Off for a Season

Canals - Droitwich, Worcester and Birmingham

We did not make an early start as we knew that the marina office did not open until 10 and we wanted to fill up our diesel tank before leaving. 

As we crossed the marina we noticed that a [pair of swans are again nesting on the end of central section.

At this stage we knew that the Severn was on Red Boards, ie not navigable - this meant that we would have to turn left once more at the exit from the marina. Immediately we arrived at the three Hanbury locks. Christine wanted to test out her newly repaired arm (with a steroid injection whilst we were back home after the Shakedown Cruise) but she was pleased to see volunteer lockies on duty for their first weekend of the season.

At the top lock there is an automated sign to indicate when the river is not navigable and we were not surprised to see its flashing light (on the left). However, we also discovered that the River Salwarpe, just below the marina, was also too high for boats to get under the motorway as its light, on the right, was also flashing. There was also a warning notice at the junction above to avoid boats turning down to the locks only to have to reverse back out onto the Worcester and Birmingham.

After the junction it was about 20 minutes run before the first of the six Astwood locks - time to brew another mug of coffee.

After the torrential rain yesterday it was great to have a dry day today. generally overcast and a bit chilly but very occasionally there was some brightness in the sky.

The rain had left the towpath very wet and muddy but this did not deter the many walkers, runners and cyclists some of whom managed to get  themselves rather muddy!

We mentioned Joseph Hamlett in a 2019 blog but this this time we found out a little more about him. (see here for example) he seems to have been quite a remarkable entrepreneur. From here we see that he had quite a difficult start in business but eventually became one of the largest manufacturers, especially of engineering bricks. These brick marks are easily overlooked but many of them have fascinating stories behind them.

Canal social media are fond of reporting house for sale with moorings - here is one that has a good length for almost any narrow boat, in Sagebury Terrace, just below where there was once Stoke Brine Works.

This well known feature of industry in this area was created by John Cobbett, aka The Salt King, in the mid 19C. As was often the case, not only did he build the industry but also funded many community facilities and housing for his workers. Sagebury Terrace was almost entirely for this purpose but, along with the Works, almost all has now been demolished. The main remnant is the schools which he started, now converted into housing.

We now started the six Stoke locks and were pleased to find three volunteers on here as well.As a result we made good time up the three locks they assisted.

Near the top of the flight there is, alongside the towpath, this set of four cottages. Originally just three, they were built by the canal company (see here, page 39). 

Below the top lock different types of catkins were coming out in profusion, along with bright forsythia. We moored just below the bottom lock of the Tardebigge flight - ready for an immediate start tomorrow!

4.75 Miles - 15 Locks