Left at 09:45
arrived at 13:00.
Derek up and about 6:30 as
usual, it was raining, I got up 7:45 showered and sorted clothes round, whats
clean etc (we now have a very full washing basket) Its grey and muggy and Derek
says showers likely. Derek found the
spar and got milk, paper and sherry ? (just the essentials then !!!) Set off 9 45 Derek cleaned the weed hatch and
prop, 3 plastic bags and hedge trimmings.
Only 5 or so locks today (according to Derek that is ) an easy short day
?? The Goose family where in residence under the willow tree as we left. Saw a
family of ducks, the babies were really tiny there were 5, that seems to be a
regular number of babies for ducks.
Through the 1st bridge and there was a large open piece of
canal, like a winding hole. There were fishermen and beyond a row of
Narrowboats, so that’s where everyone is?!!
There was a beautiful Dutch barge called Jessica and opposite a day boat
for Copt Heath Wharf called Leprechaun! Further along at the Wharf a group of
excited kids and adults were taking a day boat out, we gave them a wave and
went under a tunnel bridge. This bit of
canal was more open but unfortunately because of the muggy weather the swirling
masses of flies were out again. A little
collection of ducks were at the side of the towpath, 5 male mallards and one
creamy coloured lady with a pile of babies, they looked like Sarah’s dogs all
heaped on one another so I couldn’t see
how many there ). Passed a moored NB
Ariadne, the lady of the boat had been outside with her pinny on, cleaning her
brasses, she spoke to Derek and said the engine sounded lovely. Arrived at Knowle lock, the man and lady who
moored behind us NB Hazel Laphroaig was going in the second lock, he asked if
we wanted him to wait for us, I unthinking said no we would be ok. I then realised they were broad locks, so
room for two. I shouted to him sorry for saying no and yes we would love to
share the locks with them. They waited
in the 2nd lock, his wife was driving, he came and gave me a hand
with No 1. These are a type of lock
we’ve never met before, hydraulic but as the other guy put it heavy buggers
(pardon the French)!!! I did the far side and there was climbing over lock
gates, steep steps, getting annoyed with one Brian Blessed lookalike coming up
at the last lock, he was a grumpy ungrateful old sod ( I didn’t curse him to
his face of course) just politely shut the gate behind him and sent him on his
way. Mr and Mrs from
l other NB went on their way, we thanked them for their help and said we would see them on the way. They love on the boat and moor on the
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, they moved on to the boat last March. He said
told me as we were chatting doing the locks that he couldn’t understand people
hiring boats for a so called leisurely holiday as it was very hard work. I asked him if he liked living on the boat
and he said yes but it was hard work. I
made a cuppa and we had a piece of home made cake (a fruit loaf brought from
home) and we came upon a BW dredger. Mr
and Mrs HL were just in front of the dredger, they have a big prop like us and
had obviously had trouble getting through.
We got halfway past it and stopped, Derek did a bit of engine, bow
thrusters manoeuvring and we were on our way again. I think we were heading for Kingswood
Junction. Its 12:30 and getting warm, 26 in the cratch. Derek keeps having little pauses; I think the
water is a bit shallow. We arrived at
Kingswood Junction at 1. At the Junction
we turn right through a little bridge and go towards Stratford, we are stopping
here today resting before a stretch with quite a few locks, at least they are
narrow ones so shouldn’t be too bad. We
moored just next to a field with a group of brown and black cows in it, they
are all laid down but it isn’t raining.
At the bridge hole there is a clearing that appears to be the nesting
place for a swan family and the local wildfowl bathing area. The ducks were
splashing about and having a good old wash and the swan had been doing the
same, making such a splash as we were approaching the mooring I thought someone
was swimming. !!! The male swan is at present separating a
Canada goose ( I assume male) from his family, a mum and 3 babies, who are in a
little gap just beyond the bathing area crying for daddy. I’m afraid the Swan is winning but as I came
away from the battle one of the goslings had joined its dad on the water? We went out for lunch to the Navigation, a
lovely pub just up from the mooring. It
was really pretty outside and in, well decorated quite contemporary but still
with old fashioned charm. The snug has
an uneven stone floor and large settles against the walls painted in the grey
green that is so popular nowadays, I love it, oh and the food was good
too. We went to the local shop, The Post
Office is now partially a wine shop and there is a little Village Shop
(literally called that) a little further on, we got butter and a decent mag. We have tele and intend to laze the day away
doing bits and bobs, the sun is still out also.
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