Gloucester dock and Yep! another rescue!!!

 Yippee we made it. Such a relief to get into Gloucester lock. The communication system between the lock keeper and us worked beautifully. We phoned the lock keeper on leaving Ashleyworth Court (Boat Inn) then again at the railway bridges. It was all go with the gates open and ready for a speedy entry. I needn't have fretted about either the river levels or the flow past the lock. We kept to the wall and put the power on and shot into the lock like a cork coming out of a champagne bottle!!! Plenty of length for us to stop but trying to grab the chains was interesting and not easy.  Still we did it and here are some piccys to show for it.

Leaving Ashley court and Boat Inn moorings. I should mention that this pontoon is NOT a floating pontoon so only moor if you know the river levels will be okay. We were lucky and checking river levels in advance made the difference.

This is called the Partings and not the fork. Phone the lock keeper from here.

Channel narrows to almost canal size. Met this narrowboat style tug leaving Gloucester which meant the lock was with us.

Passing under the railway bridge where the next phone call was made.

Head for the wall and stay close

Chains to hold onto if the lock is against (red light on) but tie stern rope first.

I panicked a bit when I saw the red light was on.

But the lock keeper knew we were coming and opened the gates straight away. The main channel runs round to the right. Now you can see why you need to keep left.

Half way up and paddles open fully. Hang on tight!!!!

Couldn't resist taking this from the lock side mirror.

Entering Gloucester dock. Pontoon moorings (48 hours) are to the left

Nb Lucy heading for the lock having gone through the open lift bridge. All lift bridges are controlled by bridge keepers.

 In fact the most challenging part of today was trying to get onto the finger pontoons. The wind was NOT in our favour and we both struggled with ropes to hold FS in. Got the stern rope attached and between us we heaved on the center rope to bring the bow round. Made a right mess of the gunwale where the point of the pontoon scrapped all along it.

So......... first we rescued ducklings! Then we rescued a cat and now it's a Seagull!!! Well we didnt rescue the Gull and we didnt actually get to see the outcome but it all happened on our way back to FS after exploring Worcester. These photos will tell the tale.

Unfortunately the men didn't have the right equipment with them. The roof was tiled and unstable so they had to leave the bird and head back to base to get the correct roof ladders. Not sure what has happened but they did assure the public that they would be back. Will let you know tomorrow as we plan to stay another day. There appears to be loads to do in this city so an early start me thinks. May just be a photo blog tomorrow as we hope to visit the Cathedral, dock, nature reserve and museums. Blimey!!! Will we do it all in one day????