The forecast had been for a generally grey day but we awoke to sunnier scenes which stayed with us for most parts of the day and only the occasional cloudy patch.
Mike made a quick trip to Sainsbury for some potatoes, milk, eggs and paper whilst Andrew sorted out the anchor and lifebelt ready for the rivers (Avon and Severn) which we will be on for much if the rest of this trip.
Alongside our mooring is the rather splendid Gower memorial which was given to the town in 1888, The main central statue is surrounded by four iconic Shakespearean characters - the one of Falstaff really captured the way in which he is so often portrayed. The statue originally stood close to the theatre but when that was redeveloped after being destroyed by a fire in 1926, the statue was relocated to a better location.
At the lock down to the river the flood gauge showed well into the green so we were safe to proceed into the lock!
Down through the lock - far fewer onlookers on the bridge today than we have seen in the past - we passed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
In the sunshine the river scenery was often quite spectacular.
The locks on the Upper Avon have a distinctive design that seems to own very little to the rest of the canal network. The paddle gear mechanism is manufactured by a French company (Louis Feugier) that specialises in flood and water control gear mechanisms. This one is dated as manufactured in 1995.
Most of the locks have bouldered weirs rather than the more usual flat cascades.
The river downstream of Stratford for some distance has many splendid and no doubt expensive properties. Most of them are (very) individually;y designed. So, as a change, let a selection describe our journey.
Of course, riverside locations are always sought after for properties and several large sites show how other people manage to have a share in enjoying the outlook.
Mooring long term on the River Avon involves being prepared for floods which can sometimes here be extensive and the water level rise considerably. As a result, all moorings come equipped with tall poles and, usually, rings for the boat's ropes which can slide up and down.
One boatyard had a strange looking contraption which looks as if it is specifically for hammering in such poles.
Another large house - from later study of maps it was probably originally a large farmhouse (and may still be so) Comes complete with boathouse.
Another property looks as if, at least on days like today, intends to draw as little from the National Grid as possible and even make money from its surplus.
Some views can be included just because we can!
All of the locks were given names at the time of the restoration that referred to sponsors or others who were key to the project. More recently, after some have undergone further name reassignments, have now all been given geographic names but, because many people's guides and maps have the older names still on display. The lock which was once called Robert Aickman New Lock (after the co-founder of the IWA) is now officially Harvington New Lock! Whilst most of the locks further up were originally fitted with two paddles on each gate, only one now remains - except for this lock.
A large railway bridge heralds the arrival into Evesham. Although the lady who sold Christine the licence last night tried to warn her about Evesham Lock (perhaps because she also lives there) it did not make sense at the time. As we arrived we could see numerous notices but in some cases older ones remain and the overall result was that we approached the lock the wrong way!
The issue is that although there is an extensive weir alongside the lock, the song current across the top of the lock is in the opposite direction, caused by a small hydro electric scheme alongside. Although slightly inconvenienced we came to no harm but it did give satisfaction to the Trust lock keeper who delighted in telling us how wrong we had been and why did we not read all the notices which the Trust have so carefully provided?
Fortunately we managed to pass through the lock unscathed and then continued down under Workman Bridge to the long stretch of moorings in the town centre. At this time of the year there was little competition with us for the space. No tv signal however . . .
17.6 Miles - 11 Locks
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