Yesterday, the group disassembled. Levick and Pilgrim went north and Uncle Mort departed also. Just Heaven was going to move nearer to the bridge and we left for Sharpness. Sunshine and occasional short showers were enjoyed but not the wind in our faces. We moored up and walked down to the end of the old arm and disused sea locks where in the clear air we had a good view of the distant Severn Bridge and the wide estuary.
The tide was in and although the water surface was relatively quiet, with the wind this would not be the situation below the lower bridge and the planned cruise to Portishead and Bristol was clearly not an option. The met chart shows another low pressure system and more bad weather on the way. We returned to the boat for lunch and just in time to sit out a really heavy shower. Then we set about the return. There is a BW compound just south of Purton Lower Bridge with a water point and new card operated pump out machine. WE availed ourselves of water and then crossed the canal to take on diesel from nb Stokie at 80p/litre (compared with he 93.25p at Stourport). We moored the boat nearby and walked down to the Berkeley Arms. This pub in a farm house sits right on the bank of the estuary with fantastic views to the north - but the farm gate was closed. Hours 7 to 11 pm weekdays! Returning to the boat we continued north and found a mooring at Fretherne Bridge for the night. Visited the Bell at Frampton. Clearly specalising in food we were a little disappointed with the range of ales, but did enjoy a pint of Doom Bar.
Today - we moved a little further north, past Saul and on to Quedgeley Wharf. Time for a bit of boat maintenance. There's always rust spots to deal with, brass to polish and varnishing to do.
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