Category: Cruising

Details of our experiences

February 2021 Gloucester

Started a bit dreary but ended warm and Spring like!

We had ice. The foam is the edge of the ice sheet.

And the River Severn reached its highest point so far this winter:

We continue to Volunteer at Saul Junction (allowed under Covid Lockdown rules). This is the River Frome that flows under the canal. Yes, under! Remember a photo of heron standing here in an earlier month?

You can see why we are allowed to litter pick each week!

Taking samples of the water from the canal (used as a source for Bristol).

The new tree in the picnic area and below the spring flowers

On the way back from Tesco you pass the ruins of St Oswald’s church, built by Aethelstan of the Mercians and his wife Ethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred

I am always saying that each day we walk around Gloucester we discover something new Here is Charles II tucked away by the 1960s flats. Below for Motor cycle fans.

New planting on Westgate Street. Below something to shout about!

Blackthorn in bloom on the edge of the park, part of our litter picking route.

And we took a slightly different route back to the docks and found the city wall adorned with words An historic City.

Colin has a number of different flags for LV14 Sula. When Gloucester lose at rugby the flags are at half mast. If you fancy a couple of nights aboard then hurry as bookings are coming in rapidly.

The last day of the month took us to the cemeteries. Firstly to Tredworth and past this cricket friendly school. Notice the bell.

The headstones of the First World War indicated jobs and branch of the military. Royal Horse Artillery were next to RAF and stokers in the Navy. Men from Canada, New Zealand and Poland next to those of Gloucester and Wales. In the second world War there were two women who had served in the Auxiliary service who delivered planes to airfields where they were needed. This part of the cemetery was extremely well cared for.

Then to Coney Hill Cemetery, full of blossom and spring flowers. A beautiful, well cared for cemetery and not one of my ancestors is buried here!

A great asset is the Willow Cafe alongside the car park. In Melbourne NZ where one of Tony’s ancestors is buried they have a cafe/hall arrangement where a wake can very conveniently be held.

And more discoveries on our way back….

Once a pub, now a supermarket advertising Eastern European delicacies and a set of interesting bins on Barton Street.

And the last few days on the month were warm (for this time of year) and sunny.

Victoria Basin Gloucester January 2021

Happy New Year! Although cold at 1.03 degrees at 9.39 it turned out to be a lovely day and the start of our “Dry January”. Snow arrived on 2nd

Finally dredging came to an end. Edward Elgar the cruise ship had to move its mooring temporarily.

Water leak! A cold weather hazard!

We have 24 hour security patrols around the docks but not normally on horseback. We also have daily cleaning by very pleasant staff.

We often check the river levels! Notice the paddleboarders. Although the level was down the current was very strong

A few days later the level has risen again

We continue to walk around different parts of the city and always discover something new. This is where our GP surgery will move to once it’s finished. Obviously its not achieved to scheduled date It will be about 400 yards away so very convenient.

The Beatrix Potter alley way leads to the Cathedral.

We spotted a photographic display in one of the shop windows with a slightly different view.

And which canal is in this photo?

This refurbishment will provide a lovely outdoor space with fountains. Note the Regal Cinema in the background. It must be the smartest Wetherspoons yet with its colourful floral displays. We just wonder what will happen to the Debenhams building in the photo below.

Wherever you walk you find things of beauty or interest such as the TSB bank on Eastgate the site of the Bluecoat hospital.

This is Westgate Street that leads down to the river. The Council has received a large sum of money to reinvigorate the area and smarten it up. The Civic Society put out a really good Zoom presentation on what they hope to achieve.

This is one of the particular buildings they are interested in. They hope to make some flats above the shops and get rid of awful signage in what will be a conservation area

The statue is close to Tesco on Southgate Street. Notice the green traffic light above the door. The poster to the left of the door explains you may enter the store only if the traffic light is green. I didn’t notice it, but as Tony was waiting for me outside he did!

One really interesting walk began by the canal. Remember the days when your Mother shopped at the Co-op?

Remember when you need matches to light the gas stove?

Beneath the mistletoe waiting for my handsome prince! It was a cold day so I didn’t hang about for long!

We passed recreation grounds, The Oval with its tennis courts, and came across this beautifully kept old school with its separate entrances for Girls Boys and Infants. And it was open for business…….Then this little corner park with its monument .

The Plaque read: Thomas Nelson Foster J P Christian citizen and merchant died at sea 2nd October 1901.

The as we returned to the docks we saw a mural we had never noticed before despite walking along this road many times.

What once had been decorative embellishments to a Georgian facade now window boxes on a scruffy house. There is always something new to see in this city.

Another sprinkling of snow on 24th

And I decided to be make a cake. As I had marzipan left over from Xmas I tried Mary Berry’s Battenburg cake. Delicious!

And the very best news:

December 2020

Volunteering continues Tony got his driving certificate!

Washing down white paintwork at Caen Hill

Hedging in Jubilee Wood Caen Hill keeping warm around the camp fire!

Christmas Market in Gloucester docks (with masks and at a distance)

Cakes shop window, always a great topical display (Westgate Street)

Highfield Garden Centre:

Eastgate market pig wearing a mask

Bought this lovely calendar from St Mary de Crypt church. Tony decided to replicate the shot of the docks. He took it from the bow of Matilda

Hillfield Garden and chapel the destination for another walk. It’s very well cared for by a team of volunteers

M5 Sunset

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Our friends on Sula switched on their Christmas lights and projected their image onto the disused warehouse opposite

Victoria Basin:

Litter picked the park on Christmas morning in a break from the rain!

On Boxing Day we checked the level of the River Severn. Notice the stop gates in front of the normal lock gates

Flooding! Can you spot the top of ladders on the wall?

The old Customs house looks out over the river

Spotted the first daffodils on 27th

Here we are on December 31st 2020. Woke to find the basin had iced over and it was minus 2.4 degrees at 6.16am.

Happy New Year!

November 2020

A very quiet month with Lockdown No 2. It did however mean that John Lewis could not get Tony’s camera repaired and therefore replaced it free of charge.

We are fortunate in having a large park nearby and so have been litter picking as we walked – lots of cider and vodka bottles! Dave the Parkkeeper is so grateful! A short service was held on 11th and we were somewhat surprised to see armed policemen in attendance.

We have found the really old fashioned, or perhaps I should say traditional, butcher who goes into the cold room and comes out with half a lamb and cuts the joint you have requested!

We’ve also discovered the fish and chip shop – in the top ten in England. We felt compelled to try them, and as it was around lunchtime we bought a small portion of chips and sat on a seat just outside the Cathedral grounds to eat them. Delicious!

The CRT allowed outdoor socially distanced etc volunteering to continue. Our task was to clear all the vegetation along the edge of the car park

We lost count of the number of bags we filled

Wearing our new blue volunteer jackets! You can recognise me by the yellow (steel toecaps) wellies!

All finished! Notice the log piles for insect homes!

What a difficult task! It took three days to hack through the brambles, ivy etc and complete the task. Below is how charming Saul Junction is, even in November.

And we spent a morning at Shepherds Patch (Slimbridge) weeding the statue

Dredging the docks. It’s an ugly looking beast!

Viv and Colin have displayed their Stay at Sula banner

And the night time display projected onto the old warehouse opposite

The docks at night

Map of the docks showing Victoria Basin to the right. The arrow shows where Matilda is moored.

Matilda moored bottom right:

Preparing for the festive season!

And to finish, the A38 road works are now finished the canal and towpath are ready, as are two huge concrete blocks to stop any car falling into the canal. Do you think motorists will notice the canal as they speed round the traffic island?

October 2020

We continued to do our volunteering on the G & S canal and the 14th saw the Green Flag hoisted at Saul Junction. The culmination of many hours of work by Bridge Keeper, Chris, wearing his blue uniform and a few from volunteers.

Most difficult job so far. It took three of us to manoeuvre this bollard from its side, to an upright position before concreting it in. Now it can be used again, prime position and popular.

Preparing the concrete base for the new litter bins

Job complete Now we need people to use them!

Edward Elgar cruise ship passing by and below enthusiasts sail model boats here

The Cotswold Canal Trust recieved a grant that will enable the Stroudwater canal to link from Saul Junction under A38 (almost complete) the railway, and M5 to Stroud. They have visitor centre at Saul Junction where volunteers Richard and Polly and others work tirelessly to raise funds for this project. There is also a cafe on the canal in Stroud itself.

The canal in Stroud

The road works on A38 are almost complete and the trees have been saved! You can clearly see how the canal will pass through the centre of the traffic island. A distraction for the motorist?

The Saul resident heron.

Moored at Splatt Bridge at sunset we saw an amazing sight. We just needed a movie camera to capture the movement:

The new dinghy cover looks very smart, c/o Chris of Harris Hoods.

Whilst not Lockeddown, met up with my sister at Astbury Mere Country Park Cheshire. Here she is clutching her present: a sweetcake, made in the Cotswolds. Highly decorative and made up of all the old favourites. Look at the website: www.hamptonssweetcakes.co.uk Not quite sure how long it will last!

Stroud Farmers Market was definitely worth visiting, Bought some delicious wholemeal bread and a bottle of Days Cottage apple juice.

We found time to go to the world famous Three Horseshoes for a pie at Frampton on Severn and found it was the Swan Trail week.

Victoria Basin, Gloucester our new mooring

Arrived in Gloucester on Friday afternoon in the rain, and when it eased, walked to The Quays shopping Mall to buy Lindt chocolates. They operate a loyalty scheme and I think we are on loyalty card 6! We were tired so went into Pizza Express and had a delicious four seasons pizza and good service from Emma, but we shall not be going again as several staff behind the counter were not wearing masks and one waiter had a mask over his mouth only! A lack of personal responsibility and respect for the customer, and poor management of staff.

Our mooring is a short walk from Sainsbury and in a hurry I bought bacon labelled J James and family. Imagine my surprise to find it was dutch bacon! I won’t be buying it again. Then this week I noticed frozen fish with the same label packed in China caught off Spitzbergen in North Atlantic! Happily we have found a butcher. Haven’t found a Waitrose here yet but suspect the nearest is Cheltenham or Stroud

Also moored here is LV14 SULA. Look at the Website:www.sulalightship.com You will find the interesting history of the ship and details of the new fantastic self catering apartment. Colin and Viv are gracious hosts. We first met them three years ago in Cassiobury Park Watford (on their narrowboat).

Note in background Llanthony Bridge raised.

September 2020 Part 3

So we took Henry to Wales staying initially at Harlech

The huge seaside campsite had a terrific statue

We visited Portmeirion, somewhere I had always wanted to see. Even in dismal weather it was an amazing place! Not only is the village quirky but there are coastal and woodland walks, a hotel and several self catering properties. We were pleased we had arrived early as by late morning it was very crowded. You also need to be fit!

In the afternoon we visited Portmadog and had a late lunch at the station.

We caught up with Cousin Rod and wife Wendy and admired his garden tramline.

We set off on a tour of Anglesea and found Red Wharf Bay where Tony spent some childhood holidays.

The Charming Bull Bay

And Holyhead probably the least said the better!

Leaving the island

This must be the best view from any supermarket Car Park! Thank you Morrisons in Caernarvon.

From Harlech to Aberaeron we passed the Corris Craft Centre

As a chocolate and gin lover it couldn’t fail to please! The chocolate disappeared very quickly but haven’t opened to gin yet!

Whilst there we only had a small plane overfly, but an explanation of what the roar might have been, disappearing through the narrow valley:

We moved south to a beautiful camp site at Shawcross near Aberaeron.

Aberaeron has colourful cottages around the harbour

It was a bit chilly for ice cream but they we doing a roaring trade!

Celebrating a local hero

And this caught my eye

And of course Dylan Thomas! He seems to have visited every town in Wales!

This is New Quay. Very pretty and very windy!

Guess who was here?

In need of a lifeboat?

A cake to be recommended! A sort of cream, white chocolate and biscuit bombe. So good we bought two to take away. Expensive but worth every mouthful!

Sailors beware!

We saw this telephone box being used as a greenhouse for tomatoes

And off to Cardigan

High Street and Market with fantastic haberdashery stall

And the castle, well more of a house… It has been remodelled several times

Well how could we resist

A view of the vegetable garden

A commanding position

And then it was time to return, stopping off en route to catch a canal trip on the Mon and Brec a narrow canal.

September 2020 Part 1

Matilda went to the Historic Dry Dock at Hempstead, Gloucester to have her bottom blacked and engine serviced.

Dry dock full of water to allow Matilda to enter

Dry dock empty in order to carry out the blacking

From inside the dry dock. These are the gates that hold out the water. We were told the timber came out of a ship in Napoleonic times but the tree dates back to Tudor times.

Whilst that was happening we took Henry to the Tudor Arms Park for a few days. A very nice campsite with a very good pub next door!

Friday night is Pizza Night at Tudor Arms Park. Cooked to order and delicious!

Miserden House Garden was open as part of the National Gardens Scheme. What a lovely place! Had good chat with the gardener who explained the empty area of the border was as a result of trying to get rid of ground elder. We suggested he got a few chickens as they had rid our garden of the dreaded weed in less than a month! Here are a few photos.

Decorative fruit cage

The house and village is owned by the Wills family

I love these steps above and below the deer look so real!

A pretty church and we found the chickens in the churchyard.

This village has it all

September 2020 Part 2 Roadworks

We have been watching the progress of the work to route the Stroudwater Canal, part of the Cotswold Canal Trust, under the A38

January 5 The roundabout

January 27

March 2

March 9

Saving the tree?

September 1st

The preformed bridge components shots taken as we passed by

September 2

September 6

This is the line of the canal towards the Gloucester and Sharpness canal to which it will join, at Saul Junction

September 17

See the towpath taking shape below

Just off the roadworks site is Fromebridge Mill. A tranquil setting for a pint alongside the River Frome

October 6

Rubbish cleared and piling in. Good progress in one month. The canal is due to open from Saul junction through Stroud to Brimscombe Port by 2025. Originally it went all the way to the Thames at Lechlade via the Sapperton Tunnel, and that restoration is the further challenge for the Cotswold Canals Trust. More details, maps etc at the Visitor Centre at Saul Junction.

Around and About August 2020

A lovely NGS garden open

    Then a trip to Leominster

    Refreshment for dogs above and humans below

    Keeping the cricket pitch in tip top condition!

    How to wreck an old building – add modern windows!

    Good advice!

    The Priory, an amazing interior

    The ducking stool!

    Fabulous Wall hanging

    A sign of the times but well phrased! Beautiful trees in the grounds

    Life on the river

    Models boats and amphibious car

    One boat pushing another?

    Disaster on the slipway!

    Narrow boat in trouble!

    Passing dragon fly and caterpillar

    Flowering water plant

    End of day reflection

    Volunteering at Saul Junction Painting is just one of the many tasks

    We spent a lot of time volunteering hoping to get a Green Flag Award for the Saul Junction section of the G & S canal but we did manage to take Henry to Blackland Lakes near Calne to help out our chums on the Towpath Task force at Caen Hill and also catch up with friends in Devizes. We cruised down to Sharpness one of our favourite spots to moor – amazing views out across the River Severn.

    A tour of Sharpness Docks on a wet afternoon

    Looking south from G & S

    Looking down the River Severn

    Cruisers waiting to go down river. The cruiser gives some indication of how huge this lock is.

    Yacht entering the lock

    A distant glimpse of the Severn bridges

    This is SARA house, HQ of the Severn Area Rescue Association

    A view of Matilda taken from the Dockers Social Club at Sharpness

    Sharpness views changeable weather!

    Butterfly at Saul

    Inspired by my visit to Ivycroft Open Garden