Salwarpe

Today's Canal - Droitwich

Mike began the day by going early into town for some bread and a few small items. After he returned to the boat and a welcome mug of coffee we prepared to set off. Even with the early start it was almost 10:30 before we edged out of our mooring and crossed the marina to its entrance.

The pair of swans which had just started nesting in the middle of the marina were still there and Mrs was still tinkering with the nest. We could not tell whether they have any eggs to hatch but they did look a little sorry for themselves - or is that just our imagination?

Which way would we turn out of the marina? Last time we went left and up the three locks to Hanbury Junction. This time we turned right  towards Hawford Junction on the Severn.

We were somewhat surprised when, just after passing under the Rugby Club Bridge (which also carries the road into the marina), we could that a queue had formed at the first lock. It was nearly half an hour before we could begin the descent in the two lock staircase - the top lock is rather slow to fill.

After passing through the short but very low M5 tunnel, we descended lock 7 but as we exited we became stranded in very shallow water  - probably silt washed down by the river that joins the navigation below the lock. Both the boat coming down behind us and another that arrived to ascend attempted to help us but we were very firmly stuck, too far from the bank to get off.  Whilst we phoned CaRT (and Christine found the chap who answered the phone to be very pleasant and helpful) the two boats went on their way but was asked the one going up to open the bottom paddles after they had gone through, in the hope that this might just lift us enough to get underway. A bit to our surprise this worked and allowed us to reverse into the mouth of the lock to straighten up and begin to crawl slowly as close to the towpath as we could manage. Even so, as we passed under the next bridge we tilted to quite an angle. Nevertheless we did make it to the next lock, about an hour later than expected.

By the time we negotiated the two swing bridges after the Barge Lock it was lunch time so we took advantage of one of the pontoons in Netherwich Basin.

We were not sure what to do next as there are few mooring opportunities before Hawford Junction and, by now, it would be getting a bit late to aim for that this evening. When we came this way last time late inn the day the moorings just before the junction were fully occupied. There are two possible options just before and after Salwarpe. We have not used either of them before so did not know how good they might be but we took the chance.

This family with a good brood of cygnets is the first we have seen this season. 

The weather today has been a bit mixed and so far dry apart from a few moments at the edge of a shower, but the clouds were beginning to be a bit darker all the time.

Although not especially brilliant, we did manage to come alongside the towpath at the first even if we did have to resort to mooring pins. As we moored we were a little disturbed by a slight unpleasant smell, but not as pungent as last trip.

Mike walked up to the village churchyard to take some photos but by the time he returned an hour and a half later Christine had noticed that the Mastervolt readings were very much awry. It is unclear whether the readings or the batteries and alternators are the problem. The morning may well bring a radical change of plan - we shall have to wait and see.

3.4 Miles - 5 Locks