Bartimaeus

Being plugged in overnight at Wyre Piddle meant the batteries were fully charged in the morning and I was able to run an equalisation charge before we set off.  Driving electric was the obvious choice with full batteries and sunshine.  It wasn't far to the lock, but there was just time for me to finish my coffee.  I opted to work the lock for a change, and to let Clare finish her drink.

This lock has been rebuilt in its historic diamond shape.  I don't know who designed it this way, or what they hoped to achieve. A boater we met some days back commented on the strange placing of the ladders.  They are at the corners of the lock, and so are unreachable by someone on a boat as long as Bartimaeus.  We always have someone on board so we don't normally use the ladders.

We continued our gentle drift to the moorings in Pershore, arriving at lunchtime with the batteries 99% full.  Clare had brought us in to the bank when I spotted that there was a slightly sunnier spot a few boats lengths further on.  She wasn't delighted to be asked to move on, but did so.

These moorings are a peaceful spot at the edge of a public park behind the Leisure Centre.  As we were setting off in to town to look for lunch I saw an unusual flight pattern - it was a bat, at lunchtime!  We both watched in amazement for a while before trying to photograph it.  I managed to get surprisingly good pictures because it kept swooping close over our heads.  Clare accepted I'd chosen a good place to moor after all.

This morning we very quickly arrived at Pershore Lock.  We have had most of the locks set our way for a while, but not this one.  While Clare was closing the tail gates, I got off to help by winding the paddles. This is the only lock on this river that has a ground paddle.  I hadn't remembered that until I spotted a small sign on the gate.  I then looked up to see a huge sign on the other side of the lock - saying the ground paddle was behind it. 

On exit from the lock, I started the diesel engine.  This was the first time since I'd swapped the starter battery with one of the bow thruster batteries.  I was delighted when the engine roared straight in to life.  I got some strange bruises on my upper arms while doing the job, it would have been disappointing to have nothing else to show for it.

The current was still very gentle and our speed low as we approached Pershore Old Bridge.  The small arches appear first looking like a difficult target, but once the centre span was visible it was easy to navigate in today's conditions.

The weather wasn't quite as bright as forecast, but the tree-lined river was beautiful with the autumn colours starting to appear.  Once the batteries were full we ran on electric for a bit, restarting the engine (second try) in time to arrive at the Great Comberton Moorings with batteries fully charged.

These moorings are another small patch of mown grass by the water, but unlike some we have used recently, they have easy access to the tracks and small roads nearby.  I had noticed in recent days the distinctive shape of Great Bredon on the horizon.  This is the western end of a ridge of high ground that separates the catchments of the River Severn and River Thames.  I have seen it many times from trains when travelling between Scotland and Wales, but never identified it before.

From the mooring it was only two miles (and nearly 1000 vertical feet) to the top.  After lunch we put on stout shoes and set off.  It was a very pleasant walk most of the way, though the last bit was very steep.  The views from the top were not very clear, but we were obviously on the highest point for miles around.

I took a photo of Parsons' Folly at the top, but failed to check the quality before descending.  The building itself is very plain and covered in telephone transmitters or similar.  The view of it from the bottom makes it look more interesting than it is - not worth going back for a better picture.

We followed a slightly different route off the top, following a marked route.  This plunged down the initial steep slope on an eroded path.  By holding on to the adjacent fence we managed to get down that without mishap.  We had a rest on a beautiful memorial bench at the base of the steep part before returning to Bartimaeus.