Leaving Evesham.

We went for another look round Evesham. Helen was looking for a book on embroidery so we trawled the charity shops, of which there are many. It seems that Evesham is like several places that we pass through on the canals and rivers. They don't seem to be of a sufficient size to sustain the shops that they historically had as the local market town. People travel more now so go to larger centres. They have built a new shopping centre but many of the shops are empty. The charity shops are good but we didn't find what we were looking for. We did pay a visit to Aldi's after a walk through the town and then back round by the river walk. It was then back to the boat for lunch. We then set off down river again.

 This was out mooring site alongside Workman Gardens and opposite the Abbey Grounds Park, but not flood protected. There are bins at the end of the path but I diodn't see any water point as indicated.

A little further down river on the same bank are the Avon Trust Moorings that are for flood periods.

The banks looked colourful in the sun,

Helen wants one of these in the back garden of our next house but I think that it is a bit of overkill to keep a lawn mower in.

Just round the bend from the Abbey Gardens is the Hampton foot ferry. The 'punt' is drawn across the river by the ferryman pulling on a wire that is tensioned at shoulder height between the banks. Obviously if you passed when the wire is raised the boat would get caught up. There are a few fluttering tell tales on the wire but it is quite hard to see. If it is up three blast on the horn should bring the ferryman to drop the wire to the river bed. If he is on the east bank we first has to travel to the west bank to get to the winch. All this can take time so if the river is running with plenty of fresh water it could be best to swing head to current to wait for the operation to be completed.

The is the cottage and the punt at the ferry. The wire/rope can be seen running through two guides on the side of the punt and the man pulls between them.

By the time we left the only lock of the day, Chadbury Lock, the sun had been hidden and the wind was quite cutting.

By Chadbury Lock the old mill race has the restored mill prettily hidden by willows.

We didn't have to go far after the lock and tied up at the Avon Trust Craycombe Turn Moorings. We were joined later by another boat. We got inside after mooring just before a slight shower went through. Good timing. Macy cat is enjoying it here as she has had a good sniff about in the grass after being stuck near to pedestrians passing and then she likes to stay in the boat.