Jess arrives and we get as far as Lyons Boatyard

 Today's Canals - Worcester and Birmingham, Stratford

This morning offered bright blue, cloudless skies. We moored overnight opposite Alvechurch Boatyard and Hire Base - we had arranged to meet Joanna and Jess here late morning, having driven up from Windsor.

Although this turned out to be a surprisingly quiet spot, the yard was open for business at least by 7 o'clock. The hire business seems to be picking up well and there were several boats returning and to be turned around for the next crews to arrive this afternoon.

Christine walked down to the village and, as well as calling at the Co-Op for a paper, she went into the nearby butcher who was very happy to supply what she particularly sought - a local pork pie.

We were updated on car progress and when they were just a few minutes away, Mike walked up to the bridge to avoid them missing us.

After chat, it was time for lunch. For the first time Mike had made a loaf of bread on the boat, using a bread mix for simplicity. It turned out very tasty, almost malted grain flavour. If we were at home he would have used a packet on two separate days but luckily he made it all up as over two thirds went by the end of lunch, as well as almost all of the pork pie.

The blue sky had disappeared and for a while we had a slight shower. Before we set off, Mike checked the weed hatch only to discover that some electrical plastic covered wire was entangled around the prop shaft. Not the easiest to remove - sad to say, he now much prefers real weed!

Time now to cast off and Joanna stayed on board a while, walking back to her car from just before the Wast Hills Tunnel.

A little north of Alvechurch the new Withybed Marina is open for business and most of the moorings appear to be taken. It seems to be simple marina with a few facilities on a plateau above the moorings.

The vegetation is now well developed and the scenery generally very pleasant.

A sharp bend accompanies the entrance to the former Bittell Arm, now largely overgrown and denoted as a conservation area.

Joanna left us just after Bridge 69 and set off back to Alvechurch whilst we prepared to enter the long wast Hills Tunnel. Although the information boards suggests this will take us an hour, we emerged just 30 minutes after starting. We passed two boats coming the other way. With the second, Mike discovered why he normally is very careful about stowing the side fenders when leaving a mooring. Alas the reminder left us minus the rear fender and top rail hanger, accompanied by a distressing crack!

Shortly after leaving the tunnel we called for at a water point long enough to fill the tank - but there were no other services here.

At Kings Norton Junction is the sad sight of the burned out former toll house, still wrapped up awaiting repair and restoration.

We continued for another three quarters of an hour before looking for a mooring. We passed through the much shorter Brandwood Tunnel. Just after passing the Lyons Boatyard. Alas we could not find anywhere with a tv signal so Mike will have to forgo tonight's episode of his favourite Vera.

Jess did most of the work in preparing tonight's fish pie.

8.1 Miles - 0 Locks

Alvechurch

Today's Canal - Worcester and Birmingham

We awoke as usual (for this time of year) around 7 and, without rushing, had breakfast and were ready to set off just before half past eight. Although we were just along from a busy pub with extensive outdoor facilities, we were not in anyway disturbed.

We had been promised sunshine 'tomorrow' for most of this week but once again the day started rather grey - and for quite a bit of the afternoon there was light drizzle, occasionally heavier.

We quickly adopted our usual rhythm and were looking to reach the top of Tardebigge by late lunchtime.

At the second lock we had quite a crowd of onlookers. Later in the flight the numbers were similar but human!

After the fifth lock we were greeted by quite a gang of volunteer lockies. One at first (a former army colonel!) soon joined by another two and finally a fourth. (There was even a fifth later who was helping a boat coming down)

Although they did not take over, they were quite keen on doing as much as possible. In our first hour we completed seven locks but with the lockies help our rate rose to close on 11 locks an hour for the middle two quarters of the flight. And some people even managed to take advantage of ringside seats!

The locks, apart from the top lock, are all close together and there was not a lot of new things to photograph. 'Doing Tardebigge' is more about the physical achievement than the scenery!

boats

Half way and one of the lockies joined up with the fifth to escort the boat coming down - we only passed two boats in the entire flight. The lockies were somewhat disappointed that there was not more traffic for them.

Two of the former lock cottages have substantial radio antennae - do they talk to each other?

We knew that we were not far from the top when we arrived at the reservoir - the level looked down but perhaps that is 'the New Normal' since there has been little boat passage and quite a lot of rain in this season so far.

One of the locks has recently had an emergency repair to the top balance beam. Se think that this is the third we have seen this year using this technique. Becoming the latest fashion? Better than an extended closure anyway.

We finally arrived at the top - bidding farewell to the volunteers - and emerged into the pound above three hours and 33 minutes after entering the bottom lock. Possible the fastest we have ever done it, but still way off any records!

A short distance to the wharf and the services. We only had disposal as the water tank was still quite full. When finished we moved across to the visitor mooring on the other bank - alas no rings or bollards so it was out with the hammer and pins!

A slightly longer lunch break followed during which we pondered our options and communicated with Windsor. Joanna is bringing Jess up by car to stay with us for the next week. In the end we opted to look first for a mooring at Alvechurch which is just a few minutes from a motorway junction.

But first we had two medium length tunnels to negotiate. In fact they are almost motorway standard for canals - very straight and with two way working, not that we met anything in either of them. The information board at each entrance gave a transit time of 20 minutes but we were through in about eight.

Our guide map notes two visitor moorings at Alvechurch, either side of the road bridge. The first was empty - but only room for one 60ft boat and opposite the marina, but the other longer one was occupied with boats that looked as if they did not really understand what 48 hours meant!  Guess where we tied up!

No newspaper at the marina so Mike walked down into the village - rather further than he bargained for and the last part is a noticeable hill. The usual 'why are they here' shops (such as a wedding dress shop, and an insurance broker), two or three cafes, a pharmacy and a Co-Op. We only needed blue top milk for Jess as well as the paper. Not long to pick them from the shelves but at least a five minute queue to get in - one in one out was the operation. 

5.3 Miles - 30 Locks

August Trip - but not yet the heat wave

Today's Canals - Droitwich, Worcester and Birmingham

After barely a fortnight back home, which had been a rather fraught time, we were more than ready to set off once more even if we might have to spend time sorting 'things' by phone or email.

We drove up yesterday - the motorway was again mostly remarkably quiet with only a few stretches that could be called anywhere near busy (especially in comparison with previous years) We arrived at the marina around 1 o'clock having had our lunch sandwiches on the final part of the journey.

The boat seemed well and we unloaded - not a lot as it was a short break at home and we planned to do most of our food shopping in the afternoon, staying in the marina overnight.

The only problem was, when sorting out medication at night time, Mike discovered that he had packed only 2 of his daily contact lenses instead of 20! Whilst he can cope, it is a risk that he may have eye strain - he only needs a lens in one eye for normal activity, using reading glasses for close work.

First thing this morning we went into Droitwich town centre to visit an optician and collect a newspaper. Alas, 'regulations' prevented them for even considering assisting.

Back at the boat a last try was to speak to Sanders, our own optician in Wadebridge, who was, as always, most helpful. We had identified that Specsavers had several branches within a short driving time from the marina so she emailed the prescription to their call centre in Kidderminster. They promised to come back by 1 o'clock.

So, we unhooked ourselves from the pontoon and crossed the marina to the diesel point where we topped up - Christine picked up a large container of plums being sold by the two small children of the marina manager. (They were not there but photos encouraged donations!)

Eventually, by half past eleven we could set off, planning to go up the top three locks of the Droitwich and wait at Hanbury Junction for the phone call. If necessary it would only be a ten minute walk to fetch the car.

We were on our own for the first two locks but then could see that a solitary blue figure was preparing the top lock for us. This seems a popular place for volunteers but most are more interested in the weekends which are busier.

Alas, when we eventually had a call from Specsavers, none of their local branches had anything suitable in stock. It seems that most opticians have gone over to holding very little stock, even of small quantities, and have orders sent direct by post - this happened at home earlier in the lock down, for the first time. Whilst this might be better for the opticians profitability, it does mean an expected wait of almost a week at the moment!

So, we opted to have lunch on the go during the short run to the bottom of the six Astwood Locks.

The second lock up is called Astwood lock and has a well maintained cottage, now a private house, but with a very full garden on the offside of the lock.

At this and the next lock we spotted coping bricks from different manufacturers. Pynson Wilmot Bennitt (who had an MA from Oxford) was a brickmaker at Littlefields in Oldbury and in 1881 he was employing 30 hands. However, ten years later the business had become bankrupt. His father developed the business and at one time was one of the largest in the area. Pynson Wilmot also played a role as an officer in the Queen’s Own Regiment of Worcestershire Yeomen Cavalry. (see) 

Joseph Hamblet must have been persistent: after following his father into brick making he is recorded as twice being hauled in front of a court for being insolvent, first in 1847 and then in 1851. However it seems that his fortunes changed quickly and later than year founded his own brick works in West Bromwich, rapidly becoming one of the largest producers of the famous Staffordshire Blue bricks (as in the sample above) This reference contains a photo of him in 18709 holding a contract for 74,000 bricks, his largest order to date.

Nearly three o'clock as we were half way up the Astwood flight, darker clouds started to appear and for the rest of the afternoon we had several intermittent, but thankfully brief, light showers.

The former Stoke Works, a very significant and well-known salt producer in the past, has now completely disappeared, apart from this towpath bridge which passed over a very short arm into one of the works buildings for loading.

Nearly done for the day at the top of the six lock Stoke flight. There is only a short distance to the start of the very long Tardebigge flight so we hopes for an overnight mooring just below the flight.

The Top Lock Cottage, again now longer for a lock keeper, has looked well maintained when we have passed this way for several years. Comparing photos, it seems hat the main obvious change is to rebuild or extend the single storey section at the rear of the property.

Fortunately there was room for us at the visitor mooring - well, not on the official stretch with rings, but armco next along. Good enough for tonight and it means that we have a start in the morning straight into seemingly endless locks!

4.8 miles - 15 Locks

Back to the Marina (again)

Today's Canal - Droitwich

It was another brilliant sunny day - the forecast suggested cloud by midday but, although we had a little around 10, the rest  of the day until sunset was almost entirely blue sky.

We left our overnight mooring a bit before 9 and made our way up through the single Mildenham Mill lock before continuing on the the Ladywood flight of five.

At the first lock, the lady who lives in the former lock cottage came out to chat - very friendly and informative. She seems to have missed having the boats coming through until the past couple of weeks.

By now there were several boats on their way down which helped and we were out of the top lock by 10:40.

There is a very tight bend under the road bridge at Salwarpe village and we were determined to find a better line - none so far had avoided having to do several forwards and backwards! This time we did manage in a single sweep around but it was still rather close. The temptation is to think that one is through only to discover that there is still more to be done.

After an hour of level cruising we reached the outskirts of Droitwich.

When we arrived at the first swing bridge in Vines Park, Christine popped to Waitrose, mainly for rolls for our lunch on the way home tomorrow, leaving Mike and Andrew to work the bridges and then the age Lock meeting up again at the other end of the park.

The next lock is where the River Salwarpe joins the navigation and we had a little difficulty in getting into the lock. There seemed to be quite a bit of silt, possible brought down by the winter floods.

The next pound. which includes the short tunnel under the M5, was rather low. Although this meant we had plenty of headroom the consequence was again that we scraped our way into the next lock.

Only the two lock staircase to go and just before 1 o'clock we had turned into the marina and were looking for our pontoon. There was little wind so the manoeuvre to reverse in was uneventful - but we did unusually have an extra space next to us to help.

After lunch Mike took Andrew down to Worcester to recover his car. The rest of the afternoon was not energetic! Andrew left for home after our evening meal.

6.8 Miles - 11 Locks

Hawford Junction

Today's Navigations - Staffs and Worcs, River Severn, Droitwich Canal

The weather today was in marked contrast with yesterday - now very bright and sunny, gradually getting hot enough to seek shade at times!

However, when we set off, for us earlier than normal, we were still in the shade of our overnight mooring and so a bit chilly. It did not last long.

By the time we were working down the locks towards Kidderminster and then on to Stourport, the sky was almost clear of clouds.

At Kidderminster the obligatory shot of the church that towers over the canal - and originally even more so over the River Stour which is quite a bit lower than the canal.

Little and Large - two bridges.

Just before Stourport we passed under Mitton Chapel Bridge. We showed a picture of the nearby churchyard last year. Christine found out a bit more of the history thus year. Where the parish church of St Michael and All Angels now stands, was at one time a much smaller structure, created as a chapel-of-ease from Kidderminster, long before Stourport began to develop its own identity. (A chapel of ease denotes a place of worship set up under the oversight of a nearby parish church and its vicar, often for a community that is a but to far away for ready travel to worship) In the 16C, the records show just 23 families in the Mitton area. A new church was built in 18C and by 1833 the population had grown to over 3000 and the church was not considered sufficient. So it was enlarged from 450 'kneelings' to over a 1000. The arrival of the canal revolutionised transport and so Lower Mitton turned into the town of Stourport - the older name now largely forgotten except by those living nearby.

 

We reached the York Street lock which leads down into the main basin. Alongside, Blossom's Te Room was doing a good trade, using the tables alongside the lock which were 'not for use' when we came up.

At the service block we stopped long enough for the usual disposals. Andrew then walked around the basin towards the narrow locks so that he could take some pictures and video from the air with his drone. We waited with the boat long enough to let another boat ahead start down the locks as there is only room for one boat to moor on the landing.

That's the view of the lower barge lock - not for us!

As it happened, it was only just entering the top lock as we arrived as the was another coming up. Mike backed our boat away from the through channel but the upward boat turned very late causing Mike to back even further during which he was blown sideways!

A view of the narrow locks and the fairground alongside.

Eventually we were able to begin the descent through the two staircases. This view also shows the unhelpful (non)alignment between the two pairs which we have mentioned before.

Below the upper staircase (no damage to human frames this time! Although we did work out what trip hazard probably caused the incident)

The second pair proved less eventful and it was 12:30 as we set off down the river. Soon we passed the trip boat returning to Stourport.

By the time we arrived at Lincomb Lock, the boat that had been ahead of us in the staircases was waiting for the gates to open - the lock is large enough to hold both of us - and more!

The rest of the way down to Hawford Junction was uneventful and very pleasant - the river was much busier than just a few days ago. Mike had to be awoken from a nap as we arrived somewhat quicker than he had anticipated . . . 

We ascended two locks before finding the moorings above almost empty, apart from one other boat. Places to stop along the Droitwich are scarce so this was a relief - and we could rest out the remainder of the wonderful afternoon before preparing tonight's roast lamb dinner, to be followed by a dessert based on the Bakewell Tart which Christine bought from her favourite shop in Kinver.

14.8 Miles - 13 Locks