We awoke to persistent rain but which was not at first too heavy. The temperature was on the chilly side as well.
Before leaving our overnight mooring., Mike took a look at the link from the canal to the river at Pratt's Wharf. There is only a short distance between the two at this point, not much more than a single lock length.
Although filled in, it is still possible to make out where the lock was originally. The fallen tree trunk marks where the bottom gates would have been.
As soon as we set off the rain gathered in intensity - Christine sensibly kept a low profile as we made our way back down to Stourport. The rain means that there no further photos today. There was only one lock before the basins. At the new footbridge (Baldwin's Bridge 5A) Christine went ashore to call at the nearby Co-Op for a newspaper but as she also fancied another pork pie she agreed to meet Mike at that last lock.
However, as Mike arrived at the lock there were two volunteer lockies who filled the lock, opened the gate and waved Mike in! This meant that he was already on the service point in the basin below when Christine returned.
As the volunteers had said that they would be at the locks down to the river until midday, we set off in some hope that it might only need one of us to work down. Alas, when we reached the other side of the basins we could see another boat already just going down and no additional help in sight!
It was not only wet but very windy which made the short distance between the two staircases rather tricky. The two locks are not aligned and only just over a boat length between them.
By the time we were able to exit onto the river we were both very soaked and so we pulled onto the visitor mooring pontoon just around the corner. A complete change was needed - and then lunch with the last portions of Christine's soup as well as slices of the new pork pie bought from the butcher earlier.
Two o'clock and Mike felt warmed and dried enough to wrap up well once more and set off down stream. The rain continued but at this stage was not heavy. By now we had abandoned our aim of returning via Worcester so that Hawford became our revised destination for today.
Alas, no sooner had we set off but the rain gathered new force. On the horizon we could see brighter skies but they were determined to keep way from us.
Both locks were staffed by the same keepers as when we came up. Only possible to have the briefest of chats but they both give the impression of being very friendly and keen to help. Not that either could do much about the weather!
The rain almost turned to hail on the long reach between the two locks and Mike had to pull his jacket collar up around his face and stand sideways on to the wind which was coming straight up the river!
Amazingly just after leaving Holt Lock the sun emerged from a blue patch - but really only for a couple of minutes before it retreated once again. The sight of the entrance to Hawford Junction Lock could not have been more welcome.
But we still had to work up the first two locks before we could moor for the night - same place as on the way down. However, the boat inside is warm and dry and we soon recuperated - and cheered ourselves with a forecast for tomorrow that is overcast but DRY!
11.5 Miles - 9 Locks
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