Hawford Moorings to The Bird in Hand, north of Stourport
9.75 miles, 9 locks
We woke to a heavy dew, but the promise of a glorious day ahead and it did not disappoint. We were ready to go by 08:25 which is quite early for us, but, sadly, we were five minutes too late. As we emerged the two boats ahead of us were just pulling pins and heading for the first lock. Hey ho - it meant two locks to fill, but at least it was not Tardebigge with 29 more to follow them down. Just as we were emptying the first lock a C&RT van appeared with a man and a dog. We thought/hoped that help had arrived, but no not a lockie, just a full time employee checking all was well before he went on his way.
As we left the lock this large cabin cruiser came up behind us and was soon past and on his way.
Pretty as a picture as we approach the first Severn lock for us today - Holt Lock. Luck was with us as a boat was emerging, so they were ready for us.
And yet again at Lincomb Lock we had timed it to perfection, so no delays at all. There is not a lot to see on the Severn, so I did take advantage of some time to get a few domestic duties done.
You can't miss Stourport-on-Severn - the fun fair stands out like a sore thumb. From the river if appeared to be all quiet, but no such luck, although it was not as noisy as the last time we came this way.
It is a steep swing round to enter the first of the narrow locks - a staircase of two.
A voluntary lock keeper appeared to lend a hand and to let us know there was a boat coming down the second staircase locks.
The funfair meanwhile was winding up, but not quite in full swing - yet!
I guess Father Christmas is an all year round guest in these parts.
Safely up the top lock of the first staircase
The boat coming down was instructed to wait on the left, so Chris could emerge and head straight for the lock ahead.
A narrowboat with an fun fair in the background always seems incongruous to me.
In we went and by this time we had two VLKs looking after us. It was going to be a long hot day for them, but we were very grateful for their help.
It was a day for gongoozlers
Once we had emerged we turned right and headed for the service station. There was a boat already on the water point, so we deposited our rubbish and waited and waited. It is a very slow tap! From across there you do get a very good view of Stouport Yacht Club with its
magnificent clock tower.
Once full, we were on our way - there is just one more single lock to go up to start the journey out of Stourport. We could have stayed in town, but who wants to be in a noisy traffic filled place with no grass for the dog - not us today. There was a boat coming down the lock - apparently just for diesel, so I had some assistance here as well.
Now I wonder where you would rather be - in this line of traffic or working locks and then escaping the town?
This lock is right by a tea room which seemed to be doing good business.
Last lock of the day
and where the neighbours across the cut are unlikely to disturb us
Plan B - we checked the blog from 2016 and decided we would be better further forward - not much of a view to port, but this neighbour will be no more trouble than those in the cemetery.
It is a bit shadier and further from the pub.
The view from the side hatch is not much cop, but we are safe and quiet
To round off the day we went for a walk along the disused railway line in the cool of the evening after our dinner. A view from the bridge
and the promise of another lovely day tomorrow. You have to pity those who have gone to the Torrevieja area of Spain where they have had the worst storm in half a century. We have friends down there who have suffered torrential rain for three days with more to come.
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