Tewkesbury

 Today's Navigation - River Avon

It had been quite wet overnight but by the time we set off that had cleared, to be replaced with a strengthening and blustery wind and very grey skies. We left our mooring and made a 180 turn around and into the lock. The toilet tip out was on the upwind side which resulted in us taking a while to tie up in the lock on that side. 

Once that task was complete we emptied the lock but in the process the wind decided that most definitely the boat belonged on the opposite side so we had to transfer the ropes across - a little more time consuming than it sounds! The lock itself was standard but, unusually, the abutments for a footbridge just a few metres downstream of the lock create almost a basin such that the lock landing is very short and tight behind the bridge (which is thankfully left open these days) We dceided that the wind was so strong that it could trap us on the landing, unable to get away down trough the bridge hole so after opening gates and closing paddles, Mike2 went down the ladder in the lock so that we could drive straight out, bypassing the landing.

We passed yet again under the Coventry Water Main. The water is extracted from the Severn - we should se that as we go upstream - and then to a treatment works just to the left of this picture (we could not actually see it as it was hidden by banks and trees).

There are extensive river moorings at Bredon - the large house was originally the Rectory and dates from 1533. From the river there is no good view of the church itself, save for the spire sticking up over the roof tops. It is currently the most expensive property in the village and sold in 2019 for £1.225 million. Well, it does have a great garden (no doubt once the home to many a church fete!) as well as six bedrooms, not to mention the view and is set high enough to escape the river flooding.

Just downstream from Bredon is the M5 crossing where, on many occasions, especially travelling to and from Droitwich, we have tried to glimpse boats on the move.

Just after Twyning we came across a large group of youngsters loading themselves up into nine catamaran canoes (or whatever the technical term might be!) six paddlers plus a leader in each. Most had already set off downstream and, with the wind taking them anywhere but where they wanted to be, we had to be very alert to avoid them. They seemed, however, to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. We just hoped that they would make it back safely when against both the wind and the river flow, having used up a lot of their energy splashing and chasing each other on the way out!

We arrived at the very extensive Tewkesbury Marina. In addition to the expected collection of river cruisers and sailing boats there is now a growing number of wide beam boats - including one also called Alchemy.

The Avon joins the Severn at a number of points, including an arm that goes a short way downstream to Lower Lode, with the lock close to the town centre. The construction work at the first sluice we later learned is to create and eel pass. The Environment Agency, we were told has been granted money to create such passes at most of the Severn Locks as well at this junction. We saw some of them at the start of this season when we went upstream the from Hawford.

When we arrived at the Avon River Lock we talked to the lock keeper to discover where best to moor. By now we had decided not to attempt going on the Severn until tomorrow as we would have probably needed an overnight stop at Upton - Worcester would be just a bit too far. In any case, we have never had the time to stop and wander around Tewkesbury on previous passages through here.

The lock is now staffed by volunteers and the house where the previous permanent keeper lived stands apparently empty. It was now fast approaching lunch time so we waited until later to go exploring.

The navigation ahead - now only to give access to moorings - is the arm that goes down to Lower Lode. The next bridge, built in 1822, gives access to the large building that was once Healings Mill. When built it was 'state of the art' and resulted in the closure of almost all the other smaller mills in the district. It survived various changes in the market by continuing to update its technology (the most advanced in the country at one time) until finally, in 2006 it suffered the same outcome as it had meted out to others and closed.

Although the building was quickly acquired by a developer, no viable plans have surfaced - it will take a lot of investment and parts of the site have listed status. The local council is keen to see the icon retained  and is currently in planning discussion with a new developer to demolish the worst parts of the site, leaving that which can realistically find a new use.

We were amused by this decoration to the river wall - one a number of art installations around the town on the theme of 'cat' - called Project Alleycat.

Next stop was the Abbey. Tis is a truly magnificent building, originally the dominant feature of the Abbey that was largely demolished as part of the dissolution. With no religious community to support it, it became the parish church for the town. 2021 is the 900th anniversary of the consecration of the first parts to be built in 1121. In many ways it is remarkable that it still stands today in such glorious condition having survived many attacks on it, including a so called restoration by Gilbert Scott in 1875.

Rather than attempt a potted history that could not do justice to the subject, we simply let this series of photos tell its own story.

After eventually leaving the abbey church we wandered back along the main shopping street. At the end Mike returned to the boat and Christine took a further look. Whilst she did not find anything for herself she did spot some shirts that she thought might suit Mike and after she re-joined him, persuaded him to make a second trip back into town - successfully.

5.6 Miles - 1 Lock