Stourport-on-Severn to Worcester.

Hi Folks.

My morning began with the chiming of the Boat Club clock at 7am. I made us both a cuppa and some toast, which we enjoyed in bed whilst watching the BBC1 news. Breakfast in bed is a real luxury, but I felt as it was our last morning on the basin moorings, we deserved a treat. I took Paddy for his morning walk down the river towpath, whilst Keith painted the engine exhaust in the engine room with White Matt paint. The reason for doing it before setting off was that the heat from the engine would dry the paint whilst we cruised. Good thinking or what?

9.15am we left the mooring, I walked around to the locks whilst Keith moved the boat. By the time he got to the first of the locks, it was ready and waiting for him to enter. In just over half an hour we had cleared the locks, with the help of some people who were in the dry dock painting their boats.

Having left the locks the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and our mooring for the past few days and were now on the wide River Severn. I was excited because I have never been on the Rover Severn before and I do love rivers. For both Keith and I this was a new adventure and one which I was going to enjoy.

We waved cheerio to Brian on NB Kyle, who was moored on the rivers pontoons. He is the one waving back.

As we cruised off down the river, I looked back and said goodbye to Stourport-on-Severn.

Our first lock on the River Severn, Limcomb Lock. The lock keeper saw us coming, so once the lock was in our favour the traffic lights turned green and we were allowed into the lock. I walked down the gunwale to the bow, so that I could thread the bow rope behind the chains in the lock, which were there to hold the boat against the wall whilst the lock emptied. Once the lock was empty the gates opened and off we went. I walked back along the gunwale to the steer and waved to the lock keeper Martin to thank him. It was onward towards Worcester.

A beautiful Dutch Barge coming towards us. The river was so quiet in all we only saw four boats coming towards us all morning.

We looked so small in the locks. This was us in Holt Lock and yes that is me on the bow.

The lock on to the Droitwich Barge Canal, which is open now.

A boat we had shared a lock with was clearly in a bigger hurry than we were, and we were doing normal cruising speed. Funny thing was no sooner had they sped past us they then stopped at the Worcester Race Course moorings, so hammering their engine did them no real favours.

Some big boats on this river.

A lovely view of Worcester Cathedral, as we came under Worcester Road Bridge. We will be visiting that tomorrow

Spot the small white duck trying to be a Swan.

Turning off of the River Severn and on to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Behind us was a hire boat, so we waited to share the lock with them if they were going our way, which they were. Sadly the lady onboard was not having a good time and you could see it written all over her face. I had to give them instruction on how to turn off of the river and how to get the boat into the double lock. They made it in the end, but I think this maybe their first and last boating holiday.
Looking for a mooring in Diglis Basin.

We found a mooring on the 48 hour moorings. After lunch we headed off into the city to see find our bearings. There are some fantastic Tudor and Victorian buildings to be seen. I will post those pictures tomorrow. Right now dinner is cooking, so I am off to put my feet up before I have dinner to dish up, washing up to do and then it will be bedtime.

Chat soon xx

Kidderminster to Stourport-on-Severn.

Hi Folks.

A new week and a new challenge. We left Kidderminster along with Carol and Adrian on their NB Rypeck to head for Stourport-on-Severn. Carol and Adrian were moored behind us for a couple of days and we soon discovered that Adrian is the Harbour master at the Droitwich event, so were able to find out more details about the weekend and the mooring situation. They left about half an hour before us, so we did not see them again until we arrived in Strouport.

We said goodbye to Kidderminster and St Mary and All Saints church which was striking 9am as we entered the lock. The sun was shining and there was some real June warmth in the sun.

Exiting the lock chamber we passed under the main road into and out of Kidderminster, where the walls are covered with these amazing pieces of artwork organised by Rewyre (CLICK). It brightens the space and helps to encourage young people to look after their town.

We cruised passed what used to be an old carpet mill in the 1800's but is now Debenhams. Slingfield Mill is a Victorian worsted mill. The mill, with its boiler house and attached

chimney stack, are Grade II listed buildings and are all that remains of the early carpet making

industry in this area. Debenhams took over the mill, whilst Frankie and Benny's are in the boiler house. Thankfully it has all been tastefully done. During the 1940's the Slingfield complex has various uses during the war, including the use of the warehouse for storage of tobacco and the inclusion of air raid shelters into the main mill building, so over the years it has seen plenty of action and yet it is still standing.

We cruised past what used to be Pratt's Wharf, where you can just about see the disused lock that would have taken you down on to the River Stour. The bridge actually goes over the lock chamber, which has been filled in with rubble and rubbish which mother nature has covered with greenery. A work party did clear it some years ago, but time and mother nature have covered it up again. Years gone by narrowboats would of carried cargo between the old Stourport Railway Station and the Wilden Ironworks sited downstream on the river.

Just after Pratt's Wharf I spotted this Heron just about to devour its breakfast.

The stretch between Kidderminster and Strourport-on-Severn is very pretty in places, especially where you see the red sand stone. The photograph below was taken at Caldwell Lock.

What is a real shame is that the locks are all locked so you have to open the paddles with a key. You would think that out in the countryside the locks would be safe from idiots, but clearly not. There are some delightful views along this stretch of the canal. We did have a few boats coming towards us today, so we were hopeful of a mooring somewhere. Whilst we cruised I ducked down into the galley to make us coffee.

When we arrived at Stourport, we moored on the towpath above the lock and walked down into the basin to see if there would be a place for us in the basin itself. We walked into the BW office and were greeted by Graham, who we last saw 2 years ago, but he remembered us and the boat. He was so pleased to see us and immediately offered us a mooring in the basin. So whilst I worked the lock, Keith moved the boat down through the lock and into the mooring. We now have a lovely view of the basin and the Boat Club House with its clock tower.

Having eaten lunch we closed the boat up and headed off to walk up the river, which takes you past the Treasure Island Amusement park, with its funfair rides. (CLICK). There did not seem to be many children on the rides, but I guess it is still early in their season. having walked a long the river bank, we made our way back into the town.(CLICK). We finished up at the tearoom by the lock, which has changed hands recently. It used to be Goodnight Sweetheart Tea Rooms, with lots of memorabilia on the walls and shevles. Sadly all the memorabilia has gone and it is now just an ordinary tearoom named Blossoms, for me it has lost its charm. But I guess it is progress. The lady that now runs it said that the memorabilia was removed because it took to much dusting. The dust was what gave it charm and character but heyho that's life. I think like us many coming back to Stourport and visiting the tearoom will ask where is everything, so she may need to put a sign up saying "PLEASE DO NOT ASK".

On the lock side this darling duck lay soaking up the sunshine, with its natty hairdo.

Back at the boat, it was time to open all the windows and doors to let the heat out and the fresh air in.

This evening we will make use of the BW showers and tomorrow we may hook up to the electric, if we can get a card. The BW office does not sell them and the chandlery was closed, so we will need to run the generator instead.