We simply got wet.

This morning the weather forecast was horrid but for tomorrow.  
The problem was that I wanted to spend a day in Tewkesbury, at least a day, I could probably fill three easy.
But..
So by some kind of a compromise David suggested a visit to the Abbey at its opening time of 8:30, So we belted up there on bikes and did a tour quickly on our own.  Sadly the Abbey have no Tour Guides at the moment, the lady in the shop explained that their guides were all getting a bit long in the tooth and no younger volunteers available.   Its such a shame but volunteers are thin on the ground in all aspects of our society today.
So here are a few shots of Tewkesbury.

Medieval buildings a plenty. 

Wow just look at those Norman pillars.

Beautiful abbey, see the clouds coming our way?

This is so touching, a carved cross from the abbey's construction in the entrance, its worn smooth with fingers touching it, mine with them. 

We had met and invited NB Cleddau's Sue & Ken around for coffee at about 10am but it was clear both boats had the same idea, which was to flee, The Cleddau's south and us to the north.  I heard later that they had to face the wind and rain in the faces all the way whereas it blew us along. Sorry guys.

Both crews took about 15 minutes to get fully kitted out in wet weather gear, waterproof feet, hats and life-jackets on.

Next time both instead we hope.

So with the rain already falling, we all departed.  The Cleddau's first with another shorter boat sharing the lock and us following on needing the lock to ourselves.

Out of Tewkesbury lock and onto a wee branch taking you to the Severn proper.

Old warehouses just crying out for development.

We turned right for Worcester

Under the M5.

Restoration project anyone?

Well I wouldn't be relaxed this low in the water

Upton-Upon-Severn, a possible stop, but having just got into all this wet weather gear, we decided to just carry on.

These three swans took off right in front of WaL.

We arrived at Worcester lock, the traffic lights were on red.  It stayed on red so long that I wondered if he had actually seen us.  David repositioned WaL  so that the Lock Keeper could easily see us.  

Then ever so slowly they opened.   Now I was surprised to see the boat, looked a bit like a lifeboat from the Titanic, the rowers had Disney rain-capes on.  

Pretty heavy rain now settling in I called over where were they headed for  "Stratford" they said, I laughed as I thought they were joking but no, off down the Severn they went.

Bit surprised to see this.

Without a life jacket in sight.  

Our turn in the lock.

 Out the lock and there was a nice empty floating pontoon almost empty.  Moored up, kettle on but David decided to stay outside to scrub the cratch cover which he likes to do in a downpour, well he got that alright.
Cratch cover looks good though.

He was dry underneath all that.

Supper was scrambled eggs on toast with roasted tomatoes and avocados mashed in chilli sauce.