Monday 14 September 2015

Jason arrived at 9.45am and had another look at the engine - he adjusted the tick over and said we could either turn round and go back to Worcester and he would book us in for next week to have a look at the gearbox or we could carry on, he didn't think it would cause any damage to keep going. 

I forgot to mention that on Sunday when opening one of the locks on the Droitwich canal the windlass got jammed on the paddle so I gave it a push and it flew off the spindle into the air and down into the lock - never to be seen again... (it wasn't the one you lent us Phil and Claire - phew!)  Luckily there was a chandlers in Stourport-on-Severn so we were able to replace it.

So we set off on our way up the River Severn in the rain!!  They always say the Midlands are wetter than London and we can vouch for that!  Through two big manned locks then we reached the entrance to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.  This was an interesting entrance we had to go through two sets of two staircase locks which were singles.  You empty the bottom lock then once inside you empty the top lock into the bottom one.  Once through these we were in Stourport-on-Severn and although it had stopped raining we needed to stop to use the emptying facilities and no sooner had we stopped than the heavens opened again so we decided to call it a day and have a wander around the town which we did when it stopped raining but got soaked again once we started walking!

We stayed here the night and went for a curry.

Entering Holt Lock.

There are lots of campsites on the side of the river - still feels a bit like the Thames!

I just watched this little chap catch his breakfast!

Cottage in the Country.

The army are in town.

Hope nobody was on board when this went down.

Waiting for Lincomb Lock to empty - the last lock on the River Severn.

The banks are pretty high. 

In the last lock - another River completed!

Affinity weir - where you can see the ripples it is a lower level - I didn't really capture what we could see.

Big boats - haven't seen any of them for a while.

Red Sand Rock.

In the Midlands!

Entering the first staircase lock on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

We are in the bottom lock of the second staircase and Rob is in the top lock of the first staircase.

Moored up in Stourport-on-Severn.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 September 2015

We finally left Worcester at 7am on Friday morning, a chilly autumnal but bright start to the day - out onto the River Severn - it's always nice to be back on a river after being on a canal for a while but we were only heading a short way up the river to the Droitwich canal.  Whilst you can do a 21 mile ring we decided to just go to Droitwich and turn back as we had already come down the Worcester and Birmingham Canal which makes up most of the ring.

The Droitwich Canal was only reopened in 2011 - it's so wonderful that people make it their life long ambition to reopened disused canals so the likes of us can enjoy them.  We arrived in Droitwich Spa at lunchtime on Friday - who would ever pick up a map of England and say let's go to Droitwich Spa for the weekend - you wouldn't unless you are travelling on a narrowboat and want to experience all the navigable waterways.

Rob had gone ahead of us the day before so told us where there was a great place to moor in a little basin just a five minute walk from the centre of town, oh and they had their annual Salt Fest going on all weekend.  The town has been the site of a settled community for over 2000 years.  It owes its existence to the natural brine springs which emanate from subterranean beds of pure rock salt 200ft below the ground.  Dissolved by underground springs, artesian pressure forces the salt to the surface as brine.  It's density and buoyancy are only rivalled by the Dead Sea.

We supported the fest on Friday night where they had some bands playing in the marque in the park and Lucy joined us on Saturday to see the market stalls and enjoy more bands in the evening.  Sunday was beautiful and sunny so another wonder around the town and shops then Lucy left we did the return trip of about 4 hours back down the Droitwich Canal with Rob.  Unfortunately our engine is still causing terrible vibration so we left a message for Jason from the boatyard in Worcester and he called us back on a Sunday - we were impressed.  We agreed to moor at the first opportunity back on the River Severn in a place called Holt Fleet where he will come and meet us on Monday morning to check things over.

A quick drink in the pub (compulsory as we are using their moorings!) and an early night for all.

Leaving Worcester at 7am on Friday.

In the first lock - we're not used to them being this big lately!

Out of the first lock waiting for the second lock to fill before joining the River Severn again.

It's so peaceful on the river at this time of day.

The cathedral from the river.

 

It was very bizarre looking up from the river - this car was above our heads! 

Back to manned locks - it reminds us of being on the River Thames.

We're now on the Droitwich Canal - and have caught up with another boat - that will make locking easier.

Farmer Giles!

This made locking very easy - This couple had a family of four on board - all of whom had never been on a narrowboat before so they wanted to do all the locks - very handy for us!

Sharp bend through here - caught Steve unaware!!!

Duck Church!

Moored up in the basin in Droitwich Spa.

The High Street.

The buildings are all leaning into one another where the road sunk over a salt mine.

Inside the museum.

Brine storage tank.

The museum and information centre.

Information stone.

Junction 7 - the band on Friday night.

Enjoying another beer with Rob!

The Romans!

Leaving Droitwich on Sunday afternoon.

Back through the tunnel.

We must have slowed down for about 20 fisherman - not that we could see them until we were right next to them!

Back out onto the River Severn.

Not sure who this weathervane reminds me of!

Holt Castle Tower.

And moored for the night.

Aerial up but still no TV reception - we have gone a week and a day without - I think Steve has read four books!

 

 

 

Monday 7 - Thursday 10 September 2015

We’ve spent the last few days in Worcester waiting for our new engine mounts to arrive.....

On Monday we took Steve off to A&E as the rash was no better/getting worse and they said it is an allergic reaction to something and they gave him some prescription strength antihistamines which I am pleased to say a couple of days later seem to be helping!

Rob on Weston Lady then called to say that he was just cruising through Worcester when he spotted the boat outside the boatyard so he reversed back and moored up.  We walked into town thinking that nowhere would have music on Monday night but what should we find in The Swan and Two Nicks in a room at the back but about 30 people playing ukuleles!!  Brilliant what a funny evening singing along and having a dance!  Steve and Rob ventured upstairs where they had more serious players but were told off for talking so had to come back down.

We then went next door to another pub called The King Charles II which is one of the city’s oldest buildings – great place so we had bar snacks – locally made pork pies and scotch eggs!  Needless to say the evening ended in a boozy blur as it usually does when we bump into Rob!

I spent a couple of days wondering around and shopping in Worcester and am ready to leave now.  We had just given up hope that the engine mounts would never arrive when they did on Thursday afternoon so Jason, the guy in the boatyard, stayed until 7pm fitting them for us as he was off to the boat show on Friday.

So glad we can get going again tomorrow.  

I'm getting quite good at these wildlife pictures aren't I!

Memories of Bristol...

You have to see it to believe it.

I think they've missed each other...  Claire - I miss you!

Enjoying the music!

Big boys toys!

Lovely old engine.