Cruising on the Staffs & Worcs
The rain had stopped for part of the night, but then started again heavily around 6:00. I was a little conerned that the river levels would come up too much and we wouldnt be able to get back. This part of the severn often becomes un-navigable after several days of heavy rain around the headwaters
Arrived in Kidderminster at about 13:30 with friends Jan & Mike after being stuck in traffic on the A449 for quite a while. The plan for the weekend was to go down to Worcester for Ladies Day at the races. We were due to meet various other friends there who would be coming by car.
It took just two hours to get back to our home mooring. Another super day weatherwise, but unfortunately it’s time to go home. Back in 4 days though. The wretched ducks had been active and made a mess all over the pontoon again. We had to spend 20min cleaning it all off before we could
Left home in two cars, left one at Slimbridge and then on up to Kidderminster. Unloaded and went to start the engine, turned over OK, but wouldn’t fire. I suspected that the cylinder glow plugs were not coming on. A poke about in the engine to tighten up some wiring and bingo, we were off.
It rained quite a bit in the night and the morning started off very cloudy. We were in no real hurry to get back but thought that the weather might get worse so set off around 9:00. Quite a pleasant trip, though a bit cold, until we got to just short of Kidderminster then it
This morning, whilst we were still in bed, there was a terrific thunderstorm – really loud, and heavy rain. It eventually passed and we got up and had to make a desicion about staying put or moving. A guy on the boat moored next to us said that he had heard a weather forecast predicting
Away just before 8am. It started off really sunny but the clouds thickened and we even had a few spots of rain. We needed a pumpout so stopped at Lime Kiln at Compton (after passing Granny Buttons at Autherley – no sign of Andrew). I also wanted to top upthe deisel but they had run
Lovely day again today, cool going along but wonderfully warm in the sunshine. Before we left Tixall at 11:30 I drilled out and re-tapped the screw holes for the pumpout fitting. It had been leaking (rainwater in, not ‘contents’ out!) and needed resealing but the brass fixing screws sheared off when I tried to remove
Not a bad day again today, none of the rain that was forecast. The sun has been almost shining and although the canal was very busy with some waiting at locks we got to Tixall Wide by 2:00. We passed Granny Buttons at br 98, I twittered Andrew, but no reply. Lots of boats at
Up and away by 7:20. Passed ‘Uncle Mort’ about 1/4 mile ahead of us – no sign of life. Does anyone know why the bridge at the tail of Awbridge lock is like this? It’s unique on the canal. Lovely day today, sun all day. Sat out in the evening sunshine with a glass of