Day 59: Saul Junction.

Hi Friends and Followers.

Welcome to get another day of hot sunny weather. The thought for the day was. Move or not move?
Back to last night. I climbed into bed at almost 10pm and the OH followed soon after. As we lay in bed a Tawny Owl was calling from the tree outside of our boat. Sadly it did not get any answers to its calls, but it was a lovely way to end the day.
Ok back to today and yeah I know we have hard decisions to make sometimes. The decision was taken to move.

So we had a short run, just 1.8 miles to Saul Junction. Some great views of the Forest of Dean across the River Severn. Whilst mooring up a red Kite put in an appearance overhead. I always smile broadly when I see a Red Kite. That is the second one we have seen on this trip, so feeling blessed.
We decided to go for a wander over to Saul Junction Marina. It is a huge marina, with boats of all shapes and sizes in it. We got nattering to Cheryl at the marina and it turns out she knows someone we know in the Arm. The world is such a small place at times. Our walk back took us across the swing bridge and back along the towpath.
I spent the afternoon reading yet another book. Soldier Girls by Annie Murray is on the go at the moment. I love Annie's books and how she writes.

Tomorrow are staying put.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 58: Fixed and moving again.

Hello Friends and Followers.

As I reported in my last post we had broken down and were moored at Lower Lode Inn. Well a fair bit has happened since then, so if you are sitting comfortably, with a cuppa I will begin.
We were made so welcome at Lower Lode Inn. The owner Samantha was so helpful in allowing us to use her facilities on site as she has a campsite. We made friends with Julia and Brian who own a static caravan near the Inn. They took me food shopping in Tewksbury and were so lovely. Before Carole and Adrian left us, we had a meal with them in the Inn which was excellent. The food and beer make this such a popular place, so you can sometime wait a bit for the food, but it was so worth it.
Carole and Adrian left us and went on their merry way, because they were on their two weeks holiday and we were on our own, waiting for Paul Redshaw our engineer. Paul built the broken down starter motor when the engine was put together almost 11 years ago, so we gave him the job of doing us a new starter motor. Whilst we waited I did some brass cleaning and a bit of painting as well. When I was not busy I was taking photographs of the Mouse family living in a breeze block.

They were very entertaining and the next day they were gone, they had moved out. We also had the pleasure of seeing a Red Kite flying with four Buzzards.
Friday morning dawned and having heard from Paul on Thursday, he said he would be with us on the Friday hopefully. He was good to his word and arrived about 11am. I was off out shopping with Julia and Brian, so I left Keith to help Paul with the job in hand, but I did have my fingers tightly crossed. When I got home the news was good and bad. The good news was the new starter motor which Paul had to build for us was working brilliantly. The bad news was out starter battery had died. Mind you it was 11 years old. The shorting out of the starter motor had killed it. So we were going to have to jump start the old girl using our leisure batteries, which was fine because we have a special switch in the system for that.

To celebrate I bought lunch in the Inn and yes it was followed by a pint. We also had a pint in the evening with Julia and Brian. With all of this going on I was keeping in touch with C&RT, letting them know progress or lack of it and so on Friday afternoon I was able to say to them that we would be off on Saturday morning and thanked them for their help.
Saturday morning we said "Cheerio" to everyone for now, as we will be going back. We were off to Gloucester.

We left at 8.30am and were followed by Magda and Lawrence on Wea-ry-tired. They had joined us at the Inn Thursday. It had been nice seeing them again as they had been in the Saltisford Arm last year. Magda stayed in the Arm on the boat whilst Lawrence was off playing golf. There was plenty of catching-up to be done between us all and yes a pint of two were enjoyed. We arrived in Gloucester and locked up with them and a posh boat.

We spent the remainder of Saturday walking into the city and then Saturday evening Magda and Lawrence invited us to a meal out with them at an Italian restaurant which was lovely.

Sunday was spent looking for water filters for our water jug. Eventually we got some from Boots. After lunch we walked around the dock and went into the Waterways Museum to see the changes made in the refurbishment. We could see very little change, but we still enjoyed the visit. I went out later on with my camera and took lots of snaps.

This morning (Monday) we left Gloucester docks and headed off into the wide blue yonder, well that was after we went shopping at Aldi for food. On our return we did the loo thing, got rid of rubbish and topped up with water. The we set off.

The bridges are all operated for you, so I had nothing to do, but make coffee and take photographs.

We are moored up in the countryside. Not sure if we will move tomorrow or not, but whatever I hope I will see you on the other side.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 53: Broken Down.

Hello Friends and Followers.

I knew it was all going far to well.
We had a fabulous couple of days at Upton-upon-Severn with our friends Carole and Adrian who were moored on the outside of us. We enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch at Ye Olde Anchor Inn washed down with a pint of Doombar Ale.
I had been looking around the town for rocks and came across three.

They will all be re-hidden on our journey.
We set off Monday morning to head towards Gloucester, enjoying a beautiful sunny cruise.

Having arrived at Upper Lode Lock, we entered the lock with our friends and another boat. Whilst we waited for the lock to empty we turned our engine off to allow the lock keeper to chat to the other boaters who were going into Gloucester Docks. Our problem came about when we tried to restart Hadar's engine. The starter motor was not working properly and therefore did not get the old girl going. Thankfully our friends Carole and Adrian breasted up with us and got us out of the lock and down onto the pontoon moorings at Lower Lode Inn. Adrian and Keith tried to find out the problem with the starter motor, but it was dead and was not going to revive, so we had to phone the engineer who fitted it almost 11 years ago. He had said that he would be with us either Tuesday or tomorrow (Thursday), so we will keep our fingers crossed. He is on the case which is the main thing.
The owner of the pub and caravan park, has been very kind at allowing us to use her Elsan and we have water on the pontoon. We have plenty of food on board, but I can always get a tesco delivery if all else fails. Oh the joys of boating. Hopefully we will be on our way soon.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 49:. Messing about on the River Severn.

Hello Friends and Followers.

This morning we left the Barge Canal Droitwich and headed onto the River Severn in bright sunshine, although it was a tad nippy.

We travelled with friends Carole and Adrian on Rypeck and a good time was had by all.

We got to play amongst the rowers from the Worcester Rowing Club today. There are some seriously good rowers amongst them.

Worcester Cathedral came into view.

I got to play at the tiller on the river for a bit. Hadar loves rivers because of the deep water, she gets to stretch her legs and we both love rivers.

We are moored up at Upton-upon-Severn.
The town is a busy town with some beautiful buildings. The road layout though is hectic and it is always busy.

Love this garage.

The town has a long history and well worth a visit.
Our day ended with beers on the back counter, lots of laughter and fun.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 48: Short hop.

Hello Friends and Followers.

Life throws curve balls your way and then follows it up with a massive shock. Sadly a good boating buddy passed away a couple of days ago at the age of 57 years old. To say the boating community that knew him are shocked is an understatement. We all think we are invincible in reality life is fragile and none of us knows when our life clock will stop ticking. Our heartfelt love and thoughts go out to his wife, family and friends.

Today we said "Cheerio" to Droitwich Spa.

We headed back down the Barge Canal with friends Carole and Adrian on Rypeck.

It was a chilly start to the day with a bit of a breeze, but the sun did shine now and again.

Working the locks with company is always nice and makes life so much easier.

We stopped at 11.50 am above Hawford Top Lock, so we are ready for the River Severn tomorrow.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 47. And relax.

Hello Friends and Followers.

Wow what a time we have had. Sorry I have not posted for a few days, but what with the festival going on and then taking everything down, it has been somewhat manic.

On Saturday I climbed to the top of St. Augustine's Church tower. The panoramic view was incredible and I for  good photograph of the festival site. The weather was glorious.
We were so well looked after as volunteers and we cannot thank the team for looking after us so well.

On Sunday Scorpio bought salt back to Droitwich, which was very exciting. Planning has gone into building a new brine pool at the Lido, so hopefully that will get the go ahead.

On Monday we had the pleasure in photographing the dog show which was won by the English Pointer. He was a very handsome chap.

Merlin was my favourite puppy though. He was so very cute. (Do not tell Paddy).
I can honestly say we had the best time ever and will definitely do it again. I took so many photographs, and I cannot possibly post them all. But I will say if you get the chance to come to this festival, please do it. You will not be disappointed.

Day 41. The Festival begins.

Hello Friends and Followers.

After an exhausting day yesterday, we had a fantastic night in the pub with a cottage pie dinner and a couple of pints. To say I was more than ready for my bed was an understatement and I slept so well.
Awake at 6.10am when the first train came through, it was time for a brew and a natter about yesterday's events and what would be happening today.
Having sorted out the animals and closed the boat up, we headed for HQ for instructions on the days events. I was helping with the washing of the tables and chairs, but before we could even contemplate that task, we had to unload them from the van. Keith got on with putting up more tents and we had a couple of coffee breaks in between. I heard from a neighbour that the gentleman who was pulled over by his dog, had broken his hip, so I went into town to buy a card, which we will all sign. Hopefully he will make a full recovery. having done the tables and chairs Carole and I went to get the baked potatoes, which we would be having for dinner. We washed, pricked them and put them in the oven to cook. Paddy the site manager had made a pot of Sausage and Bean Chilli and a Chicken dish, which would be poured onto the potatoes once cooked. I made three trips in all into the town and by mid-afternoon my knees were shot. The site was really taking shape and people were arriving with their stalls etc. The main marque was finished, so the music for the evening could take place. Come 4.30pm the potatoes were finally cooked and so Carole and I dished up dinner for everyone in the tea tent. Just around 5.30pm we got back to the boat to feed mog and dog and to run the generator for an hour.

Come 7.30pm, we walked back to the site, where the music was beginning and the beer was flowing. Meet on the Ledge were tonight's band. By 10pm the site was heaving with people and the bar full. It was time for us to head home and have a last coffee, before trekking off to bed. We have a long day tomorrow.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 40: Shattered but content.

Hello Friends and Followers.

Wow what a busy old time we are having.

We are as you know doing the Droitwich Festival and offered our help with the setting up of the festival site. Unless you have done this, you will never know just how much goes into setting up a festival. we have done quite a few and it never ceases to amaze me how hard people work and how essential Volunteers are to making the event a success.
Today we have done our second full day of helping and we are both feeling shattered. Yesterday was very wet in the morning, whilst putting up the marques. But once you are wet it is fine and with the company all in the same situation, you make the most of it. The Gardeners pub supplied us with Sausage and Bacon Sandwiches around lunch time and there was plenty of tea and coffee on the go from the workers tent. Once the Marques were up, it was then a matter of sorting out the security fencing and unloading vans here, there and everywhere. The evening was spent in The Gardeners, where the chef made us all a Chicken Curry. Not having to cook is a bonus. It was washed down with a couple of pints which really did hit the spot. I am not sure it will do much or my waistline, but who cares, we are having a wonderful time. We both slept like babies.
This morning no sign of the rain which had swollen the river Salwarpe yesterday and the river had come down by a few inches. Today's tasks were to stack more security fencing and put some up for the four degrees. That is what the four lady volunteers are calling ourselves.After lunch we were down to the three degrees. Unfortunately one of the locals walking his dog, was pulled over by said dog and hurt his hip, so we had to get him an ambulance. The gentleman's neighbour was going to look after the dog, but she just wanted to be with her owner,  and with no lead, I had to lead her with her jacket to the neighbours house because she would not go with him. Hopefully the gentleman will be alright. Sausage and Bacon Sandwiches were delivered to the site from the pub again and you have never seen people gather so fast for food and drinks. After a break Sue off of NB Aimee and I were tasked with delivering programs to all the shops and businesses in Droitwich, this took two trips. By the time we got back we needed a coffee. I then got on with doing the boaters packs. Keith was all over the site helping out, which included putting up another marque and doing whatever needed doing on site. By the time it got to 4pm I was feeling like I needed to put my feet up for a while. The generator was put on to charge the batteries, mog and dog fed and we will be relaxing for a while.

Pop back soon xxx