Into the marina

Monday 23^rd October; Hanbury junction to Droitwich Spa marina

Rain wasn’t forecast, so we did more packing and set off at 9.30, intending to arrive at the marina as the office opened.

Rounding the junction

As I started preparing the first lock, Ben the volunteer arrived, nice and early.  He had driven in across the Severn at Holt Fleet and said the river there is really high.  We are so glad we hadn’t decided to come back to Droitwich that way!  We would have had to turn round before we got to Stourport and come all the way back to Aldersley junction, probably arriving at Shortwood tunnel after the tree had come down.  At the time of writing (31^st October), there is still no news on when the canal will re-open after the tree and landslide have been cleared.

At least the Salwarpe has gone down now

As is usual at the Hanbury locks I used the steps to get back on board below the bottom before we turned into the marina and straight onto the wharf.

Thanks Ben

We filled up with diesel and did a pumpout before moving round to our berth, which is conveniently close to the shower block and parking.  There seemed to be much more to do than in previous years – I can’t think why that should be.  Dave had to spend some time washing the boat sides nearer the stern where the wet and gritty centre lines had left a muddy mess.  And as the starboard side didn’t get washed earlier in the trip he did the whole of that side, which was next to the pontoon.

Winter berth

It was mid-afternoon before we left for home.  The flooded Avon was easily visible from the M5, with the spire of Bredon church on its hill identifying the shot.

A bit fuzzy at 70 mph

Half a mile and 3 locks.

 

I see that the Toll House at King’s Norton is now available to rent at £1800 per month.

 

Trip stats

59 miles, 5 furlongs of narrow canals with 81 narrow locks.  Tividale aqueduct and 7 tunnels; Wolverhampton (109 yards), Coseley (360 yards), Galton (122 yards), Edgbaston (105 yards), Wast Hill (2726 yards), Shortwood (614 yards) and Tardebigge (580 yards) – a total of 2 miles, 5 furlongs underground (Canalplan).

Canals; Trent and Mersey, Staffs and Worcester, BCN (Main Line, Wolverhampton Level, Gower branch), Worcester and Birmingham, Droitwich Junction.