Worcester to Sharpness via Gloucester (24 April 2009)

The boiler repair went very well and coincided with my brother, Terry, arriving at Worcester. Viking Afloat did a great job for us and came in right on the estimate for cost and completion time. The boiler itself appears to have just rotted away from the inside and apparently 5 years is about normal. It's working fine now and everything is all dried out underneath. The system is filled with 50/50 antifreeze, so freezing wasn't the problem.Since we left the marina at Worcester we have moored at Diglis Basin (by the river in Worcester), Tewkesbury, Gloucester Harbor, at Shepard's Patch on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, and tonight at Saul Junction (after visiting Sharpness). We like Worcester a lot and Tewkesbury even more. We moored just below the lock (that takes you from the Severn up to the Avon River) at Tewkesbury. Since this is "technically" a part of the Avon, we had to purchase a 1 day license. The lock up into Gloucester Harbor can be a little dicey. There is a weir just beyond the lock, so one wants to make it on the first try. We called the lock keeper when we were 6 miles upstream and he said to call back when we were at 3 miles. We did and he said that we were cleared and to come directly into the lock. When we arrived, the lock traffic light was red, but the gates were open. We could see that nobody was coming out of the lock so we went in and secured the bow and stern. It is really bad form to come into a lock on a red light, but I wasn't about to try to wait around outside. The current wasn't severe, but still strong. We waited a while in the lock and then I surprised the keeper by calling him and explaining that we weren't in a hurry but wanted to let him know we were there. He was amazed that we got in without him noticing and was apologetic as he locked us up. The basin is beautiful with several converted warehouses giving you a feeling of what it used to be like. There was a "boat jumble" that day (Sunday) and moorings were at a premium, so we breasted up with Rod and Rose who had arrived the day before. It was cocktails in bright sunshine on the floating pontoon that evening. We like this spot! Ann departed Tuesday morning to go home for a few days and Terry and I, and Rod and Rose moved onto the G&S. There are no locks, but lots of BW operated lift and swing bridges. Most are electric, but several are still hand cranked. The G&S is wide and deep and feels like a river with no flow. It starts out very industrial and turns quite rural before becoming industrial again at the port of Sharpness. The weather continues to be extremely nice here. The pub names are a real treat. The trick is to find the ones that are still like real pubs. You know, real darts, not electronic ones. The names of the beers, ales and bitters are amusing too. One of my very favorites is "Old Hooky" from the Hook Norton Brewery. About 10 years ago we booked a self catering cottage in the village of Hook Norton and I fell in love with their stuff.Tomorrow we will cruise just 2 1/2 hours back to Gloucester and to some stocking up of food and beverage. Then Friday we will do the slog upstream to Tewkesbury. Then it's up onto the Avon to aim for Stratford-upon-Avon. Somewhere along the Avon, Terry will depart and Ann will arrive.Great hearing from you.All the best,John (and Ann in Chicago) http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/canal/canal.htm Also Avon info http://www.catshill.com/trips/avon.htm