River Severn

Before setting off, Mike and Alice walked along the towpath to the last bridge we passed under yesterday - you can just see her arms poking over the parapet!

Bridge 10

More bridges followed before we reached the outskirts of Stourport - a former warehouse is now an aquatic centre - we could see some large koi in one of the storage tanks.

As we approached the lock about the Stourport Basins we could here a number of fire engines with sirens screaming - there was a large fire over the hill but we could not discover what it was.

York Street Lock

Once in the basin we visited the fuel base and filled up with diesel - almost 100 litres we were so low. Whilst Alice and Christine went to the shops, Mike took the boat across to the service base where he filled the water tank and attended to the usual disposals.

Stourport Upper Basins

By the time he had finished the others returned - Alice with a large gingerbread man which she took onto the boat and set about demolishing. Meanwhile Mike and Christine went to the chandlers to buy an anchor. We have not had one hitherto but, with a little person on board and about to set off down the River Severn, conscience struck - the only problem now is finding where to stow it! However, it only needs to be out when we are travelling on a river.

Chandlery Shop

After crossing the upper basins (passing some unusual boast as well as larger river craft) we turned down the narrow locks - the first pair, leading to the lower basins, form a staircase. These are followed by another two-lock staircase down to the river itself.

Upper Staircase Lock from above

Lower part of Upper Staircase Lock

Lower Staircase and Dry Dock

Everything suddenly became bigger - as well as the river, the trip boats and even the cranes at boatyards all are much heftier.

We passed through two locks - Lincomb and Holt - as we enjoyed the comparatively fast trip down to Hawford Junction. There as a pleasant breeze yet the sun was rather warm.

Lincomb Lock from below

Entering Droitwich Canal at Hawford Junction

At Hawford it was a sharp turn, almost 360 degrees, to enter the first of the Droitwich Canal locks - only opened a few months ago. As this was once a barge canal, the locks are broad but most are quite shallow. they are certainly gentler to rise up than those on the Kennet and Avon. We used bow and stern ropes at the first lock but then managed only with a centre line.

Much of the canal is quite narrow as reeds line each bank - it was quite a sight when we encountered a broad beam boat coming the other way!

Suddenly a sharp shower arrived with little notice - Alice and Christine were setting the locks and had to shelter under a tree. They were walking some distance along the towpath in order to pick blackberries. One of the locks had a rather unusual overflow weir.

As soon as we spotted a possible mooring spot we grabbed it, knowing that at least two boats were following quickly behind us. No matter that a TV signal would be impossible.

Alice and Mike then converted the blackberries into a delicious crumble for dinner - Christine prepared the main course with more of last night's chicken (at Alice's request)

Before getting ready for bed, Alice read the second half of another Horrid Henry story which she began earlier when we were navigating down the Severn.

13.3 miles - 15 locks