Pesky swans at Gregory’s Mill

Friday 28^th March; Oddingley to Lansdown Park, Worcester

Though it had rained overnight it had stopped by getting-up time.  But the rain meant I could finally find  the source of the leak in the cratch cover after I had re-proofed it last year - it is on the stitching of the window panel, the cover of which is kept closed when we leave the boat so it had been dry all winter. 

Quite a puddle

We were up reasonably early and on our way by 9, needing to get down towards Worcester near to Lowesmoor Basin, where we hope to get our leisure batteries replaced – we need someone younger and stronger, maybe in possession of a winch, to get the originals out.  In chilly, cloudy but dry weather we reached the top of Offerton locks by the thundering M5.  We shared the work in our normal way and with locking ahead we made good progress even though four of the flight were completely empty, two with a bottom gate swung open for good measure.  At the bottom lock a boat was approaching – only the second on the move we’ve seen so far this trip – and the crew came up to help.  They had spent the winter in Diglis and were now on the move to Mercia.  With the top lock of Tardebigge out of action for some time, their favoured route isn’t available, and with Bevere Lock on the Severn also closed at the moment, they can’t go up-river to Stourport from Worcester.  Their only option is to go all the way up to Hanbury junction then down the Droitwich canals to the Severn, adding many miles and locks to their journey. 

The rumour at Droitwich is that the Grade II listed Tardebigge top lock** could be out for most of the season – it is going to impact many people’s plans for the summer as the only way to the rest of the network is via the river Severn.  I feel sorry for the poor hire companies – Cafwyn Cruises, based at Droitwich marina, has lost a three-week booking because of the stoppage and is now offering a top-spec electric boat hire at a big discount.  ABC and the share boats from Canal Boat Club at Lowesmoor Basin, and Black Prince at Stoke Prior, will all be affected by the closure.  Our ‘escape’ in a few weeks’ time will depend on the Severn not being in flood.   

There was time to make a pot of coffee as we cruised down to Tolladine lock, where a top paddle is still out of action.

At least the lockside damson trees are in bloom, though you can only see the smaller tree to the right of the ratchet.  I wasn't thinking of the blossom when I took the photo.

Tolladine and the following locks were all nearly full, so we continued making good progress.  At Bilford Top Lock a local group, the Worcester Craftivists, fed up with dog mess, have created a small artwork.

A bit small though, how many offenders will stop to read it?

Then we reached Gregory’s Mill locks.  As we worked through the top lock I could see that the bottom lock, a hundred yards or so further on, was open and the local swans were hanging around.  A passer-by confirmed they were in the lock itself, and he had opened the top gate fully so that they could get out, but they weren’t budging.  Before we left the top lock we made sure Jess was securely shut in on the stern deck, and I armed myself with some bread before walking along the towpath.  They were very reluctant to move, and they stopped taking the bread when a dog went by, but eventually I tempted them out so Dave could safely get into the lock.

Don’t you dare follow the boat!  Bad swans!

Then it was a rush to get the gate closed – they were following the boat and one nearly made it back into the lock through the narrowing gap.  I shouted at it, making it stop just long enough to let me finish closing the gate.  Phew!  We dropped down with no further problems.  It was now nearly lunchtime, so we stopped at Lansdown Park just past bridge 11.  After lunch Dave called Lowesmoor Basin and booked us in for 9 am tomorrow.  Now the important question was, do we continue to Diglis basin, turn and moor at the Commandery, which we often do?  Less than a mile and one lock to do in the morning.  But the wind is strong, we have no bow thruster (Dave is now pretty sure the batteries are buggered) and winding at Diglis is tricky at the best of times.  So we stayed put, less than half a mile from Lowesmoor.  Dave cleaned the engine hole while I took Jess along the towpath to Wickes for some WD-40 and 3-in-1.  Luckily for her there is a pet store next to Wickes, so some tasty treats were bought, then a lovely gentleman in Wickes happened to have treats in his pocket.  Lucky girl.

The wind finally started to drop after dark and it was very cold outside.

Just over 5 miles, 12 locks.  Some of that paddle gear was extremely heavy.

**Tardebigge news; the Boaters’ Update has further information and an informative video.   As the lock is a listed structure, CRT has to apply for Listed Building consent for every step of the investigation and repair.  The most hopeful date for re-opening is the end of August.