. Many wonderful doorways, alleyways, and balconies. We walked almost to the bridge where a toll house still stands with a long list of tolls.

It was now time to say goodbye to Siobhan and Rachael, their next destination Oxford. It was so lovely having them to stay, we’ve already booked Siobhan in same time next year, although she doesn’t know this yet!

Today was Pershore Carnival, it’s 50th anniversary.

Proceedings had kicked off at 10am up in Abbey Park. We were surprised at how much there was. A Farmers market, asparagus, bread, cakes, jams, pickles, sausages, pies and a fantastic cheese stall. All looked very yummy so we made sure we walked round all the stalls before returning to make purchases. If there had been samples on the cheese stall we’d have been tempted, but only one was familiar ‘The Best Cheese in the World’. This has very thin veins of black truffle through it. We can vouch that it is lovely having had a very small piece from the deli in Yelvertoft a couple of years ago. As much as the smell was wonderful, we resisted.

However next door was a pie stall. Mick jumped at a Pork Pie and we also got a Kiwi Pie to have later in the week, mince and cheddar, so we kind of got some cheese anyway. The asparagus looked good, but as we were eating out tonight we held back from this also, hopefully we’ll find some in the next couple of days.

As the Park sits round the Abbey we went inside to have a look. Another building with quite a lot missing. Built between 1090 and 1130 the heart of the building is Norman, only the south transept and tower piers remain. The original choir was victim to fires and in 1540 during the reformation the Ladys Chapel, Norman Nave  along with other monastic buildings were destroyed and the materials sold off. In the 1860’s Gilbert Scott was consulted and much work to the building was done including much of the present stained glass. Plans on a board suggest that they are hoping to install an organ in the future, although nothing confirmed this in writing.

Back outside a fun fair sat at the far end with the usual travelling rides. A Rock Choir sang their hearts out and show dogs wore boots to keep their front paws clean before the judging. Steam engines and Motorbikes.

Numerous Tombolas on charity stalls, home made ball games and a group of Oakley’s friends. Food stands with curries, pancakes, hog roasts allsorts. The whole thing was far bigger than we’d imagined and reminded me of fetes from my childhood, just the marquees with fruit and veg on display missing.

Time was getting on and people were starting to line the streets waiting for the Parade. We made our way back towards the river and found where the floats were waiting and then found a good vantage point to watch from.

Once confirmation had been given that the road blocks were in place the thumbs up was given to the Town Crier who hoped we all had deep pockets so that we could give generously. The Fire Brigade led the parade out followed by a pipe band.

Several floats created on the back of wagons represented local schools and groups. A gardening themed one had Monty Don on board, but my favourite was the golden bow clad Pershore Youth Centre, they’d even persuaded the tractor driver to wear a gold sequinned top.

A very good drumming group upstaged most of the music from the floats and under the fabric canopy of a carriage sat the Princesses and a Price of the carnival.

We returned to the boat, missing out on much music, dog shows, etc up in Abbey Park.

Late afternoon we were joined by our friends Christine and her husband Mick. A guided tour of Oleanna was given to Mick before we climbed in their car and were driven the half hour to their house in Malvern. Our route took us along parts of the Avon, then across the Severn at Upton. One boat was moored on the steps but due to the high walls of the bridge the pontoons were out of view. We gradually got closer to the Malvern Hills that have been in our periphery vision for months now.

Christine and Mick have a lovely house and garden (Camera mended, the shutter needed holding for longer to get the timer and flash to work!). We enjoyed a lovely evening in their company eating and drinking before they very kindly gave us a lift back to Pershore where the end of the Carnival was being celebrated with a 15 minute firework display.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 long Georgian street, 2 goodbyes til next year, 1 fair filled park, 50 years, 2 long bat the rats, 2 pies, 0 asparagus, 0 cheese, 2 bands, 1 fire engine, 1 asparagus, 1 carrot, 6 floats, 1 town crier, 2 car journeys, 3 glasses of wine, 1 yummy meal (Thank you Christine), 1 lovely evening, 15 minutes fireworks, 0 duck guests today.

River Levels at 9am today on the rise, but not sharpley

Pershore, 3.421m

Evesham, 0.914m

Stratford, 0.727m

Warwick, 1.294m

Comberton Quays to Pershore Recreation Ground

Long rumbles of thunder had woken us several times through the night and the amount of rain falling on the roof over our heads made such a din. The masses of fairies outside were now drowned and pushed into the weave of our cratch cover. What a mess, the roof wasn’t much better.

A mooring like this should be savoured and fully explored, a couple of days and I would have found the best vantage points in the trees to find friends. But this morning they decided otherwise. Why is it that outsides like Chester stay put for ages and ages, yet here I only got a few hours? They didn’t even let me outside to say my goodbyes!

Mick had managed to get Waterways Routes loaded onto his old tablet and with it fully charged up we had it sat out the back as we cruised our way up to Pershore. If we can somehow bring a cable from the 12volt socket on the Nicholson’s shelf at the stern without it fowling in the rear doors we will have a solution to keeping the tablet going on a long days cruise. Today it only had to last an hour and a half, which the battery coped with.

It was another grey start to the day and thunder didn’t feel far away as we curved our way along. Passing the next two moorings we were very glad we’d stopped where we had last night, both had roads alongside them. Houses peeked their roofs at us from high above, each with vast gardens coming down to the waters edge. A small £1,275,000 will get you one of these houses with great views, just not  much character.

As we neared the two bridges of Pershore  we could see a group of Paddleboarders heading down stream towards us. Slowing right down we waited for them all to positon themselves out of the way between the bridges. As we engaged gear again two more appeared around the bend, luckily the last two.

Pershore Lock was open and waiting for us, a cruiser having just arrived above. At 9ft deep I couldn’t reach the bow rope so Mick had to pass it up for me to secure to a bollard. The cruiser had a crew of nine, they all stood around and watched as I shifted the first of the heavy bottom gates before they offered to help. All roped up I could now open the ground paddle. This is situated well to the side of the lock and not knowing how powerful the water would be I wound it a bit then went to check. All was okay, paddle wound more, another check, fine, more, it went on forever! The crew of the cruiser helped wind up the gate paddles once they were covered just as rumbles of thunder reverberated around us. Thank goodness we wouldn’t be going much further today.

We stopped to fill with water, emptied the yellow water tank and rinsed the roof off before pulling forward onto the Recreation Park Moorings. There was plenty of space, so we picked a length without too many overhanging trees, hoping for a quieter night than last night.

A tidy up and a de-fairy was needed, we had thousands of them under the dinette, before our guests arrived.

This outside had potential, trees, plenty of grass to run around on. A shame it had too many people! The strange thing was some of them knew my name and they weren’t even close enough to read my cat tag. I kept my distance as Tom and she talked to them. They sounded interesting so I stayed close taking advantage of the pram cover to earwig the conversation. But little of it made any sense to me, Benefactor, Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round.

NB Pilgrim  was moored behind us, Barbara and Malcolm happen to read the blog so they just had to come to meet with Tilly. As we chatted Malcolm said that he had once appeared on stage at the SJT back in the 60’s, the early days of the Theatre in the Round in Scarborough under the helm of Stephen Joseph and in a room above the library. Amateur in the Round theatre festivals were held from 1960 until the 80’s. In 1965 Stephen Joseph felt he had no backing from the Library or Council so at the end of the summer he closed the doors believing that was the end. Ken Boden a local amateur proposed an amateur season for 1966 ending with the In The Round Festival. The season went ahead and may well have saved the theatre from being closed for ever. Was Malcolm part of the festival that kept the doors open in the summer of 1966 and meant that some thirty years later there was a position as Design Assistant available for me? Here’s a link to The Theatre In The Round site with all the history of the company.

Late afternoon our guests arrived. Siobhan and Rachael her daughter. A year ago Siobhan was one of our first visitors on Oleanna when we were in Paddington Basin. This is now her third visit to us which is impressive as her home address is Newcastle, Australia. Siobhan is an old friend of Mick’s and spends a few weeks each year visiting the UK. This time she and Rachel were staying the night, they were very excited about this.

More chatting going on inside. I had far more important things to do outside. DUCKS!!!

They couldn’t see me crouching at the back of the boat. With my short legged walk I rounded the corner onto the catwalk, slow as slow could be, my bell muffled. They sat there waiting for white bread. I got closer and closer ever so slowy. Then grasped my moment and POUNCED!!

The result of a cat pouncing at a group of Mallards is that the Mallards take the nearest, quickest route of escape. One such route was in through our side hatch! Siobhan and Rachael had a face full of Mallard. He hadn’t been invited to tea! Mick and I did our best to usher him towards a door, none of our windows being able to open enough for him to escape quickly. After a full guided tour he decided that he’d prefer to exit by the stern doors and got himself back to the safety of the river. He actually seemed quite cool about it as he drifted off downstream.

We decided to risk having a barbeque commandeering the bench next to Oleanna. A lovely evening which could have been a touch brighter, but at least the thunder storms stayed away as we ate, drank and chatted the evening away. We retired inside after the chocolate bananas had been eaten and as convection fog was gathering on the fields downstream.

1 lock, 4.2 miles, 9 on a cruiser, 3 paddles, 2 admirers, 1 boat fairy free, 15 mins to shop, 2 Antipodean/Irish visitors, 1 pounce, 1 fowl visitor, 2 much food, 4 bananas, 2 bottles of wine, 1 dry evening.

River Levels at 9am today

Pershore, 3.294m

Evesham, 0.76m

Stratford, 0.756m

Warwick, 1.304m

https://goo.gl/maps/vLZ7cyirX4m

Tewkesbury, I do like a good… to Comberton Quays

Some shopping was needed first thing and with the Saturday market in the car park behind Tescos we headed there first. Lots of fruit, veg and plants on offer. Sadly all the asparagus was from Portugal, we used to be spoilt with picked that day asparagus from the Balloon Tree near York back in the day when we had a car, you can really tell the difference. Only a couple of things picked up from the market, one being a new tape measure as our retractable one gave up when the chaps from Finesse were with us. Some more supplies from Tescos including this weeks newspaper and we headed back to the boat.

This morning we’d checked the river levels and yesterdays rise at Warwick was making it’s way downstream towards us, our side hatch was very easy to open as the river here had just reached amber. We decided that maybe we should try to cover as much ground as we could as we are meeting friends on Sunday and Monday and if the river came up any more our progress upstream would be affected. With more rain forecast we need to be on the cautious side.

We stowed our shopping and made ready. The lock was busy, a constant flow of narrowboats and cruisers wanting to come or go down. As we started to pull our ropes out from the rings on the flood safe poles the people from the boat behind appeared. They were wanting to jump into our space as they preferred it there. Just as we pulled off I realised why I recognised the boat, we’d headed into Liverpool with them (NB Tranquillity) last summer. So many boats now seem familiar to us, are there really 30,000 on the network?

A beep on the horn and we were clear to go under King John’s Bridge, popping out to the view of large pontoons and the marina.

The wind was in our faces, grey mist covered the landscape, such a shame as the river banks are low so there were views out there somewhere.

The moorings at The Fleet were full, space for a couple of cruisers on the paid for moorings. A boat following us pulled in at the Ferry mooring leaving us to continue up stream on our own. On past The Severn Sailing club. Here yachts were taking advantage of the wind and zooming down stream, one set off and zipped right across the river then tacked making it’s way upstream. Under a giant pig arc a full blown hog roast was turning on a spit gradually cooking over large logs, it looked like it would be very tasty.

Soon the sight of the frothy waters from the weirs at Strensham came into view, the second one doing it’s best to push us off to the side, but with extra umph we pushed on towards the lock. We’ve bought a River Avon guide which has lock landings amongst other things marked. The first landing was short and hard to get into because of the flow from a sluice close by, the second more sheltered from the fast flowing water, but quite short for us. A cruiser was just finishing going up and a narrowboat came into view, so we tied up. I sorted my bow rope for ease of access onto the roof, from here I should be able to pick it up with the handle of my windlass as long as the locks aren’t too deep.

The narrowboat coming down was 70ft, getting on for another 3ft with all their fenders down. They were travelling with another similar length boat and had had to descend the last few locks backwards, reversing in. This gives you that bit more space with the curve of the bow sitting over the cil. When we first had Lillian we came down the Salter Hebble locks and had to do the top two backwards as we couldn’t open the bottom gates to get out. The currents and wind today were such that they were going to try to go forwards first. Short locks mean one boat at a time to be able to use the diagonal, fenders lifted and then slowly does it. No lifting the gate paddles straight up, instead easy does it keeping an eye on the stern at all times, should anything happen you need to be able to close the paddle quickly to stop the boat from getting cilled. They hoped that with the river being high this would afford them a few more inches above the cil. Gradually the water was let out and gradually the boat dropped still afloat when the levels equalled out. It took quite a bit to get their bow past the bottom gate but in the end it worked.

Our turn next. In we came and tied fore and aft. The crew on the other boat said the paddles were so fierce that even with two boats in a lock they were biffed around when they had headed upstream. So we lifted the paddle on the opposite side a bit first and then maybe a bit too much. Our bow line by now needed tightening and I’d turned it three times round the bollard so the lady holding it couldn’t pull it in. With assistance we got Oleanna back to the lock side and under control again. Our first River Avon Lock  done, plenty more to come.

By now the sun had burnt it’s way through the mist and cloud and we could start to remove our outer layers. At Elkington Bridge we held back as a cruiser was coming downstream.  On a river you have more control going upstream, being able to stop where as they would just keep coming. The red sandstone bridge hole was quite small and the force of the water meant keeping a central line, but the height gauges informed us that we’d have plenty of space.

The river now winds and curls round the landscape, the banks filled with cow parsley and rape seed yellow. Earlier we’d wished for sun and now we had it and the views that came with it. What a pretty river.

Nafford Lock was soon with us and the open bottom gates welcomed us in (unlike on canals here you leave the gates open when you leave). I hopped off to work the lock, the bow rope on the roof working well, so far. Gates closed, three turns around the bollard with the bow line and I gradually opened up the paddles on the top gate, only lifting them fully when the turbulence abated.

The exit to this lock is very steep, a 90 degree turn straight away with weirs to the left and right pulling the water around you. We paused so that I could close the swing bridge, then I hopped on. Our perfect positioning now gone array as we ended up too far to port to get the bow over, even using the bow thruster didn’t work. Only one thing for it, back into the lock as far as we could on the starboard side and then give it some wellie to get the stern round and the bow clear of the weir boom. It worked, but obviously hadn’t for someone in the past.

Our Avon guide showed three lots of moorings in the next reach, so did Waterways Routes, so we decided to stop at the first one that was free. The Avon guide maps are not to scale so what looked like a short journey to Comberton Quay turned out to be more like 2 miles. This of course would have been evident on Waterways Routes, but at the moment we don’t have the means to view it at the helm. We are working on this and hope to be able to use Mick’s old tablet, now redundant, solely for this once we’ve worked out how to get power to it as the battery life isn’t so good.

The flood safe mooring marked with blue poles was empty and looked perfect in the afternoon sunshine, a greener version of Bramble Cuttings on the Trent and Mersey.

Perfect! Too bloomin’ right!!! Trees, friendly cover, sideways trees, gates and signs, and if you looked hard enough holes to put your arms down. Three hours was not going to be anywhere near long enough.

Here was a good location in the sun to take some photos of my latest makes for my Etsy shop, I just need some time to list them now.

As the evening progressed the air filled with seeds from the willows, fairies floating by on the gentle breeze. The surface of the river was covered, our food fluffy and where ever you looked inside the boat there was a layer of them that would waft up to drift back down again. It’s going to take quite a bit to get rid of them all.

2 locks, 10.16 miles, 0 asparagus, 1st class stamps, 1 straight, 2 tight bridges, 70ft boat squeeze, 2 ropes, 2 swing bridges, 2nd attempt at exit, 1 bad baaber, 1 fantastic super doper mooring, 1 stamp of approval, 4 woofers though, 3 more wooly makes for the shop, 6443738252335378362432325672 fairies, 554747838622325 in the boat.

River Levels at 9am today

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.38m

Pershore, 3.444m

Evesham, 0.905m

Stratford, 0.731m

Warwick, 1.295m

https://goo.gl/maps/6Dwa1s3rvR12

Tewkesbury

Rain pouring on our roof is what we woke to this morning. The forecast last night had suggested showers, but they all looked like they would skirt happily past us, but no they were falling on us. This was eating into our day of exploring Tewkesbury (I do like a good…). By late morning it was easing a bit so we ventured out.

The building of the Abbey started in 1102, built to house Benedictine monks and was near completion when it was consecrated in 1121. As always with such buildings additions were made through the centuries Embellishments to the nave roof were added in the first half of the 14th century in the Decorated style. It has “probably the largest and finest Romanesque tower in England” (Pevsner), which can be seen for miles. Each building faze is quite easy to pick out from the others as you wander around. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the Lady Chapel and other sections were demolished leaving the Abbey Church which was sold to the parishioners for £453. Changes have continued through the years to this great solid building.

The first thing that struck us was how fantastically the interior was lit. Normally a bit of thought is put into such things and details of pillars are picked out. Occasionally you notice that the focus of some lights has been knocked and nothing of any importance has been highlighted. But here a lot of thought has been put into the lighting, illuminating everything and accentuating the beauty of the building.

Wonderful ceilings everywhere, some painted in red and blue, with embellishments picked out from the stonework with a border of red. There are so many faces up there looking down.

Many tombs surround the nave and small chapels sit everywhere. Everything and everyone labelled. It felt as though there should be so much more to the building, which at one time there was. Scars on the exterior show where the cloisters had once been and the foundations of the Lady Chapel are still marked out with flag stones.

A wonderful huge copper beech tree spreads it’s arms across the manicured grounds showing off it’s colour in the rain.

The organ has been undergoing a major refurbishment, large wooden boxes holding the pipes sat behind barriers waiting for them to be refitted. Two men were working at tuning those pipes already fitted, strange alien reverberations shivering through the air with the occasional note blown through. We did hope that they would be stopping for a wedding that was gathering, nothing worse than trying to say your vows as a G# is brought into tune.

The other thing I had to do whilst here was visit the battlefield where the penultimate battle of the War of the Roses took place. We’d noticed on one of the notice boards that the battle had taken place in the Bloody Meadow, how forward thinking people had been to name it so! Positioned just to the side of Lower Lode Lane we went to find it. At the junction with Gloucester Road is a topiary. At first Mick wondered why they were celebrating the number you dial to find out who had last called you  and I wondered why 47% was so important. Then the penny dropped 1471 was the year the battle took place!

There is a Battlefield walk that you can do, which we only discovered on our search for the meadow. Along side a narrow brook I stood where the Lancastrians, under Queen Margaret’s commanders Somerset, Wenlock and Devonshire were defeated by Edward IV’s Yorkists under Edward, Gloucester and Hastings. Walking to a far more manicured area we could look out as Queen Margaret’s party had just before all was lost, from here they retreated over the River Severn at Lower Lode on horse back.

Every year since 1984 the battle has been re-enacted here as part of the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival which takes place in July. It is regarded as the biggest Medieval gathering in Europe with over 2000 people taking part, many re-live the whole experience and knights can often be seen around the town. No wonder Peter Laird’s character in Knights in Plastic Armour said the immortal line from the play ‘I do like a good Tewkesbury’.

A toasted sandwich back in town was needed and where else could we go but to Tilly’s Tea Room.

We then spent the afternoon wandering up and down some of the many alleyways. Here is where most of the buildings give away their age and construction.

One such alleyway has been covered and is now part of Cornell Books . Shelves line either side with colour co-ordinated Penguin paperbacks and boxes of maps and in a rear room the owner jigs along to music as he sorts through the masses of volumes.

We walked back over the stone bridge and went to chat to the Lockie. The rain overnight was making us wonder how the Avon reacts. When we were stuck at Stourport a couple of months ago people were saying that at Tewkesbury the water was right over the fields, was this likely to happen, would we have difficulty moving, should we find flood safe moorings over the weekend.

The friendly chap couldn’t give us an opinion as to what would actually happen, but as we were heading upstream we should be okay as it would be easy to stop should we need to. On every bridge there are level gauges so we wouldn’t just need to rely on those at locks. He came to see us later as he’d had a call from the Environment Agency saying that the Avon had gone into flood at Warwick, this is likely to make it’s way down to us, but he wasn’t saying to stay put.

We’ll keep a close eye on the levels, especially as there are thunder storms forecast in the general area and flash flooding may occur! We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 very wet night and morning, 1 side hatch now easier to open, 1 long breakfast, 1 amazing abbey, 2 tuners, 643479 headless statues, 0 lady chapel, 2 feet, 1 bloody meadow, 1 view, 2 toasted sandwiches, 1 cafe Tewkesbury, 1 cafe 5th avenue NY, 1 river on the rise, 2 ropes on tall poles.

River Levels at 9am today

Tewkesbury, Severn 0.473m

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.216m

Pershore, 3.257m

Evesham, 0.558m

Stratford, 0.595m

Warwick, 1.124m

Worcester to Avon Lock Moorings, Tewkesbury (I do like a good…), River Avon

Rain! That wasn’t meant to happen until much later today. We had a leisurely breakfast and gradually got ourselves ready for the off. Most of the boats around us braved the rain and pushed off heading their different ways whilst we stayed put. At one point I’d just clicked start on the trip computer and we were just about to roll the covers up when the skies opened up again. It just doesn’t feel right setting off when it’s already raining so we waited some more.

By midday there was a break, covers rolled right back on the cratch, waterproofs and life jackets on and we pushed off away from our mooring heading upstream away from the weir to wind before returning to the lock. Diglis Lock is a little unnerving as the Lockie stays in their hut, how do they know that we are ready, there must be cameras so that they can see into the depths of the chamber. Once we’d dropped down onto the next reach of the river we were off, heading southwards on a calm but very grey day.

Despite Tilly’s escape pod being out she chose to keep the trip computer warm, more like over heating! As we’d left so late we elected to have lunch on the go rather than pulling over at Upton.

The gravel barges were working again today. One being filled another heading back for a new load and a third one having the gravel dug out of it’s hold by a large digger. The jaws picking up a tonne at a time, rising high into the air, swivelling and then dropping it into a shoot before a conveyor trundled it up hill to add to the mountain nearby.

Over the fields we could hear Curlews calling and the distinctive high pitched cheep of a Kingfisher kept me on my toes. Every now and then it would dart along the bank and out of view, then back again, all far too quick to get any photos.

After nearly three hours we reached Mythe Bridge and started to slow down from our speedy 5.8 mph. At the junction with the Avon there is a sand bank that runs out south west. If you are heading upstream from Gloucester into the Avon it doesn’t cause too much trouble, but heading down stream and turning in or coming from the Avon towards Worcester you must avoid cutting the corner.

We waited until we could see up the Avon before turning in, a sulking Heron sat on the sign there to welcome us.

New waters again and the first time Oleanna has been off C&RT waters. A short distance ahead we could see the lock landing with a red sign asking us to sound our horn , which we did and a minute later we got a cheery wave from the Lockie who then went to set the lock for us. A green light and we were in. Fore and Aft lines passed up and returned to us once passed round a bollard. They don’t like you to use only your centre line. Once we were level with the pound above there was time to sort out our visitor licence before we were let out of the lock. £50 for a week or another £10 for a second one. No brainer really, two weeks please and 2 nights mooring so that we can have a full day to explore Tewkesbury (I do like a good….), at £3 a night we’d be daft not to.

We were pointed to where we should moor then turned to the left, filled with water before reversing back to our mooring on a fixed pontoon the other side of the lock entrance. A quick Cat Health And Safety check of the area and it was decided that it was a suitable Tilly mooring despite being on a river.

At last, shore leave again. Except I got to walk above the water, that was a bit weird, how can you keep an eye on it when it’s under the thing you are standing on? No good trees, some sideways ones though. I had a good explore, but with the lack of friendly cover there wasn’t much to keep me occupied so instead I curled up in my escape pod for a snooze.

With the need to replenish Mick’s stocks of Fisherman’s Friends (he has succumbed to the lurgies), we had a short wander into town to find some. Much bigger than we’d expected we had a walk up the High Street, stocked up and then returned to the boat walking along the river.

When we got back to the lock we heard a horn sound from King John’s Bridge, the bow of a large boat was just showing through the large arch. It was Bellus Diem that we’d moored next to in Gloucester last bank holiday. They carefully nudged through the bridge and then chatted to the Lockie as to where to moor for the night. A cruiser was moved on so they could moor up by the bridge and they winded to get port side on, so easy when you have bow and stern thrusters. We sat and watched them rebuild their wheel house once moored, I have to say I’m glad we only have a pram cover.

From what we’ve seen of Tewkesbury (I do like a good…) we are in for a treat tomorrow, plenty to look at, just hope the rain stays away.

2 locks, 15.86 miles, 1 wind, 2 lefts, 1 reverse, 1 wet morning waiting, 1 boat at Upton, 1 grumpy Heron, 1 grey wet day, 1 wave, 2 weeks, 2 nights, 1 hour, 2 packs original tube clearing sweets, 1 pack bronchial sweets, 1 very pretty old town, 2 painted doors, 1 more flood meadow rich with buttercups, 1 tight squeeze, 1 cauliflower pizza!

River Levels at 9am today Bewdley Stourport 0.333

Diglis, Worcester 0.591m

Tewkesbury, Severn 0.457m

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.2m

https://goo.gl/maps/DjMRPb5aU332

Worcester

With National Trust cards in hand we found our way to Greyfriars House and Garden this morning. Before 1pm there are guided tours of the house and then in the afternoon you can wonder around the property on your own. We had to wait a short time for the next tour and were joined by two more couples. Our guide was knowledgeable, very quickly spoken and what we thought would be a quick taster of the history turned into quite a detailed 45 minutes.

Greyfriars was built around 1480 by a wealthy merchant, becoming a home to wealthy families up to the 17th century and in 1699 a baker purchased the lease and divided the house into two.  It was houses and  shops for the next 200 years. The sale of clothing, hats, bread, leather goods, umbrellas and china riveting all took place in the house.  Through the years extensions were added including 10  three storey cottages in the back yard. The small narrow staircases in the house which wound their way up behind fireplaces were replaced with a grander wider staircase.

The house gradually fell into disrepair and by the 1930’s was threatened with demolition along with the houses in George’s Yard at the rear. The local archaeological society fought for the house to be saved and after the Second World War it was carefully restored and refurbished by the Matley-Moores, Elsie and Malcolm, two siblings, who remained Greyfriars tennants until their deaths in the 1980s. The house is laid out still with their furnishings.

They spent getting on for around £500,000 in todays money on the property. They were some of the first reclaimers and used recycled materials where ever they could, whether it was brought in from other houses due for demolition or Gentlemans Relish pots which were used as tiles in one of the summer houses. The families who lived in the cottages in George’s Yard were rehoused and their homes demolished to create what Malcolm thought was likely to have been a Tudor garden, reusing a fireplace for a fountain and the roofing tiles for the steps.

Influenced greatly by what they saw on their holidays in Europe, returning with tiles and glass ornaments wrapped in a clean pair of knickers. Tiles were added to the dining room, which was then decorated in shades of Georgian yellow to match.

Elsie is also said to have rescued 70-90 door stops from a closing factory nearby, she then spent the following winter painting them, many decorate the house today. Standard lamps were made form old bed posts and decorated by Elsie in her favourite colours, green red and gold. 

After the tour we decided to loiter and then be able to go round on our own, having more time to look at things in detail. The front door was opened up and in each room there was a very enthusiastic volunteer guide ready to impart their knowledge to you. In the past when we’ve visited NT properties we’ve felt a little bit rushed through the property, or been surprised at how little information there is at hand, or been overwhelmed at the story of one family or person from the house that you don’t get to know who even built the house. Today we had the opposite.

Each guide in turn would ask if we’d visited before, we’d just done the tour and wanted to look round at a more leisurely pace for ourselves. Being the beginning of the afternoon they were keen to chat away at length and tell us all that we’d already heard. One rather wonderful old lady took a little while to warm up into full flow and then there was no stopping her! She’d been wound up and her spring was going to carry on until she’d exhausted the room of any air. We gained a few more tit bits about the house and it’s occupants but had really wanted to just look around on our own. As I tried to read a poem about the River Severn that had been rather wonderfully illustrated a guide talked at me about it, I just wanted to read it Thank You!!!

A wonderful house and garden to visit, we just had a bit too much information overload.

Across the road we had a look around the Tudor House Museum. This had been a brewery until some poor sole fell into a vat and died,it had also been used as an ARP warden station during the war. The rest of the museum suffered a little from too much information.

Huge swathes of writing about industry in the area, gloves, Lea and Perins covered the walls in such detail that we just skimmed the top of it all. Here was another case of guides being too enthusiastic. The air began to be sucked from around us again as she started to explain about how beds were made, ‘Goodnight, sleep tight!’.  Mick politely stood and listened as I looked round the room, I’m sure he was enthralled at the information that he was being bombarded with about embroidery and the different stitches and techniques, she’d been working on a design to make  matching curtains and an eiderdown for the bed too!

In the end neither of us were taking anything in, poor lady. It would have been so much more interesting if she had demonstrated the stiches or even got us to have a go on a little sampler, but instead we just got a wall of words. We managed to escape before all oxygen had been used.

Outside after getting our breath back we popped into The Handmade Scotch Egg Company, we’ve not had any pork pies for a while so thought we’d try one of these. A very friendly voice came out from nowhere and was shortly followed by the lady who was behind the counter. In front of us was a vast array of differing flavours and types of scotch eggs.

Just which to choose? We perused the choice for sometime and then went with a recommendation, a Valentino (wensleydale, cranberries and sausagemeat) and a BlackWatch (black pudding and pork). Very nice they were too.

A quick shop at Asda for a few bits to get us down river and then we walked back along the canal. The C&RT new branding was starting to show it’s face with signs being replaced in the new bright blue. Still no signs saying that you can’t moor after bridge 2 towards the water point where we’d been moved on last month. In fact if we hadn’t been told, we’d think you could moor there for 14 days, there is space for at least three boats before the services.

Back at the pontoon the newish looking black sign (that didn’t have a mooring limit) had been replaced with a new sign which now gave you 7 days. We’d be alright staying tonight.

0 locks, 0 miles, NT property no2, 45 minute guided tour, 2nd guided tour by 3 more guides, 1 overwhelming aroma of toasted teacakes, 1 verbal rugby tackling guide, 2 much information, 2 scotch eggs, 4 new big bright blue signs, 7 days, 1 truly pissed off cat.

River Levels at 9am today Bewdley Stourport 0.344

Diglis, Worcester 0.59m

Tewkesbury, Severn 0.457m

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.201m

Worcester

It’s not often you get woken by a boat moving in the middle of the night. In London you would rouse from your sleep take note and drop back off. It took me a couple of minutes to realise that it was unlikely to be a narrowboat as the only way onto the river at 4am would be through Diglis Locks as all other locks are operated by C&RT staff, something was not right.

Tilly had beaten me, the curtains were already twitching. The engine was getting closer and I could hear voices. Then lights swept their way across the river. Into view came a rib with three people, all wearing red beamed head torches, two very powerful torches were being used to check around the boom across the top of the weir cut. The sound of another engine, much closer this time, was followed by a second rib coming up slowly past the pontoon, searching between the moored boats. Someone must have been reported as having gone into the river.

The boats worked their way methodically along the boom and moored boats, gradually heading towards the lock. They returned a while later, one boat heading back up stream, the other pulling into the bank on the far side. They had pulled in to check on the weir, lights flashing across the falling water. About half an hour after I first noticed them the rib collected it’s crew and headed back upstream. It didn’t feel like they had found what they were looking for, hopefully it was a false alarm.

A few more hours of sleep before the alarm went off. Mick was heading to London for the day to pick up some important post from my brothers. Our post delivery can be intermittent and may take as long as six months to reach us, but if there is anything important we give my brother the heads up. Most things if important are scanned and emailed to us, but todays post included forms that need filling in, so it was worth a day on trains to get them.

Tilly and I waved Mick goodbye and I made sure I was dressed should a space appear on the pontoon. After a few movements by boats ahead of us sorting themselves out, a boat finally moved off from in front leaving an Oleanna sized gap. On a canal I’d have quite happily untied Oleanna and moved her up by myself, but here I was on a river with current, next to a weir, the wind had just decided to have a good blow and Tilly was adamant that she would come out and help! I did need some assistance, but not from Tilly.

Just as I’d got Oleanna ready to move, Terry popped his head out of the bow doors on NB Grace in the midst of having a tidy up. He very kindly gave me a hand. With their solar panel flattened he untied our stern rope as I undid the bow and we pulled Oleanna up into the space ahead, both boats now had sunlight to port and starboard.

A day on my own meant I had a list of things I wanted to do. Mick not being around meant  I could have a longer look round the shops, sit and read about new crochet stitches and have a go at designing my next woolly project. Don’t get me wrong, Mick doesn’t stop me from doing such things. It’s just that I’m always aware that he gets bored of shoes in the first shoe shop, so a third or forth don’t normally get a look in. I’m the same, one day at cricket was fine, but two, no thanks.

A walk to Sainsburys via the new footbridge downstream of Diglis Locks started my day. As I left the boat a number checker was doing his rounds, then wherever I turned there was a sea of bright blue t-shirts and C&RT badges, far too many Lock Keepers everywhere. There was a comment from one lady about sandwiches, just what was going on? The penny didn’t drop until later in the day when I realised that it was the launch of the new logo for C&RT.

At Diglis Lock island there sits three lock keepers cottages and a row of what looks like old workshops similar to those at Naburn on the Ouse. One of the cottages you can rent as a holiday let.

Just down stream is the new, 2010, footbridge which was built to try to encourage people of the city to walk more, creating another river crossing has made a circular route. I could see that a boat was on it’s way up in the barge lock, it turned out to be the Edward Elgar the hotel boat from Gloucester with people stood on the upper deck.

On the far bank paths continue down the river but I decided to walk back towards the cricket ground. From here you get a great view of the weir and how big it is, no wonder it took those people so long to check it last night.

The fields to the west of the river, Chapter Meadows, flood in the winter and autumn. In the spring rich grasses grow here and footpaths take you around the meadows. I followed part of the aptly named Buttercup Walk which took me across the fields towards Sainsburys. Looking back gave me great views of the cathedral.

Just as you turn out of the fields is a flood level indicator, much fancier than the one at Upton. This one has a salmon at the 1m mark, then birds and animals mark each following meter. In the floods of 2007 the water reached the Kingfisher at 4m.

A quick shop for light things and then I headed into town for a mooch round. I’m after some summer sandle/trainers, even though I looked in five shops I still didn’t find any. I did however buy some graph paper to help me work out a pattern for a throw I want to make influenced by our visit to Slimbridge. So much of the afternoon was spent drawing out designs, checking for any suitable crochet stitches and doing a couple of sample pieces. These still need a bit of work before I launch into my project in earnest.

By the time Mick had managed to return home, delays and cancelations delaying him, it was quite late. So we decided to head out for something to eat. A visit to The Anchor provided us with beer, wine, a tasty burger and fish and chips. All very nice sitting in their outside courtyard.

0 locks, 2 ribs, 0 persons found, 0 reports to be found, 65ft pulled forward, 1 kindly neighbour, 1 slightly twinging back, 0 boat washing, 1 coffee turned down, 2 much to pack into a me day, 1 bored Tilly, 2 outsides, 0 shore leave, 4.5 mile walk, 2 designs, 1 hour of engine, 70% to 95% topped up with sun power, 1 cancelled train, 2 Birmingham stations, 5 trains, 4 tubes, 1 bus, 11 hours, 2 important envelopes, 1 burger, 1 pint, 1 glass wine, 1 fish and chips, 1st episode Handmaids Tale, blimey!

River Levels at 9am today Bewdley Stourport 0.359

Diglis, Worcester 0.599m,

Tewkesbury, Severn 0.467m

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.211m

Tibberton to Diglis River Pontoon

We had a choice today, either we could go down six locks and moor where we had a month ago, which would take us around an hour and a half or we could push on and reach Worcester. The later was favoured. By the time we got moving several boats had come past in both directions, quite a few obviously trying to meet a deadline.

It wasn’t far to the top of the Offerton flight of six and as we started to work our way down a boat appeared behind us, as I closed the bottom gates the lock was already being reset. We met two hire boats coming up the flight, neither too confident at working the locks but it did mean that there would now be quite a bit of distance between us and the following boat.

On we carried retracing ourselves. The canal gradually getting more urban, the stretch shortly after Offerton is horrible, people have dumped rubbish over their fences, a form of gradual fly tipping!

At Bilford Top Lock I walked down to open the next lock for us, it was half full/empty and a boat was just pulling up. Neither ours nor theirs, I lifted the paddles to empty it. NB Betty D ascended as Oleanna descended above and we swopped in the pound in between, just enough time to compare lock techniques before we were both on our way.

After dropping down Gregory’s Mill Top and Bottom Locks we pulled in for some lunch. Three years ago we’d stopped in the same place before we said goodbye to Bridget and Storm. Back then the towpath was boarded by a building site, now new flats overlook the canal with people living there who don’t seem to mind the odd boat pulling up.

We thought we had timed our arrival into Worcester well, in front of the days batch of hire boats, we could see them all being shown their holiday homes down in the basin. But when we arrived at Blockhouse Lock an ABC boat was waiting to go down. One chap stood by the lock wearing a life jacket, maybe he was from the hire base and was there to show todays hirers how to work the first lock. I checked to see if it was okay to help them down which it was, the life jacket was being worn by one of the crew. The chaps had hired once before, so had been sent out without any help from the hire base, they remembered how to work the lock, but the chap at the helm kept asking his crew if he was clear of the cill by the bottom gates.

At The Commandery the canal was busy. The moorings were just about full with a few git gaps, a boat coming up managed to get the boats to nudge up so that there was just enough room for them. We wanted to fill with water so carried on down hoping there would be space on the river pontoon. Approaching the service block I kept my eyes peeled for signs relating to mooring, we’d been moved on from here last month. Other than those at the actual water point I couldn’t see any mention of time restrictions, I might go back tomorrow and have a better look.

Hose connected, Tilly’s pooh box cleaned and refreshed, all the rubbish gathered and what should happen, the heavens opened. An absolute deluge! I heard the tank say that it was full and decided to brave the downpour to give the port side of Oleanna a brush down to remove the now thick layer of dust, hoping the rain would give her an extra rinse. I’d thought Mick was sheltering at the bins, but he hadn’t made it that far and was hiding under the pram cover.

Twenty minutes later, two soggy hire boats had passed, then a single hander all heading for the river. The rain had stopped so we joined the single hander at the two big locks down onto the Severn. Just closing the gates on the bottom lock was the volunteer Lockie we’d seen last time, she came up and helped us through, we were recognised.

The single hander turned right to moor at the racecourse as we turned left. A couple of boats were just pulling in and breasting up on the pontoon, no space for us. I walked down to see if anyone was about to ask if we could breast up, luckily there was and we pulled up alongside NB Grace. A very welcoming chatty couple, we were well into conversation when the heavens opened again and we all immediately ran to our boats and dived into the dry.

16 locks, 6.16 miles, 1 left, 1 following, 5 hire boats, 1 full water tank, 0 rubbish, 1 port side looking better, 1 clean pooh box, 1 frustrated cat, 1 remote controlled boat, 2 abreast on the pontoon, 4 deluges.

River Levels at 9am today Bewdley Stourport 0.362

Diglis, Worcester 0.597m, 4 inches lower than a month ago

Tewkesbury, Severn 0.466m

Tewkesbury, Avon 2.212m

https://goo.gl/maps/onu5No2s4Gx

Bridge 32 to Not quite Tibberton

Before getting up this morning there was the very important job of Birthday present giving to be done, this would at last free up space in the drawer under my side of the bed for some of that wool that arrived the other day!

Cards, badges, wrapping paper, lots of chocolate, some sheepskin slippers from Tilly and a new tablet/mini laptop from me, the boy did well.

Next breakfast, my version of mushrooms on toast (in a white sauce) with a bit of bacon added and a couple of hash browns, well it was a special day. Just a shame it looked like a 1970’s beige brown breakfast as it was tasty.

We were in no rush to get anywhere today so Tilly had been allowed out first thing, when she returned we’d move on a bit, not far, just somewhere we hoped would be suitable for a barbecue. Whilst we waited we made use of being out in the countryside and emptied the yellow water tank, giving the hedgerows a treat.

On through Dunhampstead Tunnel the sign at Forge Studio giving us a much needed weather report!

Along with all the trees having grown green and fat and the abundance of blossom, all the pale dried reeds that border the canal on each side here are now being caught up with this years growth. Exactly a month ago we came along here and the new growth was only about 6 inches high, it’s now 3 foot. A boat held back for us to carry on along the avenue.

Once out of the reeds we were looking for a suitable place to stop, wide towpath, some armco, not too many nettles and not too close to the railway. Just before the last bend to Tibberton looked promising and on second attempt we managed to get close enough to the side to pull in for the day.

The moorings by the pub were empty, but our spot was better, wider and more rural for Tilly.

A small lunch, which mostly consisted of birthday cake before we settled down for the afternoon. Mick spent much of his time updating his new tablet and sorting out its settings. Still with an abundance of data it made sense to get everything updated now, although we’re sure Windows will sneak in an extra update just as our monthly allowance returns to normal! With Tilly out and Mick busy with his new toy the boat was very quiet. We may never speak to each other again as we now both have a keyboard each!

In the evening we lit the barbecue and enjoyed a full spread. Sweat corn to start, veg kebabs, salmon, marinated steak and chocolate bananas for pudding all washed down with a bottle of Gavi. Unfortunately the fireworks I’d arranged were set off far too early, whilst it was still light so we couldn’t appreciate them!

0 locks, 2.47 miles, 1 tunnel, 2 outsides, 1 expensive cardboard box not appreciated, 2 slippers, 2 in 1 tablet thingy, 2 outsides, 8.30pm dingding (they are slacking!), 1 birthday wee tank empty, 1 birthday breakfast, 1 birthday cake, 8 candles (didn’t want to set the alarms off), 1 peacock, 2 persistent cuckoos,  2 cobs of corn, 2 guiding lights, 3 steaks, 4 kebabs, 2 salmon steaks, 2 bananas, 10 chunks of chocolate, 4 rockets, 3 daddy long legs, 3 full tummies, 1 boy now 60!

https://goo.gl/maps/naK3kqrXrnP2