River Avon, May Bank Holiday

rick.jones's picture

Organised by Rod Wassell, following details as in the newsletter:

Launching from Welford Boat Station, the options are:

  • Motor upriver to Stratford-upon-Avon (2.5 hours), walk, eat or even go to the theatre![/*]
  • Downstream destinations include Bidford-on-Avon, Evesham or possibly Tewkesbury which is 7 hours away.[/*]

The plan is to gather and launch on Friday 29 April, spend the weekend on the river, and return to Welford on Monday 2 May (bank holiday).

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

16 Comments

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Yes, I'd be up for that. Not far from us, and sounds a very relaxing weekend.

rick.jones's picture

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Yes please, put me down for this one. A nice bit of relaxed river cruising to open the season!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

james.brine's picture

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Sounds like a great weekend. I have sail training on the Saturday but can hopefully join you for the latter part of the bank holiday. I can motor up to you from the Gloucester/sharpness in the week previous and if you're heading to Tewkesbury, I'll accompany you back and perhaps carry on up to Stratford afterwards. Looking forward to it already. J

rick.jones's picture

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Hi Rod

Just a heads up - is this definitely going ahead? Seeing as I come from overseas (Isle of Wight!), I need to book ferry crossings in advance, preferably soon as possible now.

Thanks

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Not sure if this is going ahead, but sadly I will not now be able to make this one; my daughter-in-law has been scheduled for an operation on the 28th April and we are needed for child-minding and chauffeuring duties for the following week. If it does go ahead, I hope the weather improves for you all!

Re: River Avon, May Bank Holiday

Tenacity hoping to come (thought I'd already said that but it looks like I haven't!)

Well, we're still planning to

Well, we're still planning to come - is anyone else??? We'll leave Bangor about 4-ish on friday - get sown there about 8 - 9 depending on everything. We will probably launch ourselves ...

rick.jones's picture

We expect to be there in

We expect to be there in White Lightning, will arrive late afternoon Friday. Just got to re-assemble the trailer brakes first!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Hi, which way did you turn

Hi, which way did you turn out of Welford, we are going down to Stratford (driving) today, if you are there we will come and say hello.

rick.jones's picture

Hi Keith

Hi Keith

Only just picked up your post. We headed downstream today, and are moored up in Evesham, so I'm afraid we'll miss meeting up in Stratford. Hope you had good day nonetheless!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

I'm getting the boat ready

I'm getting the boat ready for our 'May Bank Holiday' weekend - in the snow!! Aaaaaarrrrrghgghhghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

james.brine's picture

Hi guys, So sorry we missed

Hi guys, So sorry we missed you on the Avon. Having traveled from Sharpness and having others to organise just added up to a huge delay. I must say however, I underestimated the time it takes to get from one end to the other! Admittedly we're taking the scenic or pub route but having joined the Avon at Tewkesbury on Monday, were only at Harvington lock now! (Wednesday 9pm). Hope you had a good cruise. What was the turnout like. Did anyone hit their keel on the bottom?

 Hi James

Hi James

we did have a very good weekend thank you, albeit that I am now looking at the weather forecast on the television thinking if only it was this weekend coming!

If you are at Harvington lock you have probably passed some of the more shallow waters but there are several bands across the Avon, depending on how far you go up, of rocky marl and this can be shallow in places especially upstream at Marlcliff lock. It's a good idea to get a guide book. Beware of the shallows downstream of the bridge at Bradford-on-Avon, stick to the right hand bank.

We find it very peaceful and relaxing moving around on the Avon. There are some good pubs and lovely countryside. Over the weekend we saw probably more than half a dozen Herons. Watch out for kingfishers. Probably early in the season but we have seen grass snakes swimming across the river.

Are you intending to go up as far as Stratford?

Rod

james.brine's picture

Hi Rod, thanks for your reply

Hi Rod, thanks for your reply.

yes, we've just arrived slightly toasted in Stratford. Indeed we did see a lot of Herons some braver than others. No kingfishers as yet but with a 5hp Honda chugging away, perhaps no surprise!

if you went through Bradford, you may have put in on the wrong river! We did have a small graunch just above Marlcliff but we had to avoid a couple of oncoming boats. Out of interest, do you motor with rudders down? It gives so much more control but is a worry in such shallows. We even considered heading up above Stratford but after our small 'contact' with the river we have decided it's not worth it. Maybe if the river is a bit higher one day but then we might not make it under the bridges. So much to consider!

A truly beautiful stretch of water though. Just watching the rush hour traffic crossing Stratford bridge and relishing the fact we arrived by an altogether more restful means.

j

Hi James

Hi James

yes rudders down is definitely best especially in any wind - depends on the depth of your prop stem relative to the rudders. It is possible to go a little above stratford - we have been up there but the limit of navigation is not far.

Glad you enjoyed it

Rod

Many thanks to Rod for

Many thanks to Rod for organising our trip (well, he rang Chris at the boatyard! - and also had the guide book) and thanks to Rod and Jill and Glenis and Rick for the jolly company. Photos coming soon ...