And back again!

Only one trouble with our chosen route. Unless you you out into the Bristol channel, which is not an option, you have to go back from whence you came.

So we went to the end of the navigation, spun her around and began the journey back.

A number of the boats around the junction are being used for 

the filming of a BBC series.

The rains were now truly behind us and it was warming up. I suppose going back gives you a different perspective,  but it remains familiar territory.  It is a very easy canal to navigate. Basically, point the boat and let others do the hard work opening the bridges. Ali is even nearly looking forward to working a lock again!

Our first stop was at Patch bridge. We needed to top up the fuel and empty the cassettes. The Black Shed, next to the bridge could supply all our needs, so we halted there. The lady running this cafe cum boaters wharf, could not be more pleasant. Nothing is too much trouble and even the fuel was reasonably priced. Quick fuel top up then ask about emptying the nasties. Many places make a charge for this service, but not here. Ok , the Elsan point is still in build, but it works and has a rinse tap. Job done. Bought a few essentials from the shop and we were off again. Just the water to top up now. Not a problem though, as there are services at Saul junction.

Well there are, with showers to boot, but only one tap! These are located between two swing bridges, so we passed through the first and moored up. Unfortunately,  a boat was already using the tap. " Its slow" said the chap filling his tank. Not a problem chimed we. What we didn't originally twig, was that whilst he was filling, his family were showering on the boat! It would be slow then, wouldn't it! So we spent the best part of an hour admiring the pump out apparatus.

Anyway, once done, we pulled out into mid channel, expecting the bridge to open. And waited. It was a tad windy just to make hovering interesting, but eventually we must have been spotted when a day boat arrived and we were on our way.  We intended to moor up on the outskirts of Gloucester and eventually found a spot just before Sims swing bridge.

There are all sorts of boats along the G&S of all sizes, we met these

we thought the cruiser was just about to overtake

and we were right, he went for it as soon as he had passed us!

and another one overtaking us

Next morning, not too early we pottered into town and  temporarily moored outside Sainsburys to get a major shop in.  That done, we moved on a few hundred yards and found a good spot on the secure floating moorings, just beyond a rather large light ship, permanently moored . It is odd walking on this pontoon. It bounces. After shuffling up to make room for another boat, we settled in. A quick walk around the docks, then a meal out.

its a bit harder to remove a prop foul on a cruiser!

we think it was his own rope too!

This place is Gull heaven. There are loads of them, plus pigeons, so apart from the interminable noise they make, their excrement certainly makes a mess on the roof! A noise fan on a nearby building only added to the cacophony.  But we slept, then wiped the roof the next morning...


So a farewell to Gloucester, through the last bridge, which lifts rather than swings, then into the main basin. We had phoned the lock keeper before setting off from the services, which were at the end of our overnight pontoon, so he was ready for us. The gates swung open as we approached and we were in, all on our lonesome. By 10 am we were out and once again on the Severn. With no locks for miles, punching against the flow, it was time for a wash load. In fact we did two loads! Quite a bit of debris floating down river, including some hefty logs, so it paid to be aware. But honestly, watching passing willow trees for three hours does tend to become wearisome.

Its a rather large bridge just for us

Gloucester Lock

Eventually, Upper Lode lock and it's associated weir hove into view. In we popped and roped up, for a rather gentle rise up in this massive lock. Then a short hop and turn onto the River Avon.

We had debated which way to go and the Avon won over the Worcester and Birmingham, mainly because it got us off the Severn a lot sooner. So we opted to view Avon willows, rather than their Severn cousins. There are also more places to stop and we end up in Stratford upon Avon, which must be a bonus.

Approaching the lock in Tewkesbury, to rise up onto the river proper, you are instructed to sound your horn to alert the keeper. Only one problem, it was 1330 and he was on his lunch! So we moored to the lock landing to wait. Just before 1400, a second narrowboat arrived, so we both slotted into the lock. Yet again, you must rope up on this river and the keeper was very particular. You also pay for navigating here as it is not a CRT waterway, but operated by a trust. Our dues paid, we were released from the lock and immediately moored up .

Total distance 29 miles 3 locks & 18 moveable bridges
(15 miles of commercial waterway 13 miles of large river, 1 broad lock 2 large locks.