Return to Droitwich

Centre of Droitwich Spa

We spent a delightful weekend in Hereford. It was good meeting up again with everyone and a few new faces that Paul hadn't seen in a long long time. As you can well imagine that much time was spent talking and laughing. Not to mention eating and drinking.
We were back on board on Monday, returning the car on Tuesday. We have now returned to Droitwich Spa for the St Richard's Boat and Car Festival at the weekend. We have a bank side mooring (see above) so Paul can open the side doors and show off his engine. So, much brass polishing before then! At the moment he is off with the other volunteers putting up a marquee! We will be here until Tuesday.

Setting out on the Droitwich Canal

Entrance to the Droitwich Canal

So Monday morning saw us turning on to the Droitwich Canal. It has proved to be a pretty Canal with many differences. The first 3 locks had a lock keeper. There were also side pounds, so the water was let out the side to part empty the lock before closing those paddles and opening the gate paddles as usual. We then turned into Droitwich Marina to do the washing.

After lunch we came back out on to the canal to be met with a staircase of 2 locks. Followed by another single lock. All of these being narrow locks.  We then went under the M5. This time under the motorway we had to take some things off the roof to get under. A short respite on a short stretch of the River Salwarpe brought us to Barge Lock on the edge of Vine Park in Droitwich Spa. This is a broad lock with a swing bridge in the middle just to make it more interesting! Another 2 swing bridges followed then finally we found a very nice mooring in the town for the night.

This morning on the River Severn

 Yesterday we worked the remaining 8 broad locks down to the Severn, being lucky enough to share with a hire boat with 5 guys on board. So for me a relaxing afternoon.  This is where we spent the night. Today we have spent the time returning up the 8 locks to moor the same place we left yesterday!
Tomorrow we are heading back to Droitwich Marina to leave Falcon while we go to Hereford for the weekend, by car!

The Boat and Railway

Spent a while here!

In the end we stayed at Stoke Wharf until this morning. Spent quite a bit of time in the Boat and Railway. Only to use their internet of course. Nothing to do with the beer and the food!  Paul managed to do an update on his Mac book whilst I was downloading Line of Duty. Lovely pub, very friendly with a good atmosphere.
Over the weekend there was a steam and vintage rally being held just next to our mooring. Yesterday we went for a look round. We chatted for a while to a gentleman called Trevor who had built his own motor home. A Coaster Tremor. We ended up inviting him and his wife, June, on board for a cuppa.
Weather much better today. We have cruised 6 locks down and are now moored near the entrance to the Droitwich Canal which is tomorrow's destination.

1 Day - 29 Locks!

Lock 57, first of the day

We were very lucky yesterday with the weather, a beautiful warm spring day. We set off about 9.30, making only one stop for coffee by the reservoir. Breaking out the deckchairs for the first time this year.

Coffee by the reservoir

So lunch wasn't until about 3! Most of the locks were empty! But we did meet a couple of boats coming the other way. Much quieter day today. Maximum of 6 locks or we may just stay here at Stoke Wharf.

Enjoying the sunshine

1 Day - 29 Locks!

Lock 57, first of the day

We were very lucky yesterday with the weather, a beautiful warm spring day. We set off about 9.30, making only one stop for coffee by the reservoir. Breaking out the deckchairs for the first time this year.

Coffee by the reservoir

So lunch wasn't until about 3! Most of the locks were empty! But we did meet a couple of boats coming the other way. Much quieter day today. Maximum of 6 locks or we may just stay here at Stoke Wharf.

Enjoying the sunshine

Back on the cut!

Tardebigge top lock

We had a really good time in Devon. Firstly seeing Vicar and Janner off at Ilfracome and watching them arrive in Plymouth 4 days later. Managed to catch up with quite a few people. We travelled back on Sunday, having lunch at Cribbs Causeway with Carole en route. We set off from the marina after lunch today. Our trip was through 2 tunnels and top lock at Tardebigge. Only another 29 locks to go tomorrow!

Taking a break

As ever time has flown by and I meant to update this before we left. We are now in Plymouth and will catch up with as many of you as we can. We are here for a week and am sure that as usual the time will fly by. We both have some medical appointments to catch up on too, so lots to fit in!
Falcon is secured safely in Alvechurch Marina, on the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, where we arrived on Easter Monday, having returned to the end of the North Stratford Canal. On the way we felt obliged to visit Wedges again for one of their wonderful breakfasts and to buy some sausages for later!

Couldn't wait to start!

 We traveled through Wast Hill Tunnel in on Sunday mooring at Hopwood for the night. As it was still early in the day we decided to walk to Hopwood Service Station just off the M42. We know how to have a good time! I was hoping for a Cotton Traders, but we were out of luck! Got free wi-fi though!
Well won't be back here for a while so TTFN