Bloody battles, wild waters and unexpected stories-staying on a river cruise can be a real adventure.

I set out from Gloucester on the Edward Elgar and traveled along the Severn River. This ship is owned by British Holiday Cruises and has British characteristics like its name.

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The bar serves a full English breakfast, Friday fish and chips, afternoon tea scones and bottled old spotted hens. Now is not the time to start a diet.

This ship has 11 cabins for two people and suites.

Usually there are 22 people on board, but Coronavirus disease The restriction limits our number to 18. These restrictions also mean that we must wear masks when walking indoors and sit at designated tables to eat.

It’s a pain, but it doesn’t stop us from making friends through the free-free flow-wine and beer provided by lunch and dinner.

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We are all British, some from our hometowns and counties lined with trees, and some are on the road.

“We know all these places, but have never been to the river before,” Linda told me as we panted on the Severn Valley Steam Railway, one of many free outings organized by English Holiday Cruises.

Mine was a five-night cruise, heading north to Stopport, then back to Gloucester, passing Worcester, Upton and Tewkesbury. Really, great Severn.

Here are seven things we discovered about Severn during our adventure. ..

A not-so-civil war

It is September 3, 1651, and King Charles II has just run up 235 steps to the top of Worcester Cathedral to see how his royalist party is against Oliver Cromwell’s round head party.

In a word, bad review.

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By the end of the day, thousands of his soldiers had died, and he was taking it to France.

But he had the last laugh. Less than ten years later, Cromwell-who became king except in name-was dead, and Charles returned to the throne after promising to be a good boy instead of doing what his father did and disrupting Parliament.

When social distance is no longer an issue, you will be able to climb the steps again and enjoy the magnificent view from the top.

forever

You have always thought that Tewkesbury is famous for its 900-year-old magnificent monastery, mustard and medieval half-timbered houses.

but not. Its real fame is Glennie Nos, a husky that survived Scott’s unfortunate Antarctic expedition in 1912.

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He was taken back to England and spent the rest of his life on the water meadows of Tewkesbury.

His master loved him so much that when Glenney died, his fur was made into gloves that could be passed on to his family.

This is not a shackle

Bridgnorth in Shropshire is one end of the Severn Valley Railway and claims to provide the best Scotch eggs in the world.

Make them to order at The White Lion Bar. They are too big to be a great meal in the 2020 Scotch Egg Debate.

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I choose the traditional one. Those who are adventurous can try black pudding or spicy Mexican pudding.

Bridging the gap

It’s another civil war, this time in Upton on the Severn, where you will understand why the royalist party failed.

They were so confident that they destroyed the only bridge into the city so that instead of disturbing the guards, they indulged in a bar or two, fell asleep, and did not find the round head swaying on the wooden board.

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A week later, the king’s army was defeated in Worcester, and Charlie’s game was over.

Go with the flow

The river is wild, of course, although not Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean.

We struggled against the current and ran south.

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As the river rises, we need to retreat from Upton in advance to get into Worcester’s low stone bridge before it becomes impassable.

We have a few inches of free time and explore more parts of the city in the few unscheduled hours.

Railroad affair

You don’t have to be a trainer, you can also enjoy yourself on the Severn Valley Railway.

First of all, there is a safari park to visit.

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Then on the journey from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, you can find film locations, including Bewdley Station, from the romantic Howard Manor and Allley Station in the nineties to Disney’s Candlestick.

When we were frolicking on the Victoria Bridge, I imagined Robert Powell hanging below us to escape the bad guys among the thirty-nine steps. Just don’t look down.

The word thumbs up

It turns out that Worcester is more than just sauce.

It is the birthplace of the composer Edward Elgar. The cathedral is majestic and there is a river in the middle of the swans.

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It is also the final resting place of the despicable King John. King John is known as Robin Hood. He lost Normandy to the French. His London power base lost to the wealthy baron. After his death, his thumb bone was given as a souvenir. Hunters, they dug it up from his grave. They thought it was used to “sign” the Magna Carta.
What a loser.