To Gloucester and beyond - Friday 12th April

8 miles to Gloucester where I make sure the stove stays warm whilst the crew go for victuals from a canal side Sainsburys.

Moored behind us I find the 'Hereford Bull', a replica trow built for the Queen's Jubilee Thames pageant last year.  I think this would be a more fitting means of transport for a dog of my regal standing - rowed by a team of flunkies?

In the background you can see the masts of old wooden sailing vessels being repaired at Tommi Nielsen,s world renowned repair yard.

Getting started

Mister Fudge Goes East

This week as the weather finally starts to warm up I have decided that my royal barge will take me eastwards to meet my courtiers in Whittlesey.

My crew have already started packing my many necessities for the forthcoming voyage. I have chosen a route from our base at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Saul Junction

191 miles and 168 locks - I hope my crew are up to it.  They tend to take it easy and spend a bit too much from the ship's purse..........I may have to resort to the cat of 9 tails to encourage them.

Here I am supervising locking up the Bratch on the Staffs and Worcs Canal a couple of years ago