We awoke to a lovely morning, if a little chilly, and Sarah took this fine shot of Oliver still on our pub mooring courtesy of the Fish & Anchor. It was a great place to stop overnight and the food and beer was good too!
We had some breakfast on board and then set off through the Offenham lock, where we met our companions from the day before on ‘About Time’ just heading in as we arrived. It later transpired they’d been waiting ready at the lock for someone else to come along to help.
From Offenham the next lock is at Evesham. We’d been told very clearly by the lady at the Avon Trust boat in Stratford to moor up on the landing stage to the left by the weir, and open both gates as there’s a strong current. We did as instructed and all went well, but apparently quite a few people insist on doing their own thing and make a mess of it.
Everyone had a go at steering, Joel and Simon even had a go through some of the locks too. We had a few little bumps but that comes with the territory!
The scenery on the Avon is really something else, full of picturesque scenes. We tooted the horn as we approached Hampton Rope Ferry, and after both boats had passed got to see the old rope-ferry in action; the boat is winched across by the ferryman on the shore via a rope that normally sits under the water. Sadly they were too far off to make a good photo.
A few more locks and we arrived at Pershore, just in time to see ‘About Time’ attempting to turn around, but actually managing to T-bone the bank of the Avon at quarter-speed. We heard the thump from 200 meters back. We then got ourselves moored up, only to hear a cry of ‘Help me!’ – I looked up to see the lady on ‘About Time’ desperately trying to pull the boat in against the wind and clearly losing the battle as the centre rope slowly slipped through her hands. Luckily I was able to get there in time and lend a hand (with the help of a couple of turns around a mooring post) and soon all parties were safely secure.
We then had more entertainment, this time from the local swans. One of the cygnets had hitched a ride with mummy, something I’ve not seen before. It looked very comfy!
It wasn’t long before Esmee texted to let us know she was on the way, so we lit the Cobb (a kind of BBQ) and got some burgers going. All too soon dinner was done and it was time to say farewell to our friends; we’ll miss their camaraderie, not to mention their help steering and opening locks! The boat feels a bit empty now without them.
Perhaps the next time we’re on the water together it might be in a dragon boat!?