Courtesy of Gloucestershirelive
GLOUCESTER – SHARPNESS CANAL ITINERARY
Thursday May 26th – Sunday June 4th 2017
Time is beginning to slip by once again (doesn’t it always?) and we are making steady progress in more detailed planning.
We are rapidly getting to the point where we need to have more definitive numbers of members attending so that we can negotiate various things, like moorings in Gloucester, meals out, transport, guides and so on.
Before you say “NO,” here is our more detailed plan for the cruise. So please say “YES,” we are coming along.
If in doubt at all about transiting the River Severn from Stourport/Worcester/Tewkesbury to Gloucester, DON’T HESITATE TO ASK FOR ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE! We have a number of members who are very familiar with the river passage and are prepared to help crew or bring your boat down here – or take it back!
Thursday 25th/Fri 26th
Assemble and moor in Gloucester Docks. Please, if possible, all boats “dress overall” with flags/bunting and lights. We will be a tourist attraction (unpaid).
Fri. May 26th
Evening Meal out. It is hoped that, by a majority vote, (for the sake of our normal club social gatherings), we all eat in the same restaurant.
These days in Gloucester, there are an increasing number of excellent venues! African, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Portuguese – even fusion! all are within a short(ish) walk of the moorings. More details later as choices emerge.
Sat 28th/Sunday 29th
Every 2 years, Gloucester Docks hosts a “Tall Ships” festival, a most spectacular event. It is supported by numerous other events around the City: Shanty festival, food and drink festival, boating for the disabled, markets. Tommy Neilsen’s ship repair yard (the only one of its type in the UK) is normally open for ship tours. )
Monday 30th
Walk over Olney Island to Over (variously pronounced “Over” or “Oover”) Basin .
A guide will describe the restoration in progress on the Hereford and Gloucester Canal Restoration and we’ll see progress local to the basin.
Coffee/lunch in “The Warehouse.”
Tuesday 31st.
Cruise to Saul Junction, (where the Stroudwater Navigation is crossed by the G&S). En route, re-victual at Sainsbury – (mooring at canal-side.)
Wednesday June 1st.
Transport provided for extensive tour and talks about Cotswold Canals Restoration. This will start at Brimscombe Port (currently as found) and continue to Eastington. (or maybe the other way round!)
Thursday June 1st.
Morning short walk so see the lower portion of phase 1b of the CCT restoration
Afternoon cruise to Purton.
Friday. 2nd.
Visit the Purton Hulks, where a guide will describe a marine archaeologists’ delight (and a major surprise to me when I discovered they were there!)Discover them here: Purton Hulks,
Saturday 3rd
VERY short cruise (2-300 yards) towards Sharpness Docks,
Barbecue on Canal Bank, close to the site of the old River Severn railway crossing. This was the site of the Barge Disaster on 25th October 1960.
Sunday 4th.
Walk (1/2 mile each way) to the famed Dockers Club for Sunday roast lunch.
Finally, Sharpness Docks, a tour and Potentially, the famed Dockers Club Sunday lunch. As well as all this, there are numerous places of refreshment, both liquid and not so liquid. I’m sure we can find a few of those too!
Please come along, to join in for what we hope will be a fun-filled, fabulous, frolic! You can find out more about the festival here.
In Conclusion:
We are at the stage now where we need to firm up numbers and boat attendance. This is to enable negotiations to take place with various organisations for the event.
PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP IF:
You are DEFINITELY coming (8 boats said “Yes” at the AGM)
or:
You PROBABLY will come – the cut-off date has to be set for Friday March 31st.
Let me know as soon as you can if you are interested.
Bob Hallam
Cruise Manager