Valentine’s Cruise - February 2022 Week 2

 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.

Valentine’s Cruise - February 2022 Week 1

 Tuesday 8th February - Diglis to Perdiswell

A beautiful sunny morning and what better than a short cruise out on our boat?  We have spent a few days getting the boat ready, cleaning the inside, filling the water tank, replacing the gas cylinder, putting on appropriate clothing for a mid winter cruise and sorting out wood and kindling for the wood burner, I’m sure we will be lighting it this time!  Mike, who looks after the Marina, kindly opened the moveable bridge for us and we began our journey.

Three sets of 2 locks later and we arrived at Perdiswell Leisure Park.  This is the first time we have ever stopped here, we normally carry on to Oddingley, but this time we decided to stop.  There is another boat moored, always a good sign, and we pulled in ahead of the boat.  Whilst I walked Toby and Dave put the hood up, the occupant of the boat came for a chat, he was leaving his boat and returning to Torquay for 10 days!  Must be a very safe place to leave your boat unattended for that amount of time!  

We often drive to Perdiswell and walk Toby around the park, he loves the open ground and when it is warmer he is allowed to swim in the canal.  The leisure centre has a lovely swimming pool which we have used occasionally. 

2.5 miles, 1 moveable bridge, 6 locks, 2 hrs 4 mins cruising.

Wednesday 9th February - Perdiswell to Tibberton

Today we woke to a grey morning with light drizzle in the air.  We waited until it had dried up before beginning our trip for the day.  We soon passed some people working on improving the towpath, it meant that the towpath was closed for a short stretch, good job I didn’t try to walk Toby!  

As we left Tolladine Lock Dave noticed that the pound of water was very low and at times he was scraping along the bottom of the canal.  As he very slowly approached Offerton Bottom Lock we saw a Canal and River Trust employee running water through the lock to fill the pound.  Dave had to wait below the lock until the levels were good again and then we could ascend the lock.  

There are six locks in the Offerton flight and each of the pounds needed to be filled as we worked our way up the flight.  We asked if they knew why it was a problem but there didn’t seem to be an answer!  Could be a bit of a problem when the new season starts!  

This is Graham with his beautiful Saluki called Cruz, he was filling the pounds as we worked our way up the flight of locks.  We continued on our way and decided to stop at Tibberton, again we have never stopped here before, but the Wifi signal looked extremely strong so we thought we would give it a go! 

3.25 miles, 8 locks, 2 hrs 42 mins cruising.

Thursday 10th February - Tibberton to Hanbury Wharf

A lazy start this morning, it was quite cold but the sun was shining, so we prepared the boat and set off for Hanbury.  On the roof of the boat Dave has put the Six Nations bunting, it is merrily blowing in the breeze as we pootle gently along.

This is Oddingley, where we always moor overnight.  It is well known for a rather gruesome set of murders.  At around five o' clock in the afternoon on the long summer's day that marked the feast of St John the Baptist - Midsummer's Day - in the year 1806, reverend George Parker of Oddingley parish was heading across a field to fetch his herd of cattle when he was suddenly met by an unexpected figure, clothed in a thick leather coat despite the heat of the day. Without warning, the stranger drew a shotgun from the coat and shot the parson, who let out a yell of pain and panic, falling to the ground. But the assailant, not willing to risk his survival, picked up a large stick from the ground and began to bludgeon the dying priest upon the head.

Two butchers by the names of Giles and Lynch, though, who had been walking along the lane beside the field on their way from Worcester to Droitwich, had heard Parker's cry, and were now approaching the scene. The murderer dropped the stick and fled across the fields. Giles leapt after him in pursuit, whilst Lynch returned to Oddingley to seek help, leaving the parson alone in the field as his life ebbed away. Giles was forced to give up the chase when the murderer turned the barrel of the gun towards his pursuer and threatened him. So it was that Parker died, and the culprit vanished into the countryside, seemingly heading towards Worcester.  The story goes on but no one was ever brought to justice, today you can follow a walk known as the Oddingley Murders Walk!   https://www.oddingleychurch.org/history/murders/

We pulled in at Hanbury Wharf and topped up with diesel, filled up water bottles and Jackie kindly gave Dave a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter for our recipe, Veggie Satay Noodles, for dinner tonight!  

After some lunch we went for a walk along the canal to Lock 19 which is closed due to the replacement of the lock gates.  Below Lock 18 is a working boat which has the old gates and lock beams in, ready to be removed from the site.  

The canal below the lock has been drained, and you can see that the canal really isn’t that deep at all.  There was a selection of glass bottles and some huge stone slabs strewn along the bed of the canal.  The new gates are already in place and new edging slabs have been put in along the edge of the lock.  The canal is closed until 18th March and this work should make using this lock so much easier!  

This is the view through the bridge of Hanbury Wharf and we are the second boat moored on the left of the photo.  Tomorrow we shall turn left at the junction and head towards Droitwich Spa and spend the weekend there.

3.5 miles, 0 locks, 2 hrs 6 mins cruising.

Friday 11th February - Hanbury Wharf to Vines Park, Droitwich Spa

Another sparkling sunny day and we left our mooring and turned a sharp left turn on to the Droitwich Canal.  We were almost immediately into the first of our 8 locks, all of which are very deep locks.

The top 3 locks make use of side pounds for emptying and filling the lock.  This means that about half a lock of water is saved into the side pound and reused for the next boat.  In this photo the water is being emptied from the lock into the pound and once the water is level, the paddles are dropped and the rest of the water is emptied into the canal as normal.

All of the locks have boxes planted up with spring bulbs, they will look beautiful in a few weeks time!  It is good to see that they are being looked after well.  

At the bottom of the first 3 locks there is Droitwich Marina.  We have friends who moor their boats here, and when we were thinking about moving to Worcester, this Marina was on our short list. 

After the Marina there is a staircase lock and I found this little copse with numerous bird feeders hanging from the branches.  A polite notice asks that refills are always welcome, it was certainly very busy with many different varieties of little birds popping in for some food, none of which seemed bothered by myself and Toby watching them. 

This is Ella in the second lock of the staircase, this allows for a drop of 5.1m in a short amount of space.

The canal then goes under the M5 through a pre-existing culvert which is extremely low.  The front of the boat only just misses the roof of the tunnel and we have to remove everything else from the centre of the roof.  There only has to be a very slight change in the level of the water and we wouldn’t be able to use this tunnel (if you can call it a tunnel).

Our final approach to Droitwich uses a short stretch of The River Salwarpe, and the board shows that the river levels are indeed nice and low, so we can proceed safely.  We needed to stop after this lock as the propeller had become jammed with twigs and Dave had to go down the weed hatch to clear the propeller.

We continued through Droitwich through three moveable bridges and finally arrived  at Vines Park where there is safe and secure mooring on pontoons.

1.75 miles, 8 locks, 3 moveable bridges, 1 tunnel,  2 hrs 54 mins.

Saturday 12th February - Droitwich to Hanbury Wharf

This was our mooring overnight, it is gated and you need to use a British Waterways key in order to gain access.  All very good, but it is very dark and when you need to take Toby out it is quite difficult to unlock and lock up the padlock!  The forecast is for rain over the weekend, so we decided to leave Droitwich and head back through the culvert under the M5 and up to Hanbury.

We worked our way through 2 moveable bridges and then a lock with a bridge in the middle, before coming to the very low tunnel under the M5.  The water at the moment is very low and once you stray from the middle you quickly get stuck in some very gloopy mud!  The River Salwarpe runs alongside and joins the canal a little further up.  If there is persistent rainfall, the water level through the culvert is likely to rise, hence making the passage impassable.  That is why we have decided to return to Hanbury before the levels rise and make the passage impossible for us.

This time Dave sat at the front of the boat taking these photos and we actually had more headroom than we did yesterday, the combined weight of water and Dave brought the front of the boat down by about 2cm.  However it doesn’t look like that in this photo but I can assure you we did get through comfortably.

The light at the end of the tunnel, we went through very slowly and once out the other end, we managed to get stuck in the gloopy mud!  Much reversing and forward movement meant we were able to get back into some deeper water and into the first lock.  At the top of the lock we could see another boat coming down the staircase lock, so we waited patiently and watched them negotiate their way down.  We arrived back onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and moored up outside The Eagle and Sun, where we shall stay for a couple of nights whilst the wet and windy weather passes.  

1.75 miles, 8 locks, 3 moveable bridges, 1 tunnel,  2 hrs 48 mins.

Sunday 13th February - Hanbury Wharf

We made the right call, today has been non-stop rain, so we have spent the day on the boat.  I spent the morning cleaning whilst Dave got a taxi back to the flat to pick some medication he had run out of.  This afternoon we shall watch the rugby on the TV and wait and see what tomorrow brings! 

Grandparents Gadabout Week 13

 Monday 23rd August - Tom o’ the Wood to Wootton Wawen

Well, we made our decision and at Kingswood Junction we turned left onto the Stratford Canal and headed down to Stratford and the River Avon!  We have gone from wide locks to narrow locks and many of these bridges that were designed to let the horse rope pass through the centre of the bridge.

 The locks seem particularly cosy and snug, especially after the wide locks of the Grand Union Canal and all the river locks we have worked over the past few weeks.  

This is a close up of the gap between the bridges allowing the horse rope to slide along, it saved time not having to disconnect the horses and reconnect after each bridge. 

A cottage with a barrel roof, these are only found on the south Stratford Canal, built originally for the lengthsmen who looked after the stretches of canal between certain locks.  The engineers who built them were more used to building bridges so adopted similar techniques to build the houses.

Toby was being very patient, waiting for Dave to bring the boat in before continuing on to the next lock. 

Another aspect of the canal which is unusual is the locks have single gates both top and bottom, this was a money saving device, but apparently makes it more difficult for very long boats to use these locks.  The mitred gates take up less space and therefore use less water.  

This is one of the three aqueducts, Yarningale Aqueduct, on this canal.  I am standing on the towpath that runs alongside the canal trough, showing clearly the depth of the water the boat is travelling through. 

We moored for the night near Wootton Wawen and went for a walk, firstly to the farm shop and then over the aqueduct and across the fields.  Here I really am walking backwards as I was intrigued by the boat attempting to get into the aqueduct.

7 miles, 17 locks, 5 hrs 30 mins

Tuesday 24th August - Wootton Wawen to Stratford-Upon-Avon

Today we set off at 9.30 in order to put diesel on at the hire base, giving them time to send the day boats off before we arrive to clog up the area.  We tied up on the aqueduct, speedily filled up and were soon on our way.  Dave took this as we sailed over the road, such an odd experience!  

A little further on we passed over Edstone Aqueduct, also known as the Bearley Aqueduct, it carries the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal over Salters Lane, the North Warwickshire Railway Line, and a small river. It is the longest canal aqueduct in England measuring 479 ft (146 m) and is unusual in that the towpath is at the base of the canal, not at water level.

The same aqueduct passing over the railway line, a valve was fitted in the aqueduct for steam trains to draw water from the canal and legend has it a train was delayed due to a fish blocking the intake pipe. 

This is the final bridge as you approach Bancroft Basin in Stratford.  Up to now the canal has been fairly urban and industrial and nothing prepares you for the scene that awaits you as you emerge from the bridge! 

The first impression is that there are boats everywhere, wide trip boats, restaurant boats, floating cafes and leisure boats moored in the basin.  We didn’t want to stay in the basin, just as well as there wasn’t any room, so we waited for the lock to be free and with the help of a man who prepared the locks for the passenger boats, we descended onto the river and moored up opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.  A pleasant stroll around Stratford and then back to the boat for a well earned rest.  

7 miles, 18 locks, 5 hrs, 42 mins.

Wednesday 25th August - Stratford to Offenham Lock

We left our mooring in Stratford and moved to the water point to fill up with water, then began our journey to Offenham Lock.  This is one of the many old stone bridges we pass under on the way, the sign posting is very clear which arch to use as many of the arches are either too shallow or simply unnavigable.

The river is incredibly flat, very little flow and generally easy to navigate, although coming out of and entering locks is more difficult because of the power of the adjacent weirs.  A positive is that you can leave the exit gates open, just need to remember to collect the crew!  

This is the bridge at Bidford, there were warnings as we approached for falling masonry, and I discovered that there was a collision on the bridge in July which damaged the parapet.  This is another example of making sure you go through the right archway as the centre one is very shallow with a concrete structure in the middle.  Built in the early 15th century it has been strengthened at various times, and during times of high water levels, it is often closed to navigation.

This is Havington Lock also known as Robert Aickman New Lock.  Robert Aickman led the battle for many years to save the inland waterways from public indifference and hostile official attitudes. A monument to the man can be seen next to the lock.  He was instrumental in organising the restoration of the river to navigation and it was opened by the Queen Mother in 1974.  We attempted to moor on the pub moorings, but it was too shallow, so we turned the boat into the moorings before Offenham Lock and had a very pleasant night there instead.

14.25 miles, 8 locks, 6 hrs 36 mins.

Thursday 26th August - Offenham Lock to Pershore

At Offenham Lock stands a lighthouse with a plaque dedicated to Eric Pritchard who built the tower and many of the locks and weirs between Evesham and Stratford.  

The glasshouses can be seen from the river, these greenhouses are famous for growing tomatoes and other salad ingredients.  

As we approached Evesham Lock there were many frogmen measuring the water depth and also a water rescue boat moored up.  It can be quite difficult getting into the lock coming downstream as there is a strong cross-current running across the head of the lock.  It was quite a challenge to moor the boat safely whilst Dave prepared the lock.  

After the lock we came across a chain ferry being pulled across the river, it went across in front of us, then the chain was submerged for us to pass over and then it went across again after we had passed. 

Toby was resting on the new pouffee which we bought to rest our feet on, somehow he seems to think we bought it for him!  

The last lock before Pershore was this rather strange shape, diamond shape, impossible to fit the boat along the sides of the lock, and difficult to tie her up safely! Our Pearson guide suggested that many of the original Avon locks were of unusual configuration to reduce erosion of the chambers by the force of water from the sluices.  Very interesting!  

We were lucky to get a good mooring along the recreation ground in Pershore and we went for a wander around the town and the Abbey grounds. Pershore Abbey was one of the largest medieval abbeys in Britain, larger even than Worcester Cathedral. The abbey was destroyed in the Reformation and what remains of the Abbey is the best part: the monk’s Quire (which is now the Nave) with its unique ploughshare vaulting, the combined triforium and clerestory, and the magnificent tower with its lantern and free-standing ringing platform.

14.25 miles, 5 locks, 5hrs 12 mins

Friday 27th August - Pershore to Eckington Bridge

We decided to travel as far as the visitor moorings at Eckington Bridge rather risk going as far as Twekesbury and not being able to find a mooring and then having to carry on to Upton on the Severn, hence making it a very long cruise!  This is the Swan’s Neck mooring, we moored here last year and had problems getting off the bank so decided against it this year! 

The mooring at Eckington Bridge was much more civilised and we had a delightful walk back through the village to Nafford Lock and back via the Swan’s Neck and the river bank.  Toby was delighted to have found us another bench to sit on, despite the fact that it was just outside the boat! 

At Nafford lock we found this  boat caught on the weir and sunken over time.  No idea how long it has been there, but it makes quite a sad picture.  This lock has a swing bridge in the middle of the lock giving pedestrian access across the lock. 

6.5 miles, 2 locks, 2 hrs 36 mins.

Saturday 28th August - Eckington Bridge to Twekesbury 

We left our mooring early fully expecting to have to drop down onto the River Severn but we’re pleasantly surprised to find a space just big enough for us, after a cruiser moved prior to going through the lock.  This is a stretch of the river alongside Tewkesbury Marina and it reminded me of the stretch of canal in France just before you emerge onto the Étang de Thau, a mixture of cruiser and sailing boats.  

Once we had moored up safely we went for a walk around Tewkesbury.  This was taken from Abbey mill at the limit of navigation.  Tewkesbury is famous for it's 100's of Medieval Flags, which adorn the buildings in the Town during the summer months.  Tewkesbury Battle Field Society organises the production and display of the Medieval Flags. Each flag (banner) relates to the Coat of Arms of a participant in the Battle of Tewkesbury 1471, the last major battle in the Wars of the Roses. 

There has been a mill here since 1190, when the monks of nearby Tewkesbury Abbey had a channel dug from the River Avon to power a mill to grind grain. The channel is known as Mill Avon, and extends from the Avon to the Severn at the southern edge of Tewkesbury. The 12th century mill was rebuilt in 1793 with 4 wheels. It remained in operation until 1920, but could not compete with the larger and more modern Healing's Flour Mill, further north along the channel.  The mill is now a private residence.  

We found the Abbey and sat inside for a short time.  The organ was being played and the sound was amazing.  The Norman tower is visible from miles away. The present church was originally used as the church for the Benedictine Monastery which was founded here in the 10th Century. After the dissolution of the monasteries, it became the parish church for the town. In addition to some very fine Norman architecture there is 15th century stained glass, unique roof bosses and the 17th century Milton Organ still used today.

This is Healings Flour Mill, when built, it was considered to be the largest and most modern flour mill in the world, producing 25 sacks of flour an hour in 1892. It has had, in the course of it's history, three means of transport in and out of it. It had road access via a handsome cast-iron bridge, rail access via the Tewkesbury to Upton-upon-Severn railway line, and canal / river barge access via the Avon. Barges were used right up until 1998, as the mill had two barges named Chaceley and Tirley which transported grain to the mill from Avonmouth and Sharpness.  The mill was purchased by Allied Mills in the 1970s, and was completely refurbished and fitted out with brand new machinery. It was in turn taken over by ADM Milling, but in 2006 they announced the closure of the mill and the loss of around 40 jobs. It milled flour for the last time on October 20th, 2006, ending 140 years of milling on that site.

7.5 miles, 1 lock, 2 hrs 42 mins

Sunday 29th August - Tewkesbury to Worcester

A pleasant 4 hour cruise along the Severn to Worcester, chilly but dry and only a gentle breeze.  As it was a Sunday we passed all the empty aggregate boats moored up for the weekend, it was amazing to see so much of the boat above the waterline.  When these boats are fully laden they sit extremely low in the water! 

Upton-on-Severn, plenty of mooring along the wall, but the pontoon was double parked.  Quite pleased we didn’t want to stop as the wall can be difficult to get Toby on and off the boat. 

The mooring point for the aggregate boats beneath the chute which fills the boats with their product, then they return downstream to be unloaded.  

We moored up on the pontoon below our apartment, just room between two other boats and returned to the flat, in my case the first time in 3 months!  We shall put the boat back in the Marina on Tuesday once we have emptied our clothes and food.

16 miles, 2 locks, 4 hrs 6 mins

Some thoughts on our trip: 

• how to keep the boat steady when filling a river lock going upstream using the engine and centre line - taught by Stanground Lock keeper
• each river seems to have its own set of rules concerning the locks
• some of the towns and villages have made far more of their river fronts that others have.
• current pandemic has resulted in more boats being purchased and river marinas being full of moored river craft.
• loved exploring the lodes and tributaries of the river Great Ouse.
• volunteer lock keepers have been worth their weight in gold, all we have met have been wonderful and cheerful! 
• solar panels installed in May have been marvellous, batteries have topped up whatever the weather.
• finally upgraded the wifi router, antennae and fire stick on the boat, reception should be better all round now.
• we now carry 4x 5ltr water bottles especially for drinking water, rather than drinking from water stored in the tank.
• an excellent trip which enabled us to spend time with our new grandchildren over in Ely and further explore the eastern waterways.