Saturday 9 September 2017

Data issues but sorted now

Saturday 9th September
I haven't done a blog for about 9 days now as we had data problems which we have now resolved!
After leaving the Black Country Museum on Friday 1st September we headed back to Birmingham for a couple of days. We had a good day at the museum and the fish & chips lived up to their reputation!
On our way we passed this boat which was our second hire boat from Norbury Wharf!
A straight run all the way back to Birmingham.
We managed to get moored close to the Sea Life centre, in the evening we had a walk to a few pubs and took a pizza back to the boat with us.
On Sunday morning we left our mooring and stopped at the services to top up the water etc, it was quite windy as we were leaving the services but once we were on our way we were sheltered by trees and out of the wind.
Heading through Gas Street Basin.
We had an uneventful journey, but as we were approaching the bridge at Kings Norton junction, we had to stop as a boat came from the Stratford canal so we reversed and once the boat had passed us it was so shallow it took ages to get under way again. When we got to Wasthill tunnel (2726 yards) I went down below with Jaz while Kev took the boat through, we were hoping to moor at Alvechurch visitor moorings but they were full so we carried on passed the hire boat centre at Alvechurch and moore around the corner.
On Monday 4th September we left early to tackle the 30 locks at Tardebigge! We followed a boat all the way down so was a bit hard going but we had a good system going with Kev staying on the boat while I did the locks, I went ahead each time to set the lock & Kev closed the gates as he left the previous lock, when we finally got down the last lock we managed to get moored opposite the Queens head pub. We booked a table for a meal for 6.30 pm, I was hoping to have a Beef & mushroom pie which I had had the last time we were here but unfortunately they don't do pies anymore. Nevertheless we had two good meals so we weren't disappointed.

Kev mopping the boat with The Queens Head opposite.
It was raining on Tuesday morning so we waited for it to stop and left at 11.30am. When we were at the junction for the Droitwich canal we turned right and approached the first lock of 3 locks in the staircase where there was a lockie there to help us down the 1st lock and also 2 more lockies to help us down the next 2.
We hadn't been here since we collected Rock & Roll from the marina here, where George & Carol helped us up these locks.
Leaving the last of the staircase locks.
Droitwich Marina.
When we got to the next few locks we moored on the lock landing of the first one while Kev dropped the solar panels & took the small chimney off the roof as we would be going under the M5 motorway and it is very very low!
 Here we go! 2" to spare
 Glad there isn't a boat coming the other way!
Nearly through.
We carried on and when we got to Droitwich there was a double lock to do which had a swing bridge inside it which had to be opened before opening the lock gates to enter and closed after leaving! There was 2 more swing bridges to open & close before we got to the moorings at Netherwich basin. The moorings here are 48 hours & secure, you need a BW key to get in & out of. We stayed here and went for some shopping to a Waitrose which was a 10 minute walk. 
Looking across the basin.
On Thursday morning we left about 8am and headed towards the River Severn, the Droitwich canal is quite narrow in places with lots of vegetation along both sides.
Waiting at this lock for workers to leave it.
Not much room.
We stopped for a bite to eat at Hawford visitor moorings just before Hawford lock 2 to let Jaz have a walk . When we were ready to leave there was a hire boat just leaving too so we shared the next 2 locks and then parted ways as they were turning left on the river Severn to Worcester and we turned right towards Stourport.
When we arrived in the basin at Stourport we moored on the 24 hour moorings close to the services. On Friday morning I put a wash on and we then pulled forward onto the water point to top the water up, Kev had gone to empty the cassette on Thursday when we moored but it was out of order but when we were moored getting water a man was at the services and had sorted the Elsan which had been blocked, so Kev managed to get our cassette emptied. While Kev was putting the hosepipe away after the water tank was full, I walked up to the lock as there was a boat in coming down so Kev was able to let go and come straight into the lock. The weather was miserable, it rained most of the way and we moored last night before Wolverly lock.
This morning it wasn't too bad and the sun came out so we got ready to leave while the weather was good, I walked up to the lock with Jaz while Kev brought the boat into the lock. After Kev had come up the lock and I had closed the gates betook the boat while I walked with Jaz for about a mile and then got back on board.
 Debdale Lock

 Jaz waiting for the boat to come up so she can get on.

Lovely Lock side property at Whittington lock
As we were nearing the visitor moorings at Kinver the clouds started to form and we managed to get moored and all sorted and then the heavens opened and it threw it down with rain. We have had showers heavy at times and sunshine too. Glad were not going further today.




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