Last time in Gloucester

The worst of the heat had passed so we made our way back towards Gloucester for the final time. From here we intend to retrace our steps back up the Severn, to where it is joined by the Avon, taking this smaller river to the Midlands.

We moored temporarily outside Sainsburys for groceries and to collect an ebay order from Argos. We'd only intended to moor temporarily in Gloucester Basin while we picked up our prescriptions from Boots. Vicky's was ready but Will's GP had sent it to the wrong location, several miles back where we'd just come from. The pharmacist said if we called we could get them to release the prescription and he could dispense it, but despite calling regularly throughout the day, nobody picked up.

There was a 2 day Food and Drink festival with live music at the Docks so we decided to stay and explore this. The aisles were packed and we'd brought the dogs so were stopped frequently by admirers wanting to pet them. The food was a mix of hipster and speciality products with edgy flavourings. Will picked up a big block of matured cheddar and a bottle of aged balsamic vinegar. The rest was interesting but we weren't tempted by anything we wouldn't normally put in our shopping basket.

Returning the following day without the dogs, the market had lost its allure for us. We love places where we can meet the makers and talk to producers about what they are selling. This was too commercial and the sellers too far removed from what they had to sell. The walkways were once again congested and Vicky found herself barged out of the way at one point, so we drifted into town and found a quiet, air conditioned Samuel Smith's pub for a light lunch and an organic wheat beer for Will.

Will ended up cycling the few miles to the overwhelmed and understaffed chemist in Quedgeley to pick up his prescription.Läs mer