Splatt Bridge, Frampton, Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Sunday 2nd August
I managed to get two coats of polish on the right side of the cabin this morning; now all of the boat has been done. There has been a constant stream of people on the towpath, all have passed the time of day; some have stopped for a good old chat.
One recurring theme has been the fact that all of the villagers remark on the beauty of the area; it is lovely especially the views across the Severn. We set off after lunch for a walk around Frampton; chatting to the bridge keeper he said that in the grounds of the old house by Fretherne bridge, cream teas were not to be missed (of which more later).
First stop was the parish church of St. Mary, which was dedicated in 1315; the lead bowl of the font is believed to date from the late 1100’s and one of six fonts in Gloucestershire from the same pattern. There is an effigy of a knight from the Clifford family against the north aisle wall; his descendants still live in the area and own substantial quantities of land. The churchyard is well kept with a number of grand memorials.
Between the church and village is the 15th century tithe barn; continuing through the village, there is a wonderful variety of houses of all types, construction and sizes.
The village green claims to be the longest in England at half a mile in length and 22 acres in total, with two lovely ponds. One of the cottages along the green has a beautiful traditional garden overloaded with blooms and a thriving vegetable patch; chickens roaming freely over it all. In a fenced off part were two Gloucester Old Spot pigs half grown, very relaxed and sleeping in the sun.
At the top of the green a cricket match was in progress; the bowler had the most strange action that I had ever seen. He began his run in with the ball held low in his right hand as if preparing to bowl underarm. Two steps from the crease, he skipped the first step and whilst so doing, threw his arm upwards and back before delivering the ball from the top of his swing as his foot reached the crease. The batsman had the measure of him and hit three fours off five balls and running two off the final one.
One of the fours caused the driver of a passing car to stop quickly and watch the ball carry to the other side of the road and into long grass.
Returning to the canal, we found the gate in the hedge next to the sign advertising cream teas and made our way into the garden. A wonderful, quirky, typically English scene met our eyes. Tables of all types and sizes were set out amongst the orchard with odd chairs dotted around. We shared a table and conversation with a man who had been born in Rhodesia and had left with his parents in the early 1970’s. We were supplied with a complimentary pot of tea as the scones were still in the oven; we had a relaxing time before the cream tea and warm scones arrived. They were very good and the atmosphere combined to complete our enjoyment. We waddled back to the boat and moved all of half a mile along the canal to a new viewpoint. After supper, one of the passers by that we spoke to was the son of the chief designer for Bailey caravans; his father had developed the 10’ 6” Maru, one of which my Dad had bought in the early 1970’s.
2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 743 miles – 20 Bus pass uses.
