Friday 7th June
2019
Typically, the filter wrench was too small and so I had to return to
Machine Mart. Not long after leaving the boat, it began to rain and just got
heavier. I took a different route, cutting off corners and came upon Cromwell
Street, a very run-down area, where Fred and Rosemary West committed their
horrific murders in the 1970’s and 80’s. The house has been demolished and is
now a walkway and garden.
I was soaked by the time I reached the boat, but then Brenda had to go
back to M&S to exchange clothing, and she too, returned soaked.
We had paid to stay extra in Gloucester but today, had to move. After
ringing the bridge keeper at Llanthony Bridge, we left the mooring in heavy rain.
Protocol says that the first bridge of the day is contacted. After that the
keepers inform each other that you have passed through and the next one looks
out for you.
Llanthony Lift Bridge
Llanthony Bridge is a huge hydraulically operated lift bridge and we
felt very small passing beneath it. Just after the bridge we called into the
sanitary station and then passed beneath High Orchard Bridge before stopping
outside Sainsbury’s. High Orchard is an enormous bridge carrying a busy road
into Gloucester and so high it did not require lifting. Sainsbury’s sits right
next to the canal, we did a big shop and were able to wheel the trolley to the
boat. Very convenient.
The first 1½ mile out of Gloucester consisted of housing on one side
and industry on the other. The housing then petered out although the industry
continued for a further 2 miles until Sellars Bridge. There had been four other
bridges passed between High Orchard and Sellars, but only the first, Hempsted,
had to be opened. Hempsted Bridge is a manually, keeper operated bridge. The
keeper has to come out, lower the barriers either side, then, using a large,
fixed windlass, wind open the bridge, then change the light to green. The others
we encountered had enough headroom to pass under, just, apart from Netheridge,
which carries a main road and is a massive affair.
Each bridge had a lovely keeper’s cottage. These cottages are peculiar
to the G&S Canal and have great charm. They are only single storey
buildings, but each has a classic façade with fluted Doric columns and a pediment.
Hempsted
Bridge
Protocol still dictates that, even if there is enough headroom, boats
wait for the green light before proceeding. All the bridges have a traffic
light system. You have to stop for a red light, flashing red means the bridge
is being opened, and green to proceed. The locks on the River Severn operated
the same procedure.
Beyond Sellars we were into countryside at last. A wide canal, almost
river-like, and wide open skies. We
stopped just before Parkend Bridge in a delightful spot with nobody around us.
Very quiet and peaceful, just the noise of a cuckoo and pheasant.
Weather: heavy rain all day. Brighter in the afternoon and a fine
evening.
Day Total: 0 locks; 6 miles; 0 Tunnels; 1 Swing Bridge; 1 Lift Bridge;
0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 4.1 (including
running for hot water)
Overall Total: 539 locks; 970 miles; 46 tunnels; 15 Swing Bridges; 5
Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 623.2
Comments
Post a Comment