Droitwich Spa Marina to Netherwich Basin, Droitwich
1.5 miles, 5 locks, 3 swing bridges
We had intended that our autumn cruise would take us from the marina to Stratford via the Worcester Birmingham & Stratford Canals and back via the Rivers Avon and Severn before rejoining the Worcester Birmingham Canal at Worcester. Things, however, have a habit of changing - just one of many changes we have made this year. For reasons to complicated to go into we need to be near home, which means the top of Tardebigge each Monday for a while, so we are just off out for a slow toddle up to Birmingham and back.
We have an extra crew member - Monty's best friend, Kiera. She has joined us on the boat several times before, so this rather odd life is not a complete mystery to her. She will feature quite a lot over the next week, so her family, who are on holiday in Spain, can see what she has been up to whilst on her holidays with us.
We loaded up yesterday morning and set off after a swift lunch in glorious sun which was very welcome. Out of the marina, turn right and the first lock which is a staircase is not far away. As I arrived there was a man at the lock. To use these staircase locks when coming up (which they were) you need to fill the top lock before you try to fill the bottom lock. They had failed to do this - he was worried they would put too much water in, but when the instructions clearly state you have to fill the lock, it is a good idea to do as you are told! We had to add more to the top lock before they had any chance of getting over the cill between the two locks. I think it was a good job we turned up when we did.
We eventually made it down the staircase, but what is that boat doing moored on the lock landing at the next lock. All sorts of mutterings under our breath about people who stop for lunch where they shouldn't, but when we arrived we found out they had broken down. We did offer help as they said they were about to bow haul the boat back to the marina. We could have winded and towed them, but they had a big crew (at least two men and three ladies), so said they would manage.
They made it into the bottom of the staircase locks backwards.
Monty, Kiera and I were sent to the bow to add as much weight as possible for us to get under the M5 culvert. In fact the water is quite low at present, so we had about 4 inches to spare
The swing bridge at what was the Barge Lock in Vines Park gave me a lot of bother - I just could not persuade the lock to open. I went back to the boat to get another key, but it still refused to open. Chris left the boat and did eventually get it open. That is one swing bridge that does not give problems, so it did not bode well for the rest!
We made it through the one opposite Waitrose that I have never been able to do without asking a passing pedestrian to lean on the bridge to release the lock. It was a good job we did not need to stop as there was a boat moored up.
The C&RT markings from the festival are still there and I suspect it will take a long time for them to fade.
The next moored boat was also on a swing bridge landing, but that one is always open, so no problem.
There was just one boat moored in Netherwich Basin, so plenty of room for us
It had been a hot trip, most of which the dogs walked - it was a peaceful time once we moored up!
Thursday 19th September 2019
Netherwich Basin to Hanbury Junction
1.75 miles, 8 locks, 3 swing bridges
By the time we left this morning the two hire boats had gone, so we had the moorings to ourselves.
It was another wonderful morning with wall to wall to blue sky
As the dogs and I got back to the towpath, Chris was swinging out of the basin
and the swing bridge was ready for him by the time he arrived. This padlock works easily, but the bridge itself is the heaviest of the three to swing.
There was someone else out making the most of the beautiful weather.
The mooring by the always open swing bridge was now empty, so we pulled in and popped to Waitrose for a top up shop before we headed off.
The boat that had been on the next swing bridge landing left just as we got back from Waitrose, so we knew we would be following them all the way. For the first time ever, I actually managed to unlock this bridge without help! Quite an achievement as this is a bridge most people struggle with. A passing pedestrian helped me when it came to closing it.
I had the same problem with the swing bridge at the next lock as I had had on the way here yesterday and once again Chris had to come to the rescue. He applied some WD40, so hopefully it will improve, but we will be reporting the difficulty to our local C&RT team.
We made it under the M5 culvert to tackle the single and then the staircase lock. It was along here that I think we 'broke' our visitor! First she had to lie down
and then it was complete collapse!
We had caught the boat ahead of us up (he was single handing) by the time we got to the staircase. I helped him up and meanwhile a hire boat arrived at the top. Mooring up was alarming to say the least. There was a huge amount or full throttle forward and back. First he hit the lock landing, then he reversed into the reeds on the far bank and lost his hat!
We all made it through safely and our next destination was the three locks at Hanbury and we were in for 5 star treatment - not just one volunteer lock keeper, or even two, but three! We raced up - thank you for your help James and your two colleagues.
We were ready to turn left at Hanbury Junction just as this hire boat came along. Thankfully they went straight on to Worcester, so no tricky manouvres were required to get round each other had they been going to Droitwich. We were also glad they decided not to moor as
we wanted the slot behind Galene - a boat built by Crafted Boats (formerly JH Pinders & Sons). It is owned by a Greek family and I believe the name means 'Serenity'.
We have never needed to moor here before as it is so close to the marina, but it is a peaceful spot despite the nearby road.
Late afternoon the dogs and I went for a wander along the towpath
Just before bridge 36 there is a kissing gate - I went to see if there was potential for an off towpath stroll - the view was enticing
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