Saturday 6/6 Tewkesbury to Worcester

After the ubiquitous waterfill we had to make a sharp 180o turn for the lock. One last look at the Avon Mill Stream as we endeavour to spin on the spot. We both thought that Lawrence had misjudged and overshot the lock entrance, but a gust of wind, pushed the whole boat sideways just the right amount and we entered the lock without touch. What a perfect start to the day.

Out of the lock, back onto the Avon proper, only for 100metres or so, past the smiling lock lady. The locks on the Severn are all manned by lock keepers - a lazy day ahead for me, bliss.

The basin at the back of the defunct flour mills. No doubt if we were to come back in a few years time they will be trendy des res's.

And out onto the Severn River we go, it's a bit wider that what we have been used to. Lawrence had the biggest grin on his face of the whole trip as made the turn upstream.

Under Mythe Bridge, a single iron spam built in 1925 by "that Botticelli of bridge builders", Thomas Telford

Did I tell you that yesterday was the hottest day in Britain this year. Today the forecast said 17c will feel like 13c and it did, it was a three layer day for the first half. On the Severn near Bushby

The Malvern Hills, way in the distance

Our first encounter with another boat today

Coming into Upton on Severn. There is a bit of chaos ahead which we added to, going through, not helped by Lawrence's distraction watching the rowers and critiquing their techniques.

The gothic style Grade I listed, Severn Bank House, near Severn Stoke

Past Cliffey Wood. 

Into some more open country for awhile

Coming into Worcester

Passed the bored ferryman

Passed Worcester Cathedral

Passed the redundant spire of St Andrews

Old warehouses with. New lease of life.

Worcester Bridge

Under we go. We are moored about 100metres behind the big white boat

I'm beginning to discover (some of you will think I'm a slow learner) that Lawrence has a bit of a thing for very large ecclesiastical buildings so off we went to visit the Cathedral. No ceilings I promise.

One of the very fine stone carvings surrounding the entrance.

The tomb of John, King if England. Died 1216. The Magna Carta came onto being during his reign.

The tomb of Prince Arthur who dies do few months after marrying Catherine of Aragon, thus paving the way for the acsension of his younger brother, Henry viii. Just think if Arthur hadn't keeled over, there might be no CofE and no dissolution of the monasteries.

The tower is 60 metres to the top of the pointy bits and 50 metres to the platform. As a comparison Greencape Lightouse is 30 metres high. Lawrence climbed it. There were 4 stages to the climb reasonable, squeezey, very squeezey and extremely squeezey. He said the inner column and outer wall on the last two stages won't need dusting for awhile, he was like a chimney brush up a chimney and the last bit was nearly as steep. External of the cathedral from inside the cloister garden.

17 miles, 2 locks, in 4 1/2 hours