The Journey Home - Day 1

I would be alone for the present, Pat having a bad ankle sprain, so having telephoned the Gloucester Lock Keeper to ascertain the state of the river, I winded the boat (actually winded, letting the bow swing round in the strong wind) and set off for Gloucester once again.  A call to Llanthony Bridge and the lock-keeper were dealt with promptly ad I was on the River Severn again.  It must have been running at about 1 - 1.5 mph because I needed 1700 revs to maintain 4 mph which I estimated would get me in to Tewkesbury at about 5 pm.   The problem with the Severn, other than its tendency to flood, is that there is very little to see but the high banks.  Wainlode Hill and the pub at Haw with its modern bridge are just about all there is to break the monotony until the massive Upper Lode Lock, but then one is almost there then.  No crew to make cups of tea for the helmsman.  A call ahead to the resident lock keeper of the Avon Lock at Tewkesbury ascertained that the lock would be ready for me and he could arrange a mooring (£3).   All that remained was for me to buy the licence for me to be on the River (£50).   A quick visit was made to the local Somerfield supermarket to buy a few essentials and an early night for an early start in the morning.