Wonder what the Police are searching for? And Sharpness part 1

The sun shone, the wind had dropped, what a glorious day for a cruise. We slipped away from the pontoon by 9.15am, phoned the bridge keeper to let him know we were on our way and within minutes the traffic was stopped and the bridge lifted. We had been told yesterday by the lock keeper not to upset the bridge keepers by jumping a flashing red light. It is frowned upon and we would be severely reprimanded! 'Wait for the green light' he said.!!! As we had no intention of going on the naughty step we complied!

The facilities are to the right of the lift bridge and with the size of the lift bridge wall jutting out into the canal, we found it easier to wind and come onto the pontoon forward. Trying to reverse onto it would have needed a bit of skill and patience and neither of us wanted to show ourselves up in public.

The tap was sooooo slow so I sat on at the stern  twiddling my thumbs waiting for the gauge to read full. Noticed this rescue vessel came under the bridge with no need to lift it. Would have been a bit OTT if it had!

Then at Hempsted Swing bridge we saw them again. On the bank a chap with his grappling hook was trying his hand at finding something. As we drew nearer I noticed the police car by the bridge. Hope it was nothing sinister like a body he was trying to find! Ian reckoned the canal would have been cordoned off it it had been. I was desperate to ask but thought better of it, so now I will never know.

 The Gloucester and Sharpness, what a wonderful canal to cruise. It is wide, deep and has suburb views across to the River Severn. All lift bridges are manned (14 in all but two are high enough for us to slip under). There are a variety of craft moored, as well as the larger vessel coming towards you to keep you on your toes. There is always things to look at and photograph and I have now officially marked it down as my second most favourite canal. (Macclesfield being my number 1) Having taken loads of photos, too many to put on this blog, showing our epic walk to Sharpness and the sea lock, these I will put on tomorrows post. The weather is due to turn wet, cold and windy again so we will stay tomorrow and move off to Slimbridge on Friday.

Bollards line the length of this canal. All are on the other side of the towpath so cant be moored to without tripping up the odd walker or cyclist

Coming into Sharpness. Moor to the right past the bridge support.

One of the Purton Hulks we think

Fab mooring with splendid views of the Severn. Shame we wont be here when the Severn Bore comes past. It's due around the 20th.