Droitwich to Sharpness

[frangar]

13 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

We're back!

 

We had an absolutely brilliant time - the weather made such a difference but Gloucester/Worcester and Sharpness are all lovely! I'm sure most on here have done this trip but if anyone hasn't it's definitely worth it. We did the cathedral tours at Worcester & Gloucester and visited the boat graveyard at Purton and looked around Sharpness docks (as much as you're allowed). Gloucester docks is an excellent place to moor, but we found Gloucester itself had higher than average 'just eat' delivery bikes and large groups sitting around drunk in the town which was a little unsettling - best stick to the docks! (first time that's been said I'm sure!). Thanks to CRT for causing a bit of worry by closing Diglis locks for a few days but in the end it didn't impact us. We were surprised how quiet everywhere was - i was the only boat on Diglis landings - usually we have to fight to get on here!

 

Some pics:

 

Glad you had a fun time. Did you manage to see any shipping moving at sharpness?  I like it down there a lot….love the footpath over the lock. 
 

If work and house maintenance allow we are hopefully making the same trip soon…I have to say black prince have a worrying number of boats in as it’s Easter hols but I suspect Tardebigge being closed isn’t helping. 

[robtheplod]

43 minutes ago, frangar said:

Glad you had a fun time. Did you manage to see any shipping moving at sharpness?  I like it down there a lot….love the footpath over the lock. 
 

If work and house maintenance allow we are hopefully making the same trip soon…I have to say black prince have a worrying number of boats in as it’s Easter hols but I suspect Tardebigge being closed isn’t helping. 

no ships sadly.... i did catch a glimpse into the dock at a sailing ship and also a lightship i think?

[frangar]

13 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

no ships sadly.... i did catch a glimpse into the dock at a sailing ship and also a lightship i think?

The lightship is the one CRT seized from Canning Dock in Liverpool and towed down to store at Sharpness for some reason. Sad really it’s just rotting away there.  There’s always some interesting stuff to look at including the railway which is slowly being restored and turned into a museum. 

[brianthesnail96]

There's a lot that's nice about Gloucester but unfortunately the natives rather let the side down (as a local I feel I'm allowed to say that)- the docks are definitely the most pleasant bit to spend any time in. 

Did keep half an eye out for you- or more accurately the boat- yesterday as I was passing but it seems you were already on your way! 

[robtheplod]

13 hours ago, brianthesnail96 said:

There's a lot that's nice about Gloucester but unfortunately the natives rather let the side down (as a local I feel I'm allowed to say that)- the docks are definitely the most pleasant bit to spend any time in. 

Did keep half an eye out for you- or more accurately the boat- yesterday as I was passing but it seems you were already on your way! 

We were back then ... still it saves me 'ignoring' someone trying to get my attention - I'm known for ignoring people - i blame it on my rubbish hearing and i'm not rude, honest! 

[Mike Coombes]

On 30/03/2025 at 16:09, Graham Davis said:

And I understand you can join the Sharpness Dockers Club very cheaply, and they seem to have a good selection of beer normally.
It's a great shame the Berkeley Hunt at Purton closed many years ago. I spent many a happy hour there with Kath and her sons.

 

Berkeley Hunt Eh!!

 

Very rude and offensive bit of Cockney Rhyming Slang. Not nice to be called a Berk!

 

'I'm orf dahne the Rubber in me new Jam wiv Takis the the Bubble!'

 

Can anyone translate?

[cuthound]

6 hours ago, Mike Coombes said:

 

Berkeley Hunt Eh!!

 

Very rude and offensive bit of Cockney Rhyming Slang. Not nice to be called a Berk!

 

'I'm orf dahne the Rubber in me new Jam wiv Takis the the Bubble!'

 

Can anyone translate?

 

"I'm of down the pub (rubber dub) in my new car (jam jar). I'm not sure of the last bit, but when I worked with real cockneys, bubble meant laugh (bubble bath).

[Mike Coombes]

3 hours ago, cuthound said:

 

"I'm of down the pub (rubber dub) in my new car (jam jar). I'm not sure of the last bit, but when I worked with real cockneys, bubble meant laugh (bubble bath).

Two out of three. 'Takis the Bubble' existed, a work colleague. He was our Greek Diesel Injection Pump engineer. Bubble and Squeak = Greek.

 

Well done, a virtual pint for you at the Rubber Dub Dub!

[cuthound]

2 minutes ago, Mike Coombes said:

Two out of three. 'Takis the Bubble' existed, a work colleague. He was our Greek Diesel Injection Pump engineer. Bubble and Squeak = Greek.

 

Well done, a virtual pint for you at the Rubber Dub Dub!

 

Workmate humour can be really funny.

 

When I first started work my colleagues kept talking about someone who was on leave, "Shetland Tony".

 

"Oh does he come from the Shetlands?" I asked.

 

"No it just that he's really short" came the reply...