Walkies

Hi, it's been the hottest day of the year so far here so I hope you're enjoying similar weather wherever you are.

It seems quite surreal to me to be on a canal in this country and to see more of these sailing boats and large "gin palaces" than narrowboats.

Yesterday we moved to Saul Junction passing this sunken barge on the way. It's being made good use of by this swan who has built herself a huge nest right in the middle.

There was no sign of any eggs yet though.

We moored on the 48hr visitor moorings opposite the pirate boat

and this morning were invaded and surrounded, literally, by sailing yachts.

They'd come from Cardiff, sailing up the River Severn into Gloucester and were the reason we'd had to vacate the moorings which had been reserved for the weekend. The visitor moorings are quite short and we're used to having David breast up with us, but we've never had a yacht breast up before.  The crews of all 4 boats made a bee-line for the shower block as soon as they'd got moored up and then carried on their journey after lunch, with their towels and laundry blowing in the breeze hanging from the rigging!

After lunch we took Chico for a walk along the route of the old canal which used to join the Gloucester & Sharpness canal to the River Severn.  There's not much of it left in water but this section has been cleared, presumably by the residents of the canal-side cottages or maybe by the pub.

When we saw the Ship Inn we thought we'd stop for a little liquid refreshment but it's closed down so we carried on towards the river instead.

This was our first glimpse of the tidal River Severn. It's not suitable for narrowboats due to the strong currents and sand banks.

Following the Severn Way footpath we came to this vantage point which is signed as being a good spot to watch the Severn Bore come up river.  There was an assortment of small abandoned/damaged rowing boats and canoes which I can only assume had been used to "ride the bore".

Leaving the Severn Way we headed back inland, walking down some really pretty narrow roads lined with wild flowers.

Fields of buttercups were everywhere too.

We had a lovely walk, calling in for a drink at the Bell Inn in Frampton on Severn on the way home.

By the time we got back to the boats we were all a bit foot sore and Roger went on Google Earth to measure how far we'd actually walked.  6 miles !

It was the Monaco Grand Prix today and as we were going walkies I'd set the box to record it.  The boys are now sipping mojitos and watching the race highlights while I make the Sunday roast. Pampered pair!

Our 48 hrs will be up tomorrow so we're moving off again but we're not sure where to just yet.

Come back soon and find out.................

Bye for now