During the night the weather had worsened considerably. The wind was now gusting to 40mph, there were large waves with breakers on the canal. A large GRP cruiser just ahead of us had come partially untied. I was about to get dressed and try to retrieve it when some other boaters did it. I had a chat to them and one local boater said the bridges would be closed because of the wind. I rang the Purton bridge keeper, he said all was OK, so we set off. Once away from the river side at Sharpness the wind was less but still very gusty. We got to Patch bridge safely.

Our friends David & Veronica from South Africa arrived about twelve. They were not appreciating the cold weather at all! After lunch and a good chat they drove us back to Frampton to pick up our car and we left for home and our nephew’s wedding tomorrow.

The journey home was not uneventful. We had a blowout on the driver’s rear tyre. Smarts dont carry spares! With some very kind assistance of our friend Teresa and helpfulness of Thornbury Tyre Service, we got it fixed.