We cant really recommend the pub highly enough. Great ambiance, great staff and superb food. The evening was, however, almost ruined by a motorist who seemed intent on running us over on the way back. We had torches and were walking facing him but he seemed to deliberately drive at us before braking to a halt, putting his indicator on and driving round us. Most odd!
John and Louise moved on in the morning but we had decided to stay for a couple of days and I've spent the time painting parts of the boat which were showing some war wounds where we lost battles with locks etc.
I'm actually quite glad we were moored up today though given the strength of the wind and we were thing of J & L who were due to be going into their new marina this morning. One way of making their presence known! How did it go John?
Ater much discussion and research we have decided (or at least I have decided) that we are not going to do the trip down the Severn between Sharpness and Bristol. The more I researched it the more it seemed that discretion was perhaps the order of the day and the likely costs were mounting with a pilot for the main journey costing £190 and for the hop from Portishead to Bristol another £140 and then the overnight cost at £40 a night when you don't know how long the weather will delay you and the need for longer ropes, an engine service, a fuel tank clean out etc all seemed to be a bit excessive for a few hours of being scared s***less on a wide open expanse of water.
So tomorrow we continue down the Oxford towards Banbury heading for the Thames and then the Kennet and Avon.
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| View from the boat towards Flecknoe |
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| The canal at Flecknoe |
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| Bridge sign at Flecknoe |
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| Blackthorn blossom (I think) |
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| A colourful display on a neighbouring boats bow |
One word David...Horrendous !! The wind was gusting strongly straight across the marina and I decided to hold in the entrance whilst Louise went to find out which berth we were allocated. As I waited, another boat arrived and couldn't wait a second longer to get in to the marina, so I had to reverse out as he pushed by and words of advice and encouragement were exchanged. When Louise got back we were allocated a berth in the other half of the marina, so had to reverse back along the canal and then give it some to get into our slot, but managed it eventually. we spent the afternoon watching others have fun as the wind got even stronger !!
ReplyDeleteWe're back home now. Glad to read your post that you've decided to give the tidal Severn a miss. I think it a wise decision !! We're off again in three weeks so may even see you down on the Thames. Have fun and see you both soon.