Tewkesbury and Worcester

Sunday morning, and we moved down through the town - another packhorse bridge, widened for traffic -
 to the Avon's last lock, ready for when it opened at 8am. We wanted to move before the humidity built up again, and it's four or so hours up to our destination,  Worcester.

A boaters eye view of Tewkesbury 
Once on Severn,
we dropped into our routine of one hour on the tiller, one off. The tiller feels quite heavy against the current so it's a welcome break.

I was driving at Severn Stoke so was unable to record the absolute cloud of sand martins around us, feasting on midges: a fantastic sight. Likewise the dragonfly that hitched a ride on our roof for 10 minutes or so.

We arrived at Worcester bang on schedule, up Diglis lock on the Severn, the two locks of the Worcester and Birmingham,  and moored by 1.15pm, ready for lunch. 
Getting muggy now
The flats opposite the water points have obviously won their campaign against moorers: what used to be a handy 2 night spot is now 2 hours only.

Monday, and both busy away from the boat: Andrew to check on aged parent, coming back Tuesday evening all being well, and me to Tewkesbury. I left this
in the marina office, and anyway it was a good excuse to wander around the town again.
And found  my spiritual home:
(not clear, but it's  'Alison's Bookshop')

 I just loved Worcester Shrub Hill Station!
Anyway, back to melt on the boat until the thunderstorm arrived. Past, sadly, a pollution incident:

And a shoal of dead fish.. roach, perhaps? They had all been feeding on midges at the top. Sad to see, but a notice says CRT are aware and investigating what are evidently regular occurrences.
Tuesday and the humidity is gone: beautiful blue sky. So I decided to take action in the comparative cool to wash the boat. At Bidford we had moored under a lime tree and somewhere or other afterwards under a seeding willow. This had resulted in a vegetable tar and feathering. Despite the rain we've had, I wanted to ensure there was no stickiness eating into the paint, which is challenged enough already, poor thing. Plus the solar panels need to be clean to work at their best.
Half way there! Well, a quarter really, the other side can wait until the towpath is on that side. 57' of boat is quite the task!
But satisfying 😌. 
In case of concern, I was using Ecover, a water safe product.
Then into shoregoing, aka presentable, kit to meet with my cousin and his wife for lunch, in the shadow of the Cathedral. Excellent chat as ever, and great food. After they went on their way, I shlepped to Asda for groceries and chocolate. Vital supplies.
And then I accidentally got something for my trip to Florence this autumn:
and found a shady seat by the river to watch the rowers.
It's a tough life you know.

Andrew has reported that he is on his way back, so tomorrow we get busy up the hill to Birmingham:
Bring it on!



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