Tuesday 3^rd June 2019

Harvey was out early this morning and was attacked by a Rottweiler. The dog pulled away from its owner, chased across the grass and rolled Harvey over several times biting him. With Harvey howling badly, luckily the Rottweiler stopped. It was very distressing. Thankfully he was unhurt. The woman was recovering from chemotherapy and did not have the strength to hold her dog. While we are full of sympathy for her, she shouldn’t be handling a big dog she cannot control.

Our intentions were to moor this evening at Ashleworth just 6 miles downriver, where the village has a working 15^th century Tithe Barn and a group of other, virtually intact, 15^th century buildings. However, the section of the River Severn below Upper Lode Lock is tidal during spring tides and we were told in the pub last night that spring tides were due. So, fortunately, I rang the lockkeeper at Gloucester who told us the mooring at Ashleworth was fixed and would be submerged during the night tonight. A place to be avoided then.

Tides occur due to the gravitational pull between earth and the moon. Most coastlines around the world have two tides per day. Tidal range, between high and low tides, vary due to the shape of the coastline and sea bed amongst other factors. The Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world, approximately 50 feet. Only Fundy Bay on the East coast of Canada is higher. Tidal ranges will also vary due to alignment of earth and moon, when the tides are said to be “spring“ tides or “Neap”. These two terms come from Viking words meaning greater or lesser.

On the advice of the Gloucester lock keeper we did not set off until 11:30 to have the tide running with us rather than setting off earlier and be punching into the tide. The morning was spent washing and polishing the port side and blackening the hull side. We also took the opportunity of doing a wash as there was an unmarked water point next to us.

We left the mooring and turned into a strong wind. The waves that were being kicked up made it feel almost as though we were at sea with the bow punching her way through them. It was quite exciting although it did feel a bit exposed and vulnerable on the backend.

The river passes the remains of Deerhurst Priory and Odda’s Chapel but we could see nothing of them from the river. The pub at Haw Bridge has recently closed and the mooring here, a sunken barge, was looking sad and neglected.

The entrance to the long abandoned Coombe Hill Canal was passed. This canal used to connect to Cheltenham and used mainly for supplying the town with coal. The lock gates leading from the river were visible although the canal beyond is unnavigable but there are plans for restoration. At Wainlode Hill there were warning signs to keep to one side. The banks of the cliffs are susceptible to slipping and there are underwater obstructions. We passed Ashleworth, shame we couldn’t moor, and presently came to Upper Parting where things became interesting.

The river divides here and forms a large island. The navigable channel of the approach to Gloucester 2½ miles away, bends to the left and becomes rather narrow with a number of quite sharp bends. There was a lot of floating debris, mainly tree branches but some of them very large and all had to be avoided. The navigational notes advised that Gloucester Lock be contacted at this point to warn of the approach and have the lock set. A large cabin cruiser had been bearing down on us but he had to slow because of the narrowness of the channel.

Presently the lock came into view and the gates started to swing open for us. A relief as the pull of the river veering to the right immediately before the lock entrance, could be felt quite strongly. If Upper Lode Lock was enormous, Gloucester Lock dwarfs it. It boarded on being almost intimidating. There is even a lift bridge on a busy road crossing the lock. This would not have to be lifted for a narrow boat, but did have to be raised for the cabin cruiser sharing the lock. Once we were settled in the lock the keeper started to fill it. it took ages to fill.

Once the gates were open it was amazing to pass out into Gloucester Docks. The basin is huge, surrounded by massive warehouses, now converted into apartments and eateries with the strong wind blowing straight down it. The mooring pontoons were on the left as we came out of the lock but turning meant having the wind blowing directly against our side. The manoeuvre to moor on the pontoon was tricky but went very well.

Passing out of Gloucester Lock into the Docks

Gloucester Docks Mooring

And Gloucester here we are. A real big buzz. Gloucester was our choice of destination when we first came onto the boat, but it has taken us a slow 12months to get here!

The Prosecco came out almost as soon as we had finished mooring.

Weather: very windy, blowing from the south.

Day Total: 1 locks; 11 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.5

Overall Total: 539 locks; 964 miles; 46 tunnels; 14 Swing Bridges; 3 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 619.1