Friday 5/6 Tewkesbury Pt.1

Our mooring at 5.30 in the morning. The lock by which we will descend to the confluence of the Avon and Severn Rivers tomorrow morning is on the right.

Justin and Lynden arrived about 9.30 to service the boat and bring fresh linen and towels. They also had some hull black and blue paint to get rid of the evidence of our journey so far. Now the pressure is on - every scratch and rub from now on will definitely down to us!!

The green area beside our mooring which was quite salubrious until Angus Jock McDonald was reluctantly finished with it.

We had a visit from a swan and her 5 cygnets

This hotel boat arrived this morning from Gloucester. Lawrence thinks we should get one of these next time. "We're sure to get a boat boy for you and a cook for me", he said.

Justin and Lynden, jobs done, left us at 11.00 and we were free to explore Tewkesbury. I hope you can see how loopy this roof is

Standing on the bridge we came under last night, looking at our mooring

A wonky old pub, with claims to the oldest on Tewkesbury 

We wandered up the High Street popping in and out of interesting shops. The two highlights were an antiquarian and second hand book dealer housed in the whole bottom floor of a Tudor house. Lots of little rooms, low doorways, beams, wonky walls and floors - combined with books, heaven. We lost track of time poking around until I noticed the owner, as dusty and musty as his antiquarian books was starting to show signs of life and looking rather hopeful in anticipation of a sale. So I purchased a 1929s guide to the Abbey to appease my guilt and best a retreat.

The other highlights was signed Equestrian and Curio Shop, a combination so curious we had to go in.

And what did Lawrence find - two framed prints of fishing boats he had to have. This is the day after his bi weekly lecture on not buying anything because we can't fit it in. And guess who's suitcase they have to go in?

It was my turn to choose where we would have lunch and we found a tiny little Italian cafe actually run by Italians. yum

Thus fortified we continued on our way to The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, aka Tewkesbury Abbey. 

Yes folks, another Abbey, I'm sure you are on the edge of your seat in anticipation of the visual delights  to follow.

The Abbey took about 40 years to build and was consecrated in 1123. The church as it stands today was completed in 1438 (minus the bits Henry viii had pulled down), is the 2nd largest parish church in the country and part of a former Benedictine Monastry. It is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Britain.

A fantastic tree in the church grounds