Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Tewkesbury Basin to Workman Gardens Evesham (River Avon)

21 June – Tewkesbury to Pershore bridges

Leaving Tewkesbury going under King Johns Bridge (which were built around c1200 and widened in 1964) 



We left around 9am to fill up with water a marina and then headed of up the Avon. At marina we were told about River Camera here but unfortunately we haven’t had good reception to really check it out. http://www.avonnavigationtrust.org/index.php?id=15
 Interest sights along the way, new moorings being made just outside a pub
Road ahead is M5 very busy from here till we went under Pete counted 50 big trucks crossing

Eckington

We stopped at Eckington Bridge so that I could walk into village as we had no milk or oil and I badly could do with newspaper as we have not had TV reception for a few days, phone cover can be patchy along with internet – that’s England for you. Is there anyone out there !!!
Eckington was very cute village and has had people in area since 972


They had a nice example of a Roman Church probably built around 100 years after the Romans conquest in 1150 - The Holy Trinity http://www.eckington.info/church.html



Going through river locks on Avon is different also, here you must have a bow and stern line tied to bollards and leave gates open on the end you exit making sure you have closed paddles. I really like this rule.




We moored for the night a Pershore two bridges picnic area just before the lock to Pershore


TOTAL– 13 miles, 2 locks


 22 June - Pershore bridges to Workman’s Garden Evesham

On the move again by 9am and under the two bridges and through lock to explore Pershore village, more gardens and visited another Abbey





 Pershore Abbey

http://www.pershoreabbey.org.uk/history.html. Viewing the Abbey from the outside you can definitely tell the alterations and additions it has had over the centuries.


The gardens outside had some interesting sculptures along with a great carving of a tree designed by year 4 kids -  thought this could be done with some of the old trees at Waitakere Primary that are really getting dangerous near senior playground.





Anyway after a bit of history and a wonder around a very pretty village we headed back to the boat via ASDA for a shop. A shop this time including a 10 pound BBQ that will work perfectly for the 2 pound disposable BBQ which are everywhere and are ready to light, a great idea unfortunately they just need to be off the ground to really work. Problem solved.
On wards through more locks including the last diamond lock at Wyre Lock adjacent to the marina which was the Old Mill. Pete wondered why that shape for a lock and once you get a 54ft boat in, it is a little tricky.



On through more country side and villages that you can’t moor at unfortunately, only the pub and it was a little to early even for us. 



At the next lock we caught up with Eric the tug and barge from the Avon trust, the barge had just gone through as they have to pull it by hand and we went up with the tug – another tight squeeze – Fladbury lock actually tappers at the bottom so you needed to make sure you aren’t stuck once gates were closed before filling. 







Very interesting exercise and as the barge crew left I closed the paddles and found that they had left their winder behind. Oh dear a perfect excuse for Pete to chase after them. 
A few fisherman were looking glum as barge-tug combo and then a Narrowboat speed past.



We caught up with them at next lock and they locked us through and we headed to Evesham mooring at Workman’s Garden by 3.30 just in time for happy hour - Pete's favourite new beer just can't remember where he bought it.

 View for night in Evesham

Off to dinner later at AK Steak and Lobster Grill, I had Salmon and spinch creamy pasta 8/10 Pete had BBQ spare ribs with rum sauce. 
Interesting decor 
 Fantastic ceiling though

We shall explore Evesham tomorrow morning before moving. Still no TV but internet cover and phone better, unfortunately nearly out of credit and top up is 25th.

TOTAL – 12 miles, 4 locks






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