Brompton ride along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, part 1

Monday 26th February 2024:
Yes - at last I've got the Brompton out again! After months of being a wimp, put off by the weather, I finally took the plunge, drove to Chepstow, got the train to Gloucester, and unfolded the bike, before riding approx. 6 miles down the canal towards Sharpness.
Lovely fine day (best day of the week by far, as it turned out), although quite breezy and still quite cold. The towpath was fabulous for several miles and I was lucky to see one of the big swing bridges being opened for a narrowboat to go through, just as I was passing.
It's an awesome canal - really huge! There's no comparison with the tiny Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal - although that has a unique charm all of its own of course.
Sadly, the towpath degenerated into a muddy track after a while, and I had no option but to push the bike - for at least a mile. I got as far as Parkend Swing Bridge, where I crossed over the canal and found a road heading back into Gloucester. I managed to rejoin the canal nearer to the city, so finished off the ride on the same excellent towpath.
The canal is around 16 miles long, so I have another 10 left to do. Next time, after we've had some dry weather and the towpath is likely to be better, I will start the ride from the Sharpness end, and hopefully get up to Parkend. I have not been to Sharpness before, but it looks interesting on the UA-cam videos that others have done. I'm looking forward to doing that - so keep your fingers crossed that the awful, ever-changing weather that we've been having, settles down very soon!
Hope you enjoy this video!
Cheers,
Jeff
By the way, if you do enjoy the video, then please consider subscribing - it really helps me to grow the channel!
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
/ @gladysthenarrowboat