Tewkesbury

Although we set off in good time, we were behind several other boats which let the moorings just ahead of us and so we joined a queue. The couple of boats ahead of us went down quite slowly - although it is not easy to work these huge barge locks speedily!

Between Diglis Basin Locks

In case we do not know where we are!

Out on the River Severn again, we picked up good speed even though we were far from the fastest craft on the water. There was a steady stream of narrowboats coming up as well as some cruisers - more as we closed in on Tewkesbury.

View Upstream from below locks

Diglis Lock, on the river itself, is mechanised and simply huge, even with two boats. It seems as if the second lock is not now in use.

Below Diglis River Lock

Alice was in reading-mode and sat down with Mike to get through two Horrid Henry stories at a single sitting. An occasional heavy shower passed overhead and some stretches were exposed to a chilling breeze.

A strange turretted house makes an appearance and dominates the skyline for some distance.

e had planned a short lunch stop at Upton-upon-Severn but the only space available was almost right under the bridge and look somewhat uninviting. As Alice had already started on her sandwich so we all had ours 'on the run'.

Aggregate Barges at Unloading Wharf

Loading Wharf

Commercial barges are still used to transport aggregates a couple of miles along the river - fortunately we did not encounter any on the move!

Mythe Bridge

Early afternoon we passed under Mythe Bridge - one of Telford's structures - and shortly afterwards made a sharp turn into the River Avon. Several boats were already waiting at the lock landing but we learnt later that one of the crew on a larger boat coming down fell off into the water and had to be helped out.

Below Avon Lock

In addition, the lock keeper only collects the tolls once boats are in the lock and it takes some time to process each one. As we were making a through passage, the only option was for a 7 day licence - £50.

The scenery is different now as the Avon is on a wide plain as it meanders around. Villages and churches even a mile away can easily be seen - unlike much of the Severn where quite close places are easily missed.

Coventry Water Main

Alice made some cheese straws with some of the puff pastry left over from the chicken and bacon pie that Mike had been asked to prepare.

Above Strensham Lock

By the time we reached Strensham Lock - and its swing bridge just below - we were becoming concerned about moorings. There are no visitor moorings at Strensham at all. We were planning to go into Eckington tomorrow for the morning service at the village church and hoped that we would find a space at the first 'proper' mooring space at the former wharf close to the ancient bridge.

It was with some relief as we passed through the bridge to see that there was enough space for three narrowboats and only one was occupied.

After dinner, Mike and Alice went for a walk along the river bank - the first part of a circular walk which is described in an attractive leaflet available from the car park.

23.8 miles - 5 locks

Worcester

We awoke to realise that there was a Waterways maintenance team at the lock just below us. Mike went down to find out what was happening and learnt that there was a very short stoppage whilst they looked at a possible problem with one of the top paddles. Mike was pleased to watch as they 'ashed' (with Severn Valley Steam Railway Ash) the stop planks - something he had read about but never seen before. It stops the flow of water between the stop planks incredibly quickly.

In fact the paddle seemed quite OK but they took the opportunity of cleaning out the top gate cill area so that it is less likely to create a problem for boaters. There was a wide range of rubbish - although they only recovered just one lock key! But there was a shoe, a tea strainer and several bottles! By nine o'clock their time was up and they removed the stop planks and a boat waiting below was soon on its way through.

Lock 7

Not long after we set off and continued down through the remaining eight locks into Worcester. We used the usual services at the basin before moving back a short distance to moor on the short term visitor moorings. At least at this time of day (around lunch time) there was plenty of space although we slotted ourselves in between a couple of other boats on the 'better' section.

Worcester Cathedral from College Green

Worcester Cathedral Main Entrance

After lunch we set off into the city centre. Our first destination was the cathedral. Christine showed Alice many of the historic features including the tomb of King John. Afterwards we went to the Chapter House so that Alice could do a brass rubbing.

Brass Rubbing at Worcester Cathedral

From there we looked around the shops and collected supplies for the next few days. Apart from a Co-Op store we found a specialist greengrocer and a good butcher.

Back to the boat and Alice was keen to try making toffee - this arose from a complicated discussion about caramelisation last night. In the end we were a bit timid and it ended up as a rather tasty fudge!

After reading a story from Horrid Henry, Alice helped to make the pizza for the evening meal.

3.7 miles - 8 locks

Droitwich

We were off soon after nine o'clock - there was a little run until the next lock. The locks on the Droitwich are grouped into eight broad locks near the bottom, beginning at the Severn, and eight near the top, of which only the first - Barge Lock - is broad. In fact, the limit for broad boats is a little earlier at one of the railway bridges on the approach to Droitwich. No doubt this was created when the canal was closed.

Wooden Footbridge 10

Along the way there are some interesting bridges, including a couple of wooden footbridges.

Railway Bridge 15 - Limit for Broad Boats

Netherwich Basin has a few long term moorings but there are (had we known it!) a number of overnight moorings which some of the boats we saw yesterday had used.

Droitwich Swing Bridge

There is a series of swing bridges through the town centre, only some of which are normally closed.

Barge Lock from above

A Waterways recovery Group working party were attempting to move a flat and tug up through the Barge Lock and further up the canal but had stuck on an obstruction so allowed us and another boat through. As we were waiting, Christine and Alice popped across to a Waitrose store close to the canal.

Lock 7 - first narrow lock from bottom

From here to the top the locks are now narrow and the next four were completely new and made from concrete. Three are on a new line of canal as the old line was not longer passable and the M5 motorway has to be negotiated. The tunnel under the M5 is both narrow and low head room - at one point we came to a standstill and water from the next lock forced us backwards!

Lock 6 - new lock

Alice opening Lock 5

The last two of the new locks are formed as a staircase. They are - as new locks and gates - quite easy to operate and Alice was able to open and shut some of the gates unaided. For reasons not clear, the top paddles have limiters to prevent the lock being filled at its normal rate. Strangely, the middle paddles, which are the fiercest, are not limited. The final three locks have a lock keeper who was running up and down trying to maintain contact with all the boats - each lock has a side pond and he was keen that this should be used properly and also the intermediate pounds are shallow at the best of times so it is better if boats do not attempt to pull in to the lock landings but pass straight from one lock to the next.

Hanbury Locks - Side Pond Paddles

At Hanbury Junction we turned south along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. A little bit later we found a mooring spot for lunch.

Hanbury Junction

The level pound took us through Dunhampstead Tunnel, rather more substantial than the tunnels of the last couple of days, but still rather tame in comparison with the likes of Standedge!

Dunhampstead Tunnel Southern Portal

Shortly after the M5 we arrived at the top of the next flight of locks - we would have liked to stop for tea before tackling them but it was so close to the noisy motorway that we worked down three of the locks before cheekily tying up in a short pound. Actually, no other boats came along so there was no difficulty. Alice read to Mike a second story from Horrid Henry!


Offerton Bottom Lock

We had thought that we might find a good mooring below the flight and before arriving at the outskirts of Worcester - we might even find a tv signal if we moored in the right place. Alas, the right place proved impossible as the bank was far too shallow and the reeds made the channel very narrow. It took some considerable time before we finally managed to locate a space just far enough away from the lock landing.

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

Kidderminster

We were all ready to set off by half past nine and before long we were at our first lock of the day - Hyde Lock. The weather forecast was for rain all day - and the rest of the week. However, it was very different, a bright sunny day with just a sprinkling of small, fluffy clouds.




Overflow Weir at Hyde Lock

 Many of the locks on this canal have quite special overflow weirs, designed no doubt to allow them to work well in high water levels.

We stopped at Kinver services for the usual range of activities - whilst Mike was finishing off, Christine and Alice set off to Kinver Lock to prepare it. Unfortunately, another boat overtook us and was quite rude to Christine as she was allowing another boat to come up: the lock was already half empty.

This is one of the prettiest stretches of canal and frequently rock faces line at least one bank.

Also the locks are spread out so that there is a lot of hopping on and off but with such pleasant weather this was just fine. Alice took part, now knowing quite well the procedure for going down a lock.

Cookley Tunnel

Just after passing through the short Cookley Tunnel we pulled in for lunch. However, it was a shorter break as we were keen to make progress. At Debdale Lock we encountered a short fibre glass boat whose only windlass had broken so Mike had to work them through. The rock face beside the lock has a small room cut into it. The crew of a boat coming up told us about a rude boater going down - turned out to be the same one that Christine encountered this morning!

Kinver Church Overlooking Canal

The church at Kidderminster overlooks the lock - a painter was capturing the view, one which he told us is especially popular as the boats and the trees add an interesting variety of colour.

We were now following another boat that was holding us up - they spent almost ten minutes turning around at a winding hole and then crawled along for the rest of the afternoon, taking a long time at each lock.

Kidderminster Road Bridge

The canal at Kidderminster lock is close to a new road bridge and appears to make its way under the road with some difficulty!

Converted Mill in Kidderminster

A large Debenhams store and a Frankie and Bennies restaurant now occupy a former mill building. The route through the town is now quite pleasant and there is little evidence of the industry that once lined the banks.

Falling Sands Railway Viaduct

Beyond the town a railway viaduct (Severn Valley Railway) strides across the canal and river valley and a little later there are the remains of a bridge across the entrance into a lock down to the river.

Entrance to Former River Lock

When we moored it was a pleasant evening - soon to be time for roast chicken!

9.1 miles - 10 locks