And so to Bidford

Before leaving this lovely peaceful morning at Harvington, I decided to have another 'bug' walk.  I have a pocket nature book on insects and spiders (purchased from Slimbridge) and I can now identify a wide range of beasties. My mission is to find insects and bugs not seen by me before, and this book helps immensely by explaining what their preferred habitat is. It was after 9am when I set out and, to be truthful, didn't find an awful lot around (maybe it was to early for them to be out and about) but I did get one or two new comers to me.

Green Legged Sawfly'Tenthredo mesomelas

Macro image of Sawfly'Tenthredo mesomelas

Rust flies mating (carrot fly)

 By 11am I had returned and after a biscuit and cup of tea to revive me after my epic walk, we were soon underway. Only one lock and 3 miles to do before we reached our destination, Bidford on Avon.

I definitely recommend this mooring. Safe, quiet and full of charm

The weir

Again there was loads of things to look at as we meandered along this river. Up above gliders made graceful circles in the sky joining the buzzards who were also catching the thermals. Yellow flowers adorned the banks to please the eye and all to soon we came upon Marlcliff lock.

Marlcliff lock

And looking back

Bidford church

It was only another few miles to do before we reached Bidford. At first glance we were unsure as to where the moorings were but river safe moorings soon came into view on the parkside (offside) and a short pontoon safe mooring by the Frog Inn. We chose the Frog 'cause a pub lunch and a pint' was in order. The food was excellent with the average pub menu price of £10 per meal. More then we usually pay but this seems the norm for around these parts. With this being an overnight mooring only we thought we may as well stay the night. Feeling very full from the lunch, a lazy afternoon was on the cards and apart from a short walk to the One Stop for provisions, we cracked open another bottle of Pimms and chatted to the pub clientele. We only have a couple more days on this wonderful river before reaching Stratford and the hustle and bustle of the canal system again. Sure will miss the tranquility and beauty of cruising this river.

Bideford

FS moored with a cruiser at the Frog Inn