Stroud on Water 2

There were plenty of barrels of locally brewed beer being enjoyed in the beer tent. We visited the Cotswold Canal Trusts tent and bought a couple of new books that we wanted. On the table a very large windlass had been found and was being displayed for people to guess what it was used for, any ideas? When we crossed the bridge to head off towards Walbridge in Stroud the Edith Elizabeth was taking  people to see the restoration works.

 

Quite a few new houses have been built along the banks of the canal, but some old cottages and mills remain. We made a detour into Lodgemore Mill and saw this row of lovely old mill buildings.

    

Some of the low bridges giving road access into the old mill sites will have to be replaced. The towpath runs along the side of Lodgemore Mill where the green baize for snooker tables and the bright yellow tennis ball coverings were manufactured by Strachan's from sheep's wool. They also made the crimson cloth for the Guards uniforms here. 

           

Then we passed out under the stone doorway and the view looking back showed that there is still some clearance work to be done here to reveal the canal.

We looked down into Walbridge Lower Lock where the River Frome could be seen cascading through. Then on along to the new bridge recently completed on the outskirts of Stroud.

     

A nice impression of a Trow graces the side of Stroud Brewery Bridge.

 

Then we went into The Lockkeepers' Cafe for some refreshment and a well earned rest. The cafe overlooks the newly restored Upper Walbridge Lock with it’s new paddle-gearing at the ready. I had a Winstone's Ice-cream and Bottle sampled some of the local brew which was very tasty!

      

We then caught the No 93 bus which took a more direct route back into Gloucester. Of course we had to walk past Wetherspoon’s in the old Regal Cinema so popped in for some dinner as we were getting hungry with all the walking we had done. The place was packed with people watching the football, but we managed to find a quiet spot in the corner. A lovely ending to a ‘perfick’ day out.