After breakfast I went round the Gloucester Waterways Museum housed in one of the warehouses. This was formerly the National Waterways Museum but that honour has now passed to Ellesmere Port. The displays seemed to me much better than those at Ellesmere Port. Whilst EP is a much bigger and more spectacular site, the quality of the exhibits and overall experience is better at Gloucester.
After lunch we set off for Slimbridge to meet Pete and Wendy on 'Forget me not'. They have offered to keep an eye on Ceilidh whilst we are away at Scout Camp, as Colin and Anne wont be on the boat the full time.
First impressions were that the Gloucester and Sharpness canal is very wide - it was built as a ship canal and still takes large vessels from time to time. We first passed beneath several main road bridges capable of being lifted, but not necessary for us as we could limbo underneath. Further on however there are a succession of swing bridges, all operated by a Bridgeman. Mostly they saw us coming and the bridge was open in time for our getting there, but occasionally we had to wait.
We got through Patch Bridge in the tiny settlement of Shepherds Patch after about 5 hours and Annie immediately spotted 'Forget me not'. Announced our arrival by sounding the horn as we went by and Wendy popped out to help us moor up behind them. Then a short walk to the 'Tudor Arms' next door to meet up with Pete!
Sadly after some adjustments involving a chisel, 'Forget me not's' fridge was no longer working, so Annie knocked up a lovely salad tea which we all sat outside and ate. Later on a replacement fridge arrived, which Pete and I somehow managed to fit and get working!
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| Fretherne swing bridge |
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| Gloucester & Sharpness canal |
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