We had arranged to meet friends Mo & Jim in the evening at the Tudor Arms Slimbridge so we did a gentle chug back down to Patch bridge. This time we moored on the Sharpness side of the bridge where access is easier. We saw two goosanders on the canal, never seen a goosander before.
We decided that, being a bank holiday, today could be busier than yesterday so moved up to Splatt bridge near Frampton on Severn where it was much quieter and there was a good mooring with plenty of space on the grass for barbeques etc. About 11:00 daughter Nikki, son in law Paul and grandaughter Izzy
Moved down from Hempstead to here in the morning, arrived to find only one vacant mooring. It’s not ideal for our planned family barbeque, but it will have to do. Daughter Liz, son in law Simon, grandchildren Josh, Becca, William, Leo & Jess and father in law John all arrived at about 1:30 for the
For some reason we both had a sleepless night, so we decided to get up early, have a shower in the BW sani station and then set off about 7:00. Down through the two staircases and out onto the river. We were a bit early at Lincomb lock as the lockie doesnt start until 8:00.
Left home in two cars, left one at Slimbridge and then on up to Kidderminster. Unloaded and went to start the engine, turned over OK, but wouldn’t fire. I suspected that the cylinder glow plugs were not coming on. A poke about in the engine to tighten up some wiring and bingo, we were off.
It rained quite a bit in the night and the morning started off very cloudy. We were in no real hurry to get back but thought that the weather might get worse so set off around 9:00. Quite a pleasant trip, though a bit cold, until we got to just short of Kidderminster then it
This morning, whilst we were still in bed, there was a terrific thunderstorm – really loud, and heavy rain. It eventually passed and we got up and had to make a desicion about staying put or moving. A guy on the boat moored next to us said that he had heard a weather forecast predicting
Away just before 8am. It started off really sunny but the clouds thickened and we even had a few spots of rain. We needed a pumpout so stopped at Lime Kiln at Compton (after passing Granny Buttons at Autherley – no sign of Andrew). I also wanted to top upthe deisel but they had run
Lovely day again today, cool going along but wonderfully warm in the sunshine. Before we left Tixall at 11:30 I drilled out and re-tapped the screw holes for the pumpout fitting. It had been leaking (rainwater in, not ‘contents’ out!) and needed resealing but the brass fixing screws sheared off when I tried to remove
Not a bad day again today, none of the rain that was forecast. The sun has been almost shining and although the canal was very busy with some waiting at locks we got to Tixall Wide by 2:00. We passed Granny Buttons at br 98, I twittered Andrew, but no reply. Lots of boats at