Monday 14th February - Hanbury Wharf
Happy Valentine’s Day, cards and a lovely box of chocolates from Chocolate Deli in Worcester! However, it has been a very wet day and we decided to spend the day sorting out the engine bay and chilling in front of the fire.
We got chatting to the owner of the boat behind us, Gerry Goode, he and his wife are responsible for CanalsOnLine Magazine, which he is advertising on the postcards. He is also a professional vocalist and entertainer.
Tuesday 15th February - Hanbury to Dunhamstead
Today we are going to Dunhamstead where we are having afternoon tea at The Fir Tree Farmshop and Cafe. Unfortunately it was very wet for our trip but luckily it was only a short journey. We started off crossing over the canal and putting water and logs on at Bridge 35 then set off towards Dunhamstead.
Once we were moored up and the rain had stopped, Toby and I walked up to the Cafe and changed our afternoon tea to a take away. It was beautifully boxed with a selection of sandwiches, pork pie, quiche, a lovely selection of cakes and fruit scone jam and cream. It has all been quite delicious and we shall definitely come back again, either on the boat or by car.
2 miles, 0 locks, 1 tunnel, 0 hrs 49 mins
Wednesday 16th February - Dunhamstead to Oddingley
Today we have decided to move the boat a short distance to Oddingley ahead of Storm Dudley. The moorings at Oddingley are open and clear of trees and potentially safer than at Dunhampstead.
On the way we passed two Canal and River Trust people working on improving a culvert, I think he must be a little cold standing in the water like that!
We moored up the other side of this boat and settled down for the night for the rest of the day. We cleared the roof of anything that could be blown off and spent a rather noisy and bumpy night listening to Storm Dudley.
0.75 miles, 0 locks, 15 mins
Thursday 17th February - Oddingley to Diglis Basin
Today we have decided to make the journey all the way back to Diglis and not stop at Perdiswell. This is because of the next storm forecast, Storm Eunice, and we would feel happier knowing the boat is safely moored in the Marina. We waited until the rain had stopped and set out for home. We got as far as the top of the Offerton locks and we were being told by people on the towpath that the pound below lock 12 was empty. We walked down and opened all the locks above the pound in order to fill it before we could proceed. This is the garden at the lock keepers cottage with the first snowdrops I have seen blooming this year!
We continued down the locks and although a little breezy we enjoyed the cruise. As we came through the last lock on the Offerton flight a small tree had come down so had to inch our way past it before picking up Dave.
Dave driving as we come through the last few locks, the weather was delightful, even felt quite warm in the sunshine.
Last lock of the day is Sidbury Lock with the Commandery above it. The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651.
We continued round to the Marina and secured the boat safely on her pontoon before returning to the flat.
6.5 miles, 14 locks, 1 swing bridge 4 hrs 24 mins.
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