A week away in the Forest of Dean, then Gloucester, has been very pleasant.  The Forest of Dean Railway was running with steam on the wrong days for us, but there was plenty to look at and enjoy.

What they need at Tintern Abbey is a few railway modellers to put this kit back together?

The Forest of Dean Heritage Centre was most interesting, with reminders of how in the early 19th century ‘plateways’ predated the railways of the area.

And on to Gloucester, and a visit to Stroud Jazz Festival.  One venue that obviously attracted me was ‘The Goods Shed’.  Apart from some excellent modern jazz, it was staged in one of Brunel’s railway buildings.

Finally Gloucester Docks, suitably gentrified, but with plenty of interesting cranes and narrow boats – and working locks on the canals.