Sunday 19th August - day near Saul Junction
Spent a lovely quiet day on the boat and went for a walk along the River Severn, quite warm and very sunny.
Monday 20th August - Saul Junction to Gloucester Docks
Today we returned along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to Gloucester. Once in the docks we were able to moor alongside a pontoon making it easier for everyone to get on and off the boat.
Edward Elgar was just leaving Gloucester Docks on a cruise. It completely fills the lock, but in the distance there is a small plastic cruiser which was in the lock in front of Edward Elgar - they did look a little worried!
Edward Elgar is an Hotel boat with 11 bedrooms and offers 4, 5, or 6 day cruises for about 1500 pounds per person, amazing really!
We explored the area around the Cathedral.
We found a lovely herb garden in the Cathedral grounds, almost all herbs were there all listed with their uses, very informative.
These figures are above a clock makers in Gloucester. They have bells to ring on the quarter hours and hours on the clock. Old Father Time is in the middle, and the other figures represent Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
In the evening we saw the Sea Cadets from T.S. Gloucester out on the water in their pulling and power boats. They have a wonderful space to practise their water based skills.
Tuesday 21st August - Gloucester Docks
We stayed in the docks for the day and explored the meadows between the two channels of the River Severn. This is the Upper Parting which is not navigable.
A dredger on Reparian going down onto the River Severn, the largest traffic that uses the river these days.
These cottages were originally built for the dockers in about 1821. They have since been renovated and are available for purchase.
The Mariners Chapel was opened in 1849 to allow for evangelism to take place among the ignorant and neglected seamen and boatmen. The need was highlighted by a ship’s captain and a boatman who separately complained about the ‘absence of spiritual comforts’. Today it continues to bring the Christian message to the dock community.
Wednesday 22nd August - Gloucester Docks to Upton-Upon-Severn
Today we left Gloucester with the intention of spending a night in Tewkesbury before returning to Worcester.
We were delighted to see the River a lot lower and flowing far more sedately than on our first journey.
The disused lock from the Coombe Hill Canal. Opened in 1796 it was meant to transport goods to Cheltenham but the local geography meant that it was never completed and fell short by 5 miles. The lock was abandoned in 1876 because the owners couldn't afford to repair flood damage to the lock.
The Canal is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is the home of a number of rare and uncommon beetle species, and of two species of fly that have not been found anywhere else in the UK.
Good to see the sailing club in full swing, we had seen the topper sailing across the river in front of us.
We could see the tower of Tewkesbury Abbey ahead of us and were looking forward to staying for the evening there. Fortunately, the lock was closed for lunch so we took the opportunity to check for available moorings and discovered there weren't any! So, abandoned that idea and carried on down to Upton-upon-Severn.
We passed Reparian returning to Gloucester, wonder what its mission was?
Perch was being unloaded at the aggregates wharf and gradually rising in the water as it was being unloaded.
We moored for the evening in Upton-upon-Severn. The moorings were pretty crowded and we ended up mooring by the stone steps. A bit of a challenge for Toby, but he avoided landing in the river!
Thursday 23rd August - Upton-upon-Severn to Worcester Racecourse
We had a delightful cruise into Worcester, the river was very still, sun shining all very pleasant.
The Diglis Visitor Moorings were full, so we carried onto the Racecourse moorings and stayed there for a few days.
We expected to exchange and complete on our apartment purchase, but unfortunately the people we were buying from weren't ready so the whole thing has been postponed to the middle of September.
Saturday 25th August - Worcester Racecourse to Diglis Marina
Today we have moved the boat back down the river and up onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal where we have been able to secure a mooring in Diglis Marina.
We also had a lovely visit from Lizzie and Bea and we all had great fun following the giant giraffe trail around Worcester.
Bea was very excited as she found each of the giraffes. They have been painted by many different artists and are all over the city.
Although this cruise has been called Destination Worcester and we are in Worcester, as the apartment isn't ready yet we shall continue cruising until the middle of September, but as yet we haven't decided where. Next week could be a mystery.....
Map Key
Week 1 - Purple Week 2 - Brown Week 3 - Dark Orange
Week 4 - Dark Yellow
Great photos and information
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