Rea Bridge, Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Thursday 30th July
Yesterday, we battened down the hatches and stayed inside. It rained, it poured then rained some more. Typical English summer.
Today, after Myra had done the shopping at Sainsbury's, where you can bring the trolley right down to the boat, we moved all of two miles along the canal to Rea Bridge.
The first two swing bridges today provide a sharp contrast between old and new.
Hempstead bridge has the original hand wound mechanical system; Netherbridge is hydraulically operated and was built on the new alignment of the canal during the road improvements to the A38.
We have been for a walk to have a look at the River Severn. It was along a narrow lane which forms part of the test route from the nearby driving test centre. Our presence will have certainly created a hazard for the two ‘L’ plate bearing cars that passed us; I wonder whether they passed? Myra has been scrumping apples; well not quite, she did ask the owner and was given permission to help herself to the windfalls!
The river was hidden by trees along the public footpath, no matter, we will have better views further along the canal; at least our mooring is sheltering us from the strong wind and squally showers. I should think that the Met. office have downgraded their forecast of a hot July and August: I am only surprised that they have not waited until the end of August, that way they could be 100% certain of their error.
The new digital seaweed is not as reliable, obviously, as the old analogue variety.
2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 736.5 miles – 20 Bus pass uses.
