Pootling along the River Severn - 3rd September 2020

 Thursday 3rd September 2020

B49, Bullocks Lane, Staffs & Worcs to B2, Diglis, Worcester, Birmingham & Worcester

14.75 miles, 10 locks

Years ago when we used to hire boats we would regularly do 7 to 8 hour days, but we were younger, fitter and had a schedule to keep to.  These days we take our time when we can.  Today was to be an exception.

I had a really bad night - all I could hear was rain beating down on the roof which led to anxiety about what state the River Severn would be in.  It is less than a week since it was on red boards, so closed to navigation.  Would it rise again?  Our original plan had been to just go down onto the river and stop on the pontoons below Stourport on Severn.  The next day we were just going to head to Worcester and moor on the river and go up onto the canal on the third day (ie 5th September).  However, we decided to go for it and get on and off the river whilst we could.

As we were about to leave nb Caspar came up behind us.  They kindly waved us on, but we let them go first as I was going to be walking Monty, so Chris would be going slowly.

This rather nice canal side property with moorings is for sale at £435,000 -  Details here

There was a very short hold up just as we approached Stourport - I am not sure what they were up to, but when I walked back again about 20 minutes later there was no sign of anyone.

We were astounded as we approached York lock to find no one moored - it is usually nose to tail all the way along.  We stopped just prior to the lock landing so Chris could sort out the anchor, life jackets etc whilst I took Monty for another walk.  We were aware he would be stuck on board for around 3 hours whilst we were on the river.

Entering York Lock, Stourport - we were on our way again.

We had a very brief stop at the services to off load some rubbish - we had received notification that the water point and elsan were out of order.  Parked by the sanitary station was a van with a very appropriate name for a plumber in this part of the world.

We wondered if the plumber owns this boat moored in Stourport Basin

We arrived at the top of the staircase locks to find a boat on the lock landing preparing to go down.  There was a small amount of space behind it and a kindly boater took a rope from us and helped to secure us.  I went off to see if I could be of assistance - it appeared that it was the first lock for the crew of the boat ahead.  Interestingly, although these are a pair of staircase locks you do not need to ensure the bottom lock is empty before proceeding to empty the top lock.

I went ahead and prepared the top of the second staircase locks - it is much easier to have this ready.  It can be quite windy up there and it is not the best place to have to hover, especially for a novice crew.  They did get it done.  Quite a challenge for your first ever locks.

That was the challenge we had to face in 1974.  We had a funny little boat which we took from Stourport to Evesham and back again.  Unfortunately, the hirers before us failed to arrive back in time.  They weren't even just a bit late - they were very, very late!  I think our pick up time was around 2pm and they were still on their way!!  By the time they did arrive, unload and the boatyard turned the boat round ready for us it was probably about 6pm.  The boatyard staff did help us down the 4 locks onto the river, but by the time we were down the river locks were closed.  All they said to us was 'oh you will find somewhere to moor'!!  Looking back and with the benefit of hindsight and knowledge we should have insisted on staying in the boatyard for the night.  Now there are mooring pontoons below the four locks - then there was nothing.  I remember that we found a tree to tie to and managed to get a gangplank ashore  so the dog could get on and off.  We would not be up to the gymnastics involved these days!  When we did get in the first river lock the next day I can distinctly remember being shouted at by the lock keeper as I was in danger of falling in as I tried to get a rope round the slider!  I am glad to say we are a bit more proficient these days!

We were down on the river at midday - just in time for the intermittent rain to stop and the sun to think about coming out

and the river was well into the green.

Chris moved round to the pontoons that were not there in 1974.  I went off down expecting Monty to follow.  I am afraid he is a nervous soul and there are some things he will not do - he came down the slope

but was having none of the pontoon that creaked and moved!  He high tailed it back to the top and waited for me to go back and collect him.  With his lead on he is happy to follow!

It turned into pleasant afternoon and we enjoyed out trip along the river.  The Holt Inn has built outdoor pods that you can book - not quite inside/outside, but they do protect from the wind and light rain.

We shared the first two locks with nb Nutcracker.  As we arrived at our last river lock (Bevere) there was a boat moored up on a very high wall.  We pulled in behind.  A man appeared and took a rope from us and explained that there was a small skiff in the lock as they were doing some work on the lock ladder and that there may be a 40 minute delay.  

It turned out to be around 15 minutes when the skiff was pulled round

the corner

and was tied up securely until they could resume once the (now) three boats had gone through the lock.

Worcester Rowing club was busy

Then our first view of Worcester Cathedral

Then through Worcester Bridge which is notorious for collecting flotsam and jetsam

There is no shortage of swans in the Worcester Swannery

It is hard to miss the stunning Kings School Michael Baker Boathouse.  It was built in 2012.  Michael Baker is an ex- pupil from the school and donated £2.5 million towards the project.

Chris turned the boat to off load Monty and I on the pontoons by the locks at Diglis to get onto the Worcester Birmingham Canal.  Remember Monty's reluctance to use the pontoon in Stourport - no such reticence here - he was straight up to find the grass!  

There is a new sculpture/planter overlooking the first lock and the river.

Turning in to the first lock

The two locks are large broad locks with very heavy gates.  It was my lucky day - a young man and young lady were walking past and offered to help.  Something I never refuse.  They stayed around to get us up the lock before they had to leave to head back to school.  They are just starting their final year.  I asked them how it was back at school ' weird' was the reply - 'a lot of tents have popped up all over the place'.  If they see this, I wish you all the best in your A-levels and thank you again for your help.  It was very much appreciated.

Then another couple stopped to lend a hand - I rest my case about them being very big gates.

Much to our amazement the moorings above Diglis Basin were almost empty - or so we thought.  On closer inspection most of the moorings all the way along there are 30 minute water point moorings.

We moved through the next bridge and were once again amazed to find it empty

We were spoilt for choice, but chose to stay this end as we would need to reverse back to the sanitary station in the morning.  It was a quiet evening!