Leaving Gloucester we again joined the River Severn and headed in the direction of the junction with the River Avon. It is about a four-hour journey to the Avon from Gloucester dock and we decided on the spur of the moment to moor for the evening at Haw Bridge on the Severn. Our decision was coloured by the opportunity of a vacant mooring on the pontoons near the adjacent Haw Bridge Inn and as moorings are limited on the Severn we decided to have 'have an early bath' as the old rugby term goes and enjoy an evening meal and a few beers in the pub.
Moving to Upper Lode lock in the morning, I tried the lock-keeper on the VHF as his visibility to our part of the river is non-existent and after a quick conversation he had the lock ready for us.
Turning right onto River Avon junction we saw the Avon lock green light and did the sharp right turn straight into the lock. A friendly lady lock-keeper welcomed us and took our £60 for a two-week Avon Navigation Trust license on a hand-held debit card machine whilst we were in the lock. All very slick and improved from our last visit when you needed cash or a cheque.
We paid the £3 required to use their overnight mooring near the lock (other Avon Navigation Trust Avon moorings are free) so we could do some food shopping in Tewkesbury.
Heading in the direction of Stratford the following morning we stopped at the nearby Tewkesbury marina which has a riverside fuel-point for both diesel and petrol with a dedicated service mooring. Again all slick and no messing about trying get near the fuel for moored boats only to be told 'cash only' which is occasionally the situation on some waterways.
Having cruised the Avon a couple of years ago we know most of the mooring places are not exactly plentiful so were prepared grab the first opportunity before the day became much older and. Certainly before 2pm if possible.
Picturesque Eckington Bridge is the first opportunity going towards Stratford with just two moorings. Both were taken so we decided to continue onto the delightful Pershore where (48 hour) moorings are more plentiful. It was our lucky day and there was a number of vacant moorings.
Pershore is certainly an excellent place to moor with a nearby Supermarket and indoor market. New pump-out ( ANT token required available from Pershore town hall, five minutes away ) and cassette tip-out facilities together with two water-points were installed during 2012 and you are allowed to use the large bins along the moorings for your rubbish, so in short Pershore has just about everything a boater would need.
We stayed the full 48-hour allowed in Pershore and certainly enjoyed our visit to a town that actually seems to welcome boaters.
Moving to Upper Lode lock in the morning, I tried the lock-keeper on the VHF as his visibility to our part of the river is non-existent and after a quick conversation he had the lock ready for us.
Turning right onto River Avon junction we saw the Avon lock green light and did the sharp right turn straight into the lock. A friendly lady lock-keeper welcomed us and took our £60 for a two-week Avon Navigation Trust license on a hand-held debit card machine whilst we were in the lock. All very slick and improved from our last visit when you needed cash or a cheque.
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| Welcome to the River Avon - locking up from the River Severn. |
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| River Avon lock........Tewkesbury |
We paid the £3 required to use their overnight mooring near the lock (other Avon Navigation Trust Avon moorings are free) so we could do some food shopping in Tewkesbury.
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| Overnight moorings River Avon, Tewkesbury. |
Heading in the direction of Stratford the following morning we stopped at the nearby Tewkesbury marina which has a riverside fuel-point for both diesel and petrol with a dedicated service mooring. Again all slick and no messing about trying get near the fuel for moored boats only to be told 'cash only' which is occasionally the situation on some waterways.
 |
| Tewkesbury bridge over the River Avon |
Having cruised the Avon a couple of years ago we know most of the mooring places are not exactly plentiful so were prepared grab the first opportunity before the day became much older and. Certainly before 2pm if possible.
Picturesque Eckington Bridge is the first opportunity going towards Stratford with just two moorings. Both were taken so we decided to continue onto the delightful Pershore where (48 hour) moorings are more plentiful. It was our lucky day and there was a number of vacant moorings.
Pershore is certainly an excellent place to moor with a nearby Supermarket and indoor market. New pump-out ( ANT token required available from Pershore town hall, five minutes away ) and cassette tip-out facilities together with two water-points were installed during 2012 and you are allowed to use the large bins along the moorings for your rubbish, so in short Pershore has just about everything a boater would need.
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| Pershore moorings |
We stayed the full 48-hour allowed in Pershore and certainly enjoyed our visit to a town that actually seems to welcome boaters.
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