A Day (well more like 5 minutes) Late & a Dollar Short - 2nd September 2020

 Wednesday 2nd September 2020

Wolverley Lock to before B9 - Bullocks Bridge

5 miles, 5 locks

As we were gathering ourselves together a boat came passed us to go down the lock.  A few minutes later as we were literally about to untie another one came along.  They did pull in behind us and ask if we were in the queue.  Chris was very honest and said 'not quite', so please go ahead, which they did.

Sadly there was no traffic coming up, but eventually it was our turn to go down.  The boat ahead of us had great difficulty opening the top gate - the bottom gates leak like a sieve, so it is essential to keep all three paddles open before opening the top gate.  I try to keep away from sharing lock beams in this world we are currently living in, but this was one that required two of us to get it moving.  Once they were through and on their way, I turned the lock ready for us.  Would someone come along top or bottom to be able to lend a hand with that top gate?  Sadly no.

I pushed, pulled, heaved and strained to the extent that Chris left the boat to moor it up to come and lend a hand.  Naturally as he alighted I finally won the day and the gate moved.

Once we were in the lock as I walked to the open the bottom paddles a lady appeared from below with a windlass in her hand.  The bottom gates are right by the road bridge, so no handy bridge for lock operators, so a really good place to have two of us.

It was certainly too early for any pub customers.  I was glad to escape as the road traffic noise was horrendous.  You might also note that there is very little blue in the sky.

The next lock is one of my least favourite locks.  At Wolverley Court Bridge the top gate has a large gap between the bank and the gate plank (is there a proper name for these?).  I struggled before the arthritic knee appeared, but now I find it even harder.

To add to the difficulty, you have to stand on the plank to wide up the gate paddle - a very precarious position.

I had opened the ground paddle on the towpath side and was trying to work out how to get across when a man appeared - they had set off just after we passed them after we had descended Wolveley lock.  He gallantly offered to go across for me and opened the ground and gate paddle that side and then came across to do the really awkward gate paddle this side.  Once our boat was in the lock he offered to work the bottom gates and invited me to get back on our boat. He really was my knight in shining armour.  His boat is nb Caspar and I think he is Brian and his wife is Ann(e). If you ever see this - a very big thank you from me.

Going down Wolverley Court Lock

Next stop was Sainsburys and then we were on our way again.  Lock 3 of the day (Kidderminster) and once again it needed to be filled.  No gallant helpers this time (nb Caspar had also stopped at Sainsburys), but it gave me time to take a quick (and not very good) photo of the statue by the lock - one John Baxter

This is what I have discovered about him on Wikipedia - Richard Baxter (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691) was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymnodist,^[1] theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long and prolific career as theological writer. After the Restoration he refused preferment, while retaining a non-separatist Presbyterian approach, and became one of the most influential leaders of the Nonconformists, spending time in prison. His views on justification and sanctification are somewhat controversial and unconventional within the Calvinist tradition because his teachings seem, to some, to undermine salvation by faith, in that he emphasizes the necessity of repentance and faithfulness.

Back out into the countryside for the next two locks although civilization cannot be far away as a 'water conservation' aka 'anti-vandal' key is required for both locks.  Once again we were on our own and both locks needing filling before we could enter.  You might note that there is now no blue in the sky!

Monty still opts for as wide a bridge as possible!

Our next miss timing of the day was when we passed under this bridge.  Chris commented that there was no train today.  My response was that it was unlikely they were running as the schools are back.  However, as we rounded the corner to the next lock there was the unmistakable sound of a steam train!  I suppose it makes a change to be early rather than late.

The last hour of our trip was miserable - what started as light rain, turn into quite a deluge.  We were glad to find a spot to stop and tie up for the day.

The end of the day is a double skype for two birthdays.  First with Sue and Ken from nb Cleddau (it is Sue's birthday today) and then with the family as it is our eldest granddaughter's 17th birthday today.  Molly was due around 20th August.  At first I hoped her delayed appearance might mean she was born on my birthday (28th), but no, she waited to share her day with Sue!