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Avon Ring + Sharpness Extension

Dave_P

By Dave_P
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PaulG Experienced

PaulG

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Now moored on the Avon in Stratford. The weather has been perfect. Will spend tomorrow in Stratford then off down the Avon on Wednesday.

Don't forget to stop in Tewkesbury!

Pub recommendation: Nottingham Arms (decent ale and good quality pub grub that won't empty your wallet!).

 

We're off down to Glawster on Friday ourselves.

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Dave_P Veteran

Dave_PDonate to Canal World

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Moored tonight at Offenham Lock. Unfortunately, we found ourself on the wrong side of the river for the pub. A passing cyclist recommended the Coach & Horses a mile up the lane in Harvington, so off we trotted. Upon arrival we were met with a pretty unappealing pub serving bog standard 'grub' - burger and chips etc. the place was packed and we were told there would be a long wait.

 

So on we trudged to the Golden Cross further up the village. Outside it didn't look too promising...

 

An hour later and I'm part way through one of the best pub meals I've ever had. The service has been faultless. The food fantastic. Local, seasonal, home-cooked from scratch. It's been open 5 weeks so is truly a hidden gem.

 

Finally, the prices are an absolute bargain! Word will soon be out about this place!

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PaulG Experienced

PaulG

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When you get to Gloucester, I'll second the suggestion to go to the Tall Ships pub. It doesn't look that impressive but the sea food is incredible! And so are their pancakes.

That's if you can get a mooring in the docks this weekend.

 

I've just seen that Portishead Yacht Club have a "block booking" for the Easter weekend:

 

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/806/portishead-easter-cruise

 

http://pccsail.com/blog/2014/03/12/cruise-in-company-to-gloucester-easter-2014/

 

BW put them on the "finger moorings" that are spaced for narrowboats. If you put a yacht on these pontoons, there's not enough space left even to be able to get a narrowboat onto the pontoon next to it.

 

Frankly I'm a bit p*ssed off with this. (Nothing against Portishead Yacht Club, or yotties in general exploring inland, however!).

 

BUT - the yacht owners pay £10 or so for a temporary CRT licence and then CRT allows their club to "block book" the visitor moorings in one of the most popular places on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

 

I pay many hundreds of pounds a year for my licence - but as a private boater, I can't book a mooring.

 

Can anyone think of a reason why this is fair?

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Dave_P Veteran

Dave_PDonate to Canal World

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Update on my pub review: the landlord came and offered more drinks. I told him if better not since we had a long walk back to the boat. So he offered to drive us back when we were done! Amazing! What an absolute star!

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Dave_P Veteran

Dave_PDonate to Canal World

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Some pictures of my trip so far

 

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ON the Lapworth Flight


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Lazy Locking in Lapworth


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Lock wall detail


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Moored at the Fleur-de-Lys


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Lapworth split bridge


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Edstone Aqueduct


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In the afternoon sun


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Old Bathing Place, Stratford


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Water fill by the RSC


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Wilmcote Locks


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More Stratford


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Picnicking by the Avon


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Dawn at Offenham


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Sunset in Tewkesbury

Edited by Dave_P
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blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

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Have a look around Sharpness Docks while you're down there too. It's a run down, gritty area but interesting too. You can sit at the picnic area and if you'e lucky you might see some boats coming in from the estuary. If I'd have thought of it I'd have arranged for someone to stand here and take a picture of my boat coming in last year.

 

Mobile phone picture

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Edited by blackrose
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Mendip-Locks Collaborator

Mendip-Locks

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Great thread and some lovely pictures thanks for sharing.

Last time I did the Avon was when I was 11 or 12 38 or more years ago I bet it's changed. We didn't venture up the Stratford as we thought it was derelict! I didn't think it was though just looked it!

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Dave_P Veteran

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Watching the sunset from the Berkeley Arms in Purton. No pork scratching a though. Disaster!

That's if you can get a mooring in the docks this weekend.

 

I've just seen that Portishead Yacht Club have a "block booking" for the Easter weekend:

 

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/806/portishead-easter-cruise

 

http://pccsail.com/blog/2014/03/12/cruise-in-company-to-gloucester-easter-2014/

 

BW put them on the "finger moorings" that are spaced for narrowboats. If you put a yacht on these pontoons, there's not enough space left even to be able to get a narrowboat onto the pontoon next to it.

 

Frankly I'm a bit p*ssed off with this. (Nothing against Portishead Yacht Club, or yotties in general exploring inland, however!).

 

BUT - the yacht owners pay £10 or so for a temporary CRT licence and then CRT allows their club to "block book" the visitor moorings in one of the most popular places on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

 

I pay many hundreds of pounds a year for my licence - but as a private boater, I can't book a mooring.

 

Can anyone think of a reason why this is fair?

The docks were pretty busy so we headed on through.

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nebulae Proficient

nebulae

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The Dockers Club in Sharpness comes highly recommended .Welcomes non members .Moorings at Sharpness by the railway tower had 2 boats on them when we were there last week .When we travelled up from Gloucester to Worcester last week we did not see another boat moving(plenty of canoes and rowing boats though).Also,plenty of moorings in Gloucester docks.I guess the docks are going to be popular Easter week though .My Nicolson guide,which admittedly is quite old,warns against mooringon the Gloucester and Sharpness,exept at recognised sites.In practice boats seem to moor anywhere

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Dave_P Veteran

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Update:

 

Stayed in Purton last night. The Hulks were fascinating and beautiful, followed by a couple of jars in the pub.

 

Returned to Gloucester today with a flotilla of yachts coming the other way. The docks are almost empty now.

 

Just about to head to The Tall Ship for a seafood nosh-up :)

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Dave_P Veteran

Dave_PDonate to Canal World

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Hi Dave P, saw you go past us at Saul Junction bridge yesterday morning.

The weather was so grotty we drove to the docks, saw Beau moored up there.

Better weather today!

It wasn't too bad up to Gloucester. The rain really set in later.

 

Yesterday we came up to Upton from Gloucester. Fairly strong current against us but Beau enjoys a challenge and we did it in 5.5 hours. Again, we arrived before the rain, thunder and lightening did.

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PaulG Experienced

PaulG

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Hiya Dave,

 

We were moored a few pontoons along from you in Glos docks on Sunday. The boat name didn't register with me or I would have said "hello"!

 

Then you came past us going upriver on Monday, somewhere around Wainlodes, as I recall.

 

Hope you enjoyed your trip!

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Dave_P Veteran

Dave_PDonate to Canal World

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Hiya Dave,

 

We were moored a few pontoons along from you in Glos docks on Sunday. The boat name didn't register with me or I would have said "hello"!

 

Then you came past us going upriver on Monday, somewhere around Wainlodes, as I recall.

 

Hope you enjoyed your trip!

Hi Paul, yes I've seen your boat a few times in the last few days. I'm up at Bevere Lock now and heading back down and onto the Worcs & Birmingham today.

 

For info: The Camp House Inn isn't doing food right now due to flood damage in the kitchens. They have a huge range of draught cider though!

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