We were woken up at just after 0400 when somebody very steadily walked down the roof of the boat! There was no talking and nothing else happened. I got up just in case and as I looked out of the window to see the light just coming I took a couple of photos.
The Lock Warehouse that is now an antiques centre next to Gloucester Lock.
When we did get up, for real, or rather I got up to make the tea and feed the cat. This was the view from our window.
As we were in the shadow of the warehouse the sun was not getting to us and it was quite cool. As a boat had left the pontoon mooring by the lock there was room so we decided to move after breakfast so that the solar panels would have a full day on line and as it was a pontoon there would be no repeat of last night to disturb our sleep.
This is our new mooring with the Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts warehouses in the distance.
We were soon off to 'do' Gloucester and first stop was the Tourist Information Centre. We learned that there was a guided walk setting off from St Michael's Tower at 1130. We decided to take part and in the end we had the guide to ourselves. He was an amusing guide and made the tour very interesting. There is a very mix of architectural styles around the town, from Roman through to the usual horrors of 1960's. There are a large number of Tudor and Georgian buildings gracing the town and Ted our guide gave us all their stories. There also many churches and at one time there were more churches than pubs, and I don't think many places can make that boast. We found that Gloucester was formed as a Roman town and still has the grid of roads set out by them. It was one of only four 'colonia' that were the major towns in England.
We had been for a drink here last night (it was expensive and not that good a pint) and today we learned that it was built in 1450 by the Monks of the Abbey to house the pilgrims that came to Gloucester. It could house 90 at the time. The Grade 1 listed building is the most complete courtyard inn with galleries in the country. (The guide said the food isn't the best either). Later there was old fashioned tennis court on another courtyard behind this one. In 1553 after the death of Edward VI Lady Jane Grey pronounced Queen by the Abbot of Gloucester. It was also a Berni Inn at one time! (Just for those of a certain age).
When we went for a drink last night I noticed this pigeon sitting on a window sill low down and not moving much at all when folk passed. I went over to look and he looked fit and well and he looked like he was paying attention when I cooed at him. Helen was amused! She was even more amused when we returned this morning and when I cooed again he came running to see me. We had another good chat before I said 'good morning' and we left.
On Southgate stands G.A. Baker watchmakers and jewelers. The building has been here since 1741. As can be seen the clock has a chime on the quarter. The images are the four countries making up Great Britain, John Bull, a Highland soldier, a Welsh lady and an Irish woman with her harp. The Irish woman represents all Ireland as there was no separation at the time. In the middle is Old Father Time with his hour glass. The characters don't move but the bells chime.
The monument is to Archbishop John Hooper who was Archbishop from 1550 to 1554. He was very anti high church and admired the works of Luther as such had to leave the country. After the death of Henry VIII he came back and was then invited to council the very young Edward VI whose Protector was the First Duke of Somerset who wanted the young King to favour no faith and to be fair and just in his dealings with all. The young Edward was taken by Hooper and asked him to be Archbishop of Gloucester. As Hooper reviled all things ostentatious he declined. The Duke of Somerset told the King to put him in the Tower of London for a couple of weeks. He soon complied. Unfortunately when he died It was the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots that succeeded him. This put Hooper in the firing line and eventually he was found guilty and burned at the stake on the spot of this monument. In the background is St. Mary's de Lode and it is the oldest Church in the town. It was at the edge of the river Severn when it was built and the priest had the rights to the ferry.
The Cathedral was started as the Church of St. Peter's in 1058. The present church was built as the Abbey Church. To us the most impressive part was the cloisters of the abbey next to the church and they have the oldest known fan vaulted ceilings remaining in the world and they date from 1351 to 1377. It is amazing that they could carve things like this and fit them together in a ceiling!
After our lovely walk we went for a bite to eat we decided to go to the City Museum. We usually don't pay to go in museums but we got a two for one deal. We wished we hadn't now as it was not really worth it. We had been to the Waterways Museum previously but we maybe should have gone to the Folk Museum.
When we had done a bit of shopping we headed back to the boat and saw the seagulls bathing in the water of the dock. They seemed to be having a high old time splashing about and diving down and throwing water all over the place. All we could hear was there splashing. I expect it is because it is a big body of fresh water for there use.
No comments:
Post a Comment