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Sunday 22 May 2016

Tied up in Tewkesbury, the end of the line.

We set off this morning a little earlier than normal as we were up anyway. The sun was shining on the hull and it starts to 'crack' as it it expands so heralding another nice day and getting us out of bed.

After the rain we had a beautiful rainbow and the evening light on Bredon Hill made it look a little like I expect Middle Earth looks, especially with the cloud atop the hill.

We resisted the temptation to visit the pub. The mooring is not perhaps the quietest spot on a warm summer afternoon, no that you would get near it for all the GRP cruisers that would be moored here.

As we close Tewkesbury the land opens out and the white of the may blossom certainly adds a touch of 'colour' to the green.

There is a lot of cruisers moored in Tewkesbury. It must be like the North Oxford Canal on a Bank Holiday here, especially if the sailing club has a regatta too.

King John's Bridge would be very interesting with a good current flowing as it is at an angle. We have seen some of the cruisers coming through that actually have inches of headroom.

We were soon tied up near the lock and off to find a Sunday paper and get reacquainted with the town. The Abbey is our favourite in the area. I was taken by this bust that was carved by the West Door of the Abbey. He is obviously a priest as he has a dog collar. On the opposite side of the door is another. They are very lifelike.

We entered the church soon after the service. I don't think the place was lit up last time we were here and it was even better than I remembered. The photo looks a little blurred but it is actually the remainder of the incense used in the service. Another high church we have visited.

There are some beautiful tombs around the east end with the most beautifully carved vaulting. It was after thios photo that I saw a sign saying you need a permit to take photos. This one from the choir stall was my last. You get the idea what an atmosphere there is in the place too.

The tower is large and solid looking. Later in the day we were treated to a good bell ringing selection too. How very English in a very genteel place like Tewkesbury. We had a lovely scone with clotted cream and jam for our lunch at a very nice place on the High Street.

This is our mooring just through King John's Bridge with the lock between the cruiser and the wide beam. We should have any sun through the day which is a bonus. In the distance is Healing's Mill and Borough Mill by Quay Street Bridge.

Quay Street bridge was opened in 1822 and had a railway line over it to the mill. The building in the background is the Blizzard and Colman and Co Brewery. The building is for sale and would make good flats I reckon.

The Severn Ham that is by the Mill Avon was absolutely covered in buttercups at the moment. The may and cow parsley sets it all off.

This is a lovely cottage by the Abbey Mill with the Abbey Tower in the back ground. We succumbed to a pint and a wine at the posh Weatherspoon's Royal Hop Pole Hotel and I'm told we may repair to the Olde Black Bear later as there is a quiz night.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

What a lovely church but what a silly rule about photos! Good luck at the quiz x

NB Holderness said...

Hi Ann,
It was free to get in unlike some of the places that charge up to £8! £2 for a permit isn't that bad I suppose and they need to pay for the up keep some how. Mind you I think it must be really for more than happy snappers like me as I took my photos in front of a cleric in all the gear. How far is Banbury or Oxford away from you?

Chhers for now, Tony and Helen.