Back to the marina

Saturday March 31^st; Oddingley to Droitwich Spa marina

With the weather a great deal calmer than it has been for the last few days, before 9 we were up and ready for the cruise to the marina in lovely sunshine.

Oddingley bridge no 2 in the sunshine

I walked Jess along the towpath to Dunhampstead, ensuring we got back on board before the tunnel, as the towpath at the other end is still closed because of the bank collapse.  Jess particularly enjoyed the walk as we took her ball, with which she obsessed.

Yesterday afternoon when I walked her I had spent most of the time looking for one of Dave’s gloves which was dropped yesterday - yes, it had been warm enough to take them off! - but with no luck.  Of course I was looking on the ground.  So I had given it up for lost, however ....

Someone had picked it up out of the mud and stuck it on a twig, which was kind of them but it was sheer chance I was looking in the right direction!   Moral, when looking for something you’ve dropped, don’t forget to look up and around as well as down!

Hanbury locks are best operated without a dog around; not only are they deep, but the busy Saltway runs less than 20 yards from the towpath and there is no fence - just a gappy hedge, a few trees and a sloping bank.  Luckily the volunteers were just arriving, so apart from waiting for a boat to come up we had a quick and easy passage down.

Not very exciting down here is it Dad?

There was a bit of a breeze this morning, but not enough to make manoeuvring round the swan island difficult.

NB Simply Loveleh has a great view and keeps track of the nest's progress

Dave brought us smoothly into our berth.  Eric next door was out on the stern of his boat Viking and proudly showed off his newly completed electric propulsion system – he converted from a normal diesel engine and is keen to start his summer trip up to the Macc to give it a proper trial. 

We hadn’t planned to leave for home until late afternoon, as it’s Easter Saturday today and apparently Thursday and Good Friday had been terrible for those hopeful souls driving to Devon.  But the traffic didn’t seem too bad when we checked Google maps at lunchtime, so we left at 3 and had one of the easiest trips home we have ever had.  At Bredon Hill the Avon, unsurprisingly, was still flooded.

The course of the river is on the right, the church is further right up the hill, out of view

Jess has settled well into her role as Boat Dog no 3, though training is still needed on when she is allowed off the boat, not jumping on other ones, and how to behave around locks.

What now Mum?  Why can’t I go and visit all those other boats or run on that big grassy area?

3 miles, 3 locks today.  Trip stats; 14 miles 2¼ furlongs, 22 narrow locks, Dunhampstead tunnel x 2.  Great to be back afloat!