Nearly There - 18th August 2019

Sunday 18th August 2019
Hawford to Netherwich Basin, Droitwich
5.25 miles, 6 locks

We woke at 7am to the sound of rain on the roof, so rolled over for a while.  Thankfully it did not last for long and our trip was dry and warm, but with a strong breeze throughout.  I checked the river levels before we left.  I think we chose the right day to tackle the Severn.  The river levels are rising both towards Stourport

and Worcester

The Barge Canal is not particularly interesting - the most striking feature is the reeds.  Tall and very lush which restricts the view.

Some parts are quite narrow.  They cleared them all a few years ago, so hopefully they will again one day.

The six locks are all very large, the paddles are a challenge and the gates an even bigger challenge.  The first three needed to be emptied before we could enter, so it was slow going.  There is a lovely cottage at Ladywood lock with a very busy bird feeding station to keep one amused whilst waiting for the lock to empty and then fill.

 The visitors were mostly chaffinches, but there was one greenfinch and a little robin.

At least the locks are well behaved, so ropes are not required

It all took long enough for Monty to lie down on the job.

When you see a gathering of cars near a canal it can only mean one thing

 A fishing competition

 As we approached our fourth lock there was someone at the lock with a windlass - two boats coming down.  A very welcome sight.  One had a name that our daughter will recognise - it was one of her favourite books when she was a youngster.

It is a beautiful boat.  The other boat was a hire boat that they let go ahead as, it was reported, they had crashed into them twice trying to get into the first two locks.

The fifth lock had a boat exiting - they left both gates open.  We only use one, but at least there was a bridge to make the job of closing the offside gate a little easier.

I have mentioned how heavy the gates are - at this lock not only are they heavy, but the arms are canted, making it even harder.

Just below that lock was another fisherman with one of the longest poles I have ever seen. It completely blocked the towpath when he moved it out of the way

and stretched right across the canal and when deployed.

This bridge as you approach Droitwich is not noted as a tunnel,

 but it is as long as some others that are.

 Just round the corner was our local charity trip boat 'Pamela May 2'.  Brand new this year and an all electric boat.

A bit further on and we arrive at Netherwich Basin - we need not have worried about finding a space, there was only one other boat in residence.

 

Three more boats came and joined us over the course of the afternoon, but no one disturbed our view from the side hatch.

Just 1.5 miles, 3 swing bridges and 5 locks to go and we are back in the marina.  However, we will need to take the cratch down, fill the water tank, put Monty plus one in the bow (asking them to "think heavy") and see if we get under the M5 "culvert".  Await developments!