Friday 3rd May
2019
We had at least two cuckoos’ around us this morning although, with all
the greenery, we couldn’t actually see them. It has been years since a cuckoo
had been heard it seems. On the way downriver, we also heard several more.
We left the mooring, but first had to reverse down the river as we
were too close to Eckington Bridge to safely turn to pass through the narrow
bridge arches. Beyond the bridge came a railway bridge and then a long stretch
of cruiser moorings at Defford. Beyond that, nothing for the next two miles.
The river had become quite wide and the surrounding land, flat, so all
habitation is well removed from the river. The river took a wide sweep around
the distant village of Eckington, with Bredon Hill first to the left, then in
front, then back on the left, then finally behind, but could be seen all the
way into Tewkesbury.
The service point at Strensham has been removed, there are few enough
facilities on the river unless you cover the miles in between in a short period
of time. At Strensham Lock there is an Elsan disposal point and water. While we
were watering up, a woman in the adjoining cottage shouted to us from the door,
wrapped in a towel, asking us, politely, if we could not use the water until
she had finished showering. Apparently, she was just about to wash the soap off
her when the water flow died. This lock, like most on the Avon is pretty and
also has a mill, converted into a private house. There is a rather nice
memorial here to one of people that helped with the restoration of the lock and
mill who died in a car accident on his way home. The memorial consists of a
mill-stone and gearwheel unearthed during the restoration. The lower lock
landing though, was very short and set at an awkward angle to the narrow exit,
once Brenda had got back on board we had a bit of trouble manoeuvring to leave.
Strensham Lock
Again passing under the Coventry Water Main, this was the last stretch
of river before Tewkesbury and the confluence with the River Severn. The river
had become very wide and open. There are two sailing clubs close together. It
must be fine sailing along here.
It felt good passing by Bredon. We had seen this village, with boats
moored on a curve on the river, many times from the high M5 viaduct when
travelling south, and had always said “one day”. Unfortunately, there are no
public moorings, we would have liked to have stayed, it seems an interesting
place with a 14th century Tithe Barn, said to be the best preserved
in the country, and a Norman church mentioned by the poet John Masefield in
“All the land from Ludlow Town to Bredon Church’s spire”.
Tewkesbury Abbey became visible once we had passed beneath the
motorway despite still being a few miles away. Reaally imposing. Boats lined
both sides of the river in Tewkesbury and there are also marinas on both sides,
a lot of boats. Passing the two big weirs, we passed under St. John’s Bridge
and came upon the last lock before the River Severn. We moored on the pontoons
just beyond the lock but, finding a charge of £3 per night, and being retired
and unable to afford it, we moved to the quayside next to the pontoon. However,
there were steel tube pilings here and so we were unable to arrange any
fendering and so moved again, winding at the lock and reversing down to St.
John’s Bridge and mooring next to it.
Mooring at Tewksbury.
Avon Lock and Healing’s Mill beyond.
Our Avon licence expires today but the lockkeeper informed us that we
could stay on the river for a daily rate for up to 4 days without having to
move. He was the bearer of more good news. Gloucester Lock has reopened. This
means we can now achieve the Severn estuary crossing to the Kennet and Avon
Canal, which we would have been very disappointed to have missed out on.
We had a quick walk along Tewkesbury High Street and a visit to the
Abbey to find out the times of Sunday services. We tidied the boat, lit the
fire, prepared dinner and waited for Aaron and Sarah to arrive.
After Aaron picking Sarah up from work, they arrived about 5pm. It was
nice to see them although it is only an overnight stay. We normally go months
without seeing them and now twice in two weeks.
Weather: a nice day but rain in the afternoon.
Day Total: 1 lock; 7 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift
Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 3.3
Overall Total: 473 locks; 865 miles; 42 tunnels; 11 Swing Bridges; 3
Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 567.3
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