MV Matilda

Normally our summer cruising would begin on April 1st and I would be recounting our travelling adventures but these are not normal times.

We are safely moored up on the River Avon in Tewkesbury Marina

So what have we been doing since the beginning of the year?

In January we took Henry to Canterbury for a week and explored a part of England we were not familiar with.

Scaffolding around the cathedral and bits of building work. It costs £12.50 per person to visit and no concessions!

“Will not someone rid me of this turbulent priest?” asked Henry II.

Thomas a Beckett was kiled 29 December 1170 by four of Henry’s knights

I rather liked the Cathedral grounds with this war horse

Nice to contrast these two photos of the West Gate

We discovered a Masonic Museum close to the West Gate. I never knew there were women freemasons……… No masons I know have ever mentioned them…….

When I was about seven one of my favourite characters was Rupert Bear and I was given a RB annual for Christmas, so I was thrilled to see this display in the Canterbury Museum.

On the way to Canterbury, we just had to visit Biggin Hill. The first and biggest challenge was negotiating the entrance in Henry! Below the memorial garden and a Spitfire

Above is St George’s chapel and below a steering wheel. You know I love quirky things so why a steering wheel? Answer below

We learnt how the Spitfire got its name:

  The answer was revealed to a wider public in October 2011 with the passing of a remarkable centenarian by the name of Mrs Annie Penrose.

Her father Sir Robert McLean was Chairman of Vickers ( Aviation) Ltd, the parent company of Supermarine from 1928, who demanded that the Air Ministry dub Reginald Mitchell’s new elliptical wing fighter something venomous sounding, and because of the Supermarine sibilant it had to begin with the letter ‘S’. His choice was Spitfire, the affectionate term he used for his spirited elder daughter. 

Initially the Air Ministry had reservations about the name, as did Mitchell, who argued for calling the new aircraft the Shrew; but in the end McLean prevailed.

More of Kent to come……….

We were not deterred by the rain! Set off to do several things, pick up the new campervan, catch up with friends, visit the Archives and meet up with my cousins.

Twenty one Bramley cousins gathered for lunch at The Tickled Trout near Chesterfield. A happy occasion to catch up with each other as only two cousins are still in Nottingham. Well done Maria for excellent choice of venue.

The newest twiglet on the tree: Devon Eric aged 7 months

Helen, Graham, Julian and Mark checking out the family tree

Cousin Paul and wife Caroline. We met up in person for the first time, after emailing each other for several months re the Turner family.

All the Turners were handsome chaps and the girls had the most perfect complexions.

Cousin Ann now 83 in her new home at Saxilby. I can see how much she resembles her mother: Sybil Bramley.

Zita with Ann and her son Freddie

And this is our campervan named Henry (son of Matilda).

Being instructed in the art of positioning the awning.

Friends came to inspect. Lovely to catch up with them, we have shared many adventures.

Newark opinion seems divided over this statue of King Charles. This is where the Christmas tree normally stands! Frankly the whole island looks a mess, although some progress, the railings appeared during our visit! And yes, I did get to spend a day in the Nottingham Archives, but failed to sort out the problem I’m wrestling with! I guess I’ll be back…….

In Tewkesbury flooding on riverside happens quite frequently!

Taken from the bridge looking downstream: No weir!

Looking upstream:

From the Marina Office. Notice the ramp from the floating pontoon is underwater.

From the car park looking upstream – the Avon Valley

From the car park looking downstream over Stanchard moorings:

To give you an idea of how the floods are at present. This is a 2014 photo of the Avon valley with the M5 in the centre. The trees indicate the river.

From West Midlands TV news The River is at a 12 year high at Evesham.

Evesham Workman gardens on the left. One of our favourite spots to moor up. Look below for how it was on 29 July Matilda is in the distance.

Sensible holiday home owners at Evesham have floating pontoons too!

The handyman store opposite the Marina has a flood marker for 2007

Marina entrance

Saturday morning off to do the shopping and look at the town floods.

The White Bear: Flood boards at the font door, cellar underwater?

Avon lock and path towards, is invisible

Looking downstream towards Avon lock from St Johns bridge

Old cottages on St John bridge. Water inspite of wall at riverside?

Our water garden:

Interesting bird behaviour

From patrolling under the bird feeders to catch anything that falls, this pigeon has learnt to use the seed tray (now he has scoffed the seed put out for the robin) to eat the sunflower hearts that the blue tits adore!

So the robin is now eating the blue tits fat balls whilst standing on the edge of his now empty seed tray! Sorry image is a bit blurred.

Overnight a sailing dinghy becomes caught on the bridge. It still has the launching trolley attached. This is the second such happening in the last month!

The view from the bridge

Attempted rescue begins

The tree approaches and branches snap off as part of it hits the dinghy

The dinghy begins to move and has lost the float from the top of the mast

It suddenly becomes free of the bridge and the mast enters the water

It turned over and drifted downstream to St Johns Bridge. Rescue attempt failed!

Later ANT volunteers in a Maritime Rescue craft successfully removed the dinghy from the bridge. Excitement over!

The cabin at the fishing lake became very snug

Eli and Isaac with Great Uncle and Aunt

My sister Ruth went to see Roy Orbison many years ago in Manchester so we decided we would take her too see this show at The Roses Theatre

It proved to be an excellent show with really accomplished musicians. Barry Steele proved to be a lovely chap and spent ages in the bar talking to members of the audience and having his photo taken with them.

Can you believe it ? Two fairs on the same day! One at the GWS Railway and one here in Tewkesbury.

There are not many photos of the food fair at the Railway as Tony was more interested in the trains! Below my favourites; Bramleys and Egremont Russets from Hayles Fruit Farm located about half a mile from Toddington Station

The pudding shop at Upton on Severn has delicious fare!

The brownie stall at Winchcombe station.

High Street closed for the fair

Sadly we missed this!

Some exhibitors travelled from neighbouring counties:

Notice the letter box. This firm send cakes, well, tray bakes really, through the post

And I’m not quite sure why this picture was on one of the stalls but…

This is Gloucester Quays “before the fire”. Two of these buildings are now apartment blocks.

Yet another trip to Epney to watch the bore. The middle aged Viking and chums were about to set off to celebrate his birthday.

Watch the progress of the surfers

Only seven remaining:

See the river level rise, from below the gauge, and that was after the Bore had passed!

The current brings tons of debris, including whole trees, and when the tide turns they will find their way back again!

I had a long chat with the Champion, a very seasoned performer. He holds the record for the longest surf ride and regularly surfs the Bore.

This was an event well worth visiting. I was so impressed by the quality of the work on show and the quiet enthusiasm of the volunteers. I didn’t know that the WI was the biggest campaigner in Britain.

The flowers at the entrance were first class arranged by a professional. I get quite depressed at the staid arrangements normally found in churches.

Each piece of the 100 pieces of bunting represented something significant in that year. The first mobile phone call was made in 1985!

Some of the campaigns undertaken by the WI. Below the Cloisters Each WI branch had a table and their display had to include a chair. Each table showed the skills and range of activities of their particular group.

Bredon branch even had a racing interest!

I loved this patchwork

Painting competition above and photographic competition below

Tony thought the calendar was disappointing. I think he had in mind the original Calendar Girls!

And somehow GCHQ had a corner display

Had fun at the Fire Station Open Day

Notice how these fire engines have different kit

Carrying the body kit

This inflatable house was full of smoke

Sara is a very important organisation here. It searches water as well as land. One of the highly trained volunteers.

One of the rabbits trying to look nonchalant

Tidying up at Strensham lock after pruning the rose bush