Thursday 18th July
We stayed at Gloucester today and had a bit of a walk round. We started by going over to the opposite side of the dock to where we are moored and having a look at the ships moored there. Then we walked up to Sainsbury’s which is past the Gloucestershire college. There are moorings right outside Sainsbury’s so, as there are not many places with shops along the canal to Sharpness, it will be handy to stock up again ready for our trip.
We also checked out the facilities wharf just through Llanthony bridge as it will be our first port of call tomorrow. We returned to the boat and had a chat with the neighbours for a while then went off in to town. We went past Gloucester Gaol but there was little to see. Then we went in the cathedral which was wonderfully cool and tranquil after the heat and bustle in the town. Unfortunately the nave was out of bounds as they were erecting a stage or something for the Three Choirs Festival which is held in August every year, alternately in the cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. But we had a good look round the rest and had a nice sit in the garden inside the cloisters. I totally forgot to take any photos of the inside of the cathedral so when we come back in a week or so we will have to go again!
After we came out of the cathedral we went to our other house of religion and had a great time people watching. There was a lot to see today, sometimes too much! We had already been treated to the sight of a huge bloke in a small pair of shorts and no shirt on a cruiser going down the lock. He was a delight of blubber and a hairy bike rack! Later at the pub a girl appeared in less than I wear to go to bed, her shorts were so small her bottom was hanging out! Honestly, they were smaller than my knickers!
We were sitting opposite the Mecca Bingo hall and at breaks in the games various ne’er do wells, cut purses and vagabonds came out for a smoke on the steps. One old girl was secretly (not) swigging something out of a bottle in her hand bag in a doorway. It was really quite sad to be honest.
The rest of the day has been spent trying to keep cool and chatting to various other moorers. Off down the canal tomorrow.
