Arrived on site, only 3 other units were there, not surprising since we we arrived 30 mins after site open by Pam & Russ.
Settled in, as always I tried to find a local internet signal
As always I never can and have to revert to my EE provider on my I Pad.
As always a very poor signal.
Suppose I must accept that considering we are normally camped in the middle of a field somewhere Internet providers only direct their signal transmissions to highly populated areas.
Chatting to Mark Griffiths we commented on a trio of people walking across the field.
They were unusual due to the Fact the male was dressed in a pale blue boiler suit a woolly hat and a huge haversack on his back.They were all carrying bottles of water in their hand and marching in the direction I was intending to go.
Leaving Mark I trudged off across the field with Marley (my dog)on a lead.
I came to the Maritime Memorial where there was a new road surface laid leading to the Severn Area Rescue Association(SARA)Lifeboat rescue service for the The River Severn.
It previously had been a footpath but now quite a large path made up of compressed stone and dust etc.
I was quite surprised, it had been built-in the last few months to provide a suitable surface for the heavy equipment needed to erect the wind turbine to provide electricity to the grid, or so I was told by the man in the pale blue boiler suit.
Our paths had crossed earlier and we discussed this huge Wind Turbine that stretched into the sky above our heads.
He had an American accent, a strange thin pointed head sporting a wizard style beard and rather tatty.
Living locally spoke with authority but not very convincingly, his two female colleagues nodding in agreement.Enquiring on his quest this evening he stated he was out looking for apples but his normal paths had been cut off due to the recent changes in the erection of the Wind Turbine and fences being erected etc.
We went our own ways only to cross again shortly after, him stating the lack of apples and consequently the large empty haversack on his back.
By now evening was drawing in, it was getting grey and the wind had risen putting a chill on the air across the lake.
As I approached the Sara lifeboat slipway a dog walker with two large German Shepherd dogs running free appeared. Concerned I approached with caution but Marley was already in amongst them sniffing and causing some excitement. All seemed to be well, confirmed by their owner.
We discussed the looming Wind Turbine, being a local he had seen it being erected and the changes to the area. He confirmed that during erection mishandling between the crane operator and the rope team had caused the Turbine blades to fall, if the current blades were the original or not he was not sure, but felt the Turbine should be working after being in place for over a month. We bade farewell and continued our journeys after complimenting the area on the beauty of the Severn with the fantastic volumes of water that pass by twice a day and the varied walks locally available.
Moving on around the lake, two young lads had been lucky in catching a large Bream each, but would be packing up an hour after darkness.
They had three rods each, compliment by all the bells and whistles that would indicate if they had a bite or not. Advancement in fishing. Not in my mind, but I do not sit at the water’s edge in all weathers.
Passing through the Marina and up the hill towards Home, Marly suddenly disappeared through a gap in the hedge, I espied an “anorak dressed” young man who rapidly disappeared from view when he saw me. Concerned about Marley I approached the gap in the hedge. His dog and Marley were sniffing each other as normal but the dog was an angry-looking Staffy. All was ok, but I called Marley, he came and we proceeded on our way home without further incident.
Saturday
A fine day, and to my surprise, there was little wind but the Wind Turbine had began to rotate.
After breakfast I decided to visit the Wind Turbine as I had never had the opportunity for a close up view.
Passing the Memorial to the Vidicatrix, a ship that was previously berthed nearby on the canal and provided training for 15 -17 years old for service in the Merchant Navy. Many gave their lives in the service to their country. Approximately 70,000 boys were trained between 1943 and 1966.
Standing underneath the rotate blades there was a soft sound as the blades rotated, not the locally disturbing sounds I had been expecting. Sounds of the Generator starting and stopping could be heard, operated automatically or by some far control room. I was surprised by the openness and lack of security, maybe a future development!
Speaking with Penny the Land lady of the Dockers Club in the evening, she gave me a recent edition of “The Vindi” a Publication issued by The Vindicatrix Association, in it was an article as follows:
Plans unveiled for tourism-based development of Sharpness by the Canal and River Trust
An artist’s impression of the development of Sharpness Docks
A major development and plans have been discussed to include
“The camping function at the site of the former Vindicatrix Camp is to be restored, with eco-lodges installed and the adjacent deep basin to be utilised for water-based recreation and sports.etc,etc”.
If you are interested… more information can be found at
On Another Subject
Is this the Bridge pictured in 1894 ….that we still use today to get Site
Belto's Blog 