The Long Awaited Visit - Part 2 - 31st May - 1 June 2021

 Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2021

Droitwich Spa Marina to Vines Park, Droitwich and back again

3 miles, 10 locks, 6 swing bridges

They say the sun shines on the virtuous and once again today was dry, sunny and hot, so maybe we have done something right in life!  This trip is our 'go to' day trip and makes a great family day out.  It also would be our first trip under the M5 culvert since having a new TV aerial fitted - would we fit?  There was only one way to find out.

We assembled at the marina and set off in glorious sunshine.  We were far from alone - there was a steady stream of boats leaving, but they were all turning left to head up the Hanbury flight.

Just as we arrived at the first lock (a staircase) we looked around and lo and behold there were two more behind us which we assume must have come from the marina or were travelling together and waiting after each lock/flight of locks for the other one to catch up.

With so many helpers we were soon down the first three locks

There were enough hands to allow us to take it in turns to just sit, relax and enjoy - a rare treat!

I was too busy looking to check all was well as we went under the M5 to take any photos, but we made it with room to spare.  We do usually remove the cratch to aid our passage through the culvert - today it also allowed for more room for socialisation.  

Before we knew it we were down the lock after the M5 and in the last lock at the entrance to Vines Park.

We had planned on stopping for a picnic opposite Waitrose after Chris had gone through the last swing bridge and winded in Netherwich Basin, however while the latter was taking place, someone else had the same idea!  In the end Chris decided to fill up the water tank as the water point was free and it is much easier there with the bow right by the tap than running the hose the length of the boat in the marina.

The locking/swing bridge crew waited patiently in the shade

We moored up just outside the basin for the next event - a very important one - lunch!  I think you can just make out Monty tucking into his lunch time carrot!

Time for a family line up in height order before we set off to return to the marina.  We are missing one person - our son in law who had to work.

Finally a fun one with the youngsters - I am not sure how happy the youngest member was though!

It was busier going back, but who cares about queues when the weather is perfect and the company even more so.

With a boat ahead of us at the lock after the M5 tunnel and another coming out of that lock there was some fun and games when the lady lock worker from the boat going down got left behind!  It is possible to walk round by the road to the next lock, but unless you know where you are going it is better to be on the boat.  They tried to reverse back to the lock landing, but kept going aground, so there was nothing else for it, but to let her access her boat via ours.  Probably not the wisest decision we have ever made due to covid, but I have to say that did not occur to me at the time.  I guess we were working on 'normal' rules when it is the done thing to help others out when they have got into a pickle.  So far, so good and we are all fit and healthy, so I hope we got away with it.

The only downside to this trip is that there is very little steering to be done that does not require careful manoeuvring, however our son and eldest grandson did manage to get control for a while - under canine "supervision" of course!

The day was rounded off with Pizzas all round courtesy of our son who had brought his pizza oven with him.

Tuesday saw all 11 of us heading to a local pub for lunch (two tables to abide by the rules) once again in glorious sunshine.  Our son and family headed home as he had to go to work on Wednesday.  Such is life!

It was a glorious few days that we will all remember for a very long time, made even better by perfect weather.

We hope to head off on our 'summer cruise' towards the end of this month.