R.I.P. the Boat Inn

Last time we visited, on 14 July 2013 (thanks, Blipfoto for the date) this house was a pub called the Boat Inn. However, CoVid and two serious floods later, the pub is no more. The Quay is  but a decrepit landing stage. But all is not lost. The house is lived in, and along the road Ashleworth Court and its Tithe Barn, dating to around 1490, stand still and well maintained. Swallows dance on the water and soar overhead. Very few people, bar the occasional dog walkers, are to be seen. 

In the morning, as I was gazing through blips, I noticed the CherryFlapjack had visited Nature in Art, where the British wildlife photographer of the year exhibition was on display. www.blipfoto.com/entry/3274422065544824159
We wanted to see this, so changed our plans and headed up to Twigwiorth Hall, north of Gloucester, for the exhibition. We liked what we saw, very much, and Steve even bought the catalogue/book which is the size a coffee table or two. 

The sun was shining, and we drove on to Wainlode Hill, then down to the River Severn and the Red Lion pub. That looked crowded, so we meandered through country lanes until we reached an impressive  steel beam bridge over the Severn and a pub beside it called the  Haw Bridge. There were tables outside, so we had a half pint each and a picnic, which was  the start of a new sport, as the wind kept trying to blow the food away! Boats puttered up and down the river. We talked to a kayaker who was staying on the adjoining camp site. It was all delightful. 

After leaving the Apperley area, we  headed up to Ashleworth, which I've already described above, and thence back around Gloucester, homeward bound. What a peaceful way to spend a bank holiday!