Saturday 8th September. Upton on Severn to Twyning (via Tewkesbury) on the River Avon. 8 Miles, 1 lock onto the River Avon.

It dawned grey which quickly turned to drizzle. We took the dogs for their morning walk, Finlay walking easier thank goodness. He had a shortened walk and I brought him back through the town centre – a little angel on the lead! Even by 8am on a Saturday morning the town was bustling with café’s open and occupied!

Upton Pub Row! Captain Peggy’s foul weather gear. She never deserts her tiller!

Back to breakfast on the boat and then set off for Tewkesbury, 6 miles down the River Severn which we would be glad to leave. By the time we neared Tewkesbury the rain was easing. We knew from our pilot we had to give a wide turn left onto the Avon because of a sand bar – no problem as we nearly overshot the junction because the signage was buried in trees! We found it in time and turned onto the lower Avon and saw the pontoon for the lock which would go up onto the Avon Navigation – a very big lock with a nice friendly lock keeper! We had to buy a seven day permit for the river here and meet Rachael (with her dog George) who were joining us for the day. And, of course, fill with water. It was so nice to see Rachael, my niece from Australia, and meet George for the first time. We headed out of Tewkesbury going through King John’s Bridge, narrow and with obstructed visibility, shades of things to come! By now the sun was out and we were progressing along past all the big plastic launches. We then encountered Tewkesbury Sailing Club out for Saturday racing…………………very interesting trying to navigate past the dinghies!!

We reached our destination, The Fleet Inn, Twyning at around 1pm and moored easily on an empty pontoon. The pub was nice, good Wadsworth Beer and huge garden. Two pints later and a cooked lunch and two more boats had joined us on the pontoon which meant it was now full. We then walked with Rachael and the three dogs through the fields to Tewkesbury where her car was parked.

She brought me and Finlay back to Twyning while Chris walked with Peggy back through the fields. Such nice day!!