We spoke too soon! We set off in the blithe belief that all systems were now working but when Mike went to have his bedtime shower he discovered on the lukest of warm water. We had tried the Webasto diesel water heater whilst at the marina and both in he evening and first thing kit seemed to be producing hot water. OK so we had the use of the immersion heater but the towel rail was definitely hot.
Whilst we can produce hot water whilst cruising it soon runs out, making morning and evening ablutions less than comfortable!
We set off and whilst Mike cruised to the first locks, Christine checked with Worcester Boatyard to see if they had anyone that could look at it. Not this afternoon, but first thing tomorrow which fitted in reasonably well as it would take us several hours to get down to Worcester.
The day was rather more overcast than forecast and we did have a couple of spells of very light rain, not enough to don waterproofs.
Shortly after passing under the M5 bridge we arrived at the top of the six lock Offerton flight. These locks are not quite as deep as those at the top of the Droitwich and we encountered few problems.
At the bottom lock we met the first moving boat of the day although by the time we finished we had seen quite number, several appeared to be hire boats from Worcester.
Just above Blackpole Lock is this splendid milestone.
After passing under the bridge that carries the railway line between Worcester and Droitwich we arrived at out expected lunch stop, a little earlier than anticipated. Although we have stopped here before, this longer pound was today remarkably low and we had to moor with quite a gap between the boat and the towpath.
Before setting off, Mike walked to the convenience shop that we discovered back in March and was pleased that he could purchase the last (only?) copy of our paper. Luckily, we only wanted the one copy!
Just after our lunch mooring are the two Bilford Locks. The top lock has had to have an emergency repair to the balance beam on the top gate, not long after we came through here back in March. At the time there was some debate about how it happened but lock down seems to have left us with no answers!
At Gregory's Mill top lock our way was obstructed by a swan family - Mr, Mrs and Junior, that refused to vacate the space that we needed. Mike stayed on board as Christine let the water out so that we could give them the safe room they needed and they sped out as soon as the gates were open.
The boatyard is not far below Gregory's Mill bottom lock - alas the mooring close to Asda that we used in March is just the other side, a bit to far to reverse up. So, we looked for a mooring before the entrance. Unfortunately the official 48hr mooring, complete with rings is now right outside a block of flats so we went just around the corner - not as well dredged but needs must so we stayed here for tonight.
5.2 Miles - 12 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment