Monday 13^th May 2019

We had a stop/start kind of morning. Firstly, we went backwards down the canal to the water point where we watered up and took the opportunity to do some washing. There is Elsan disposal in Diglis Basin but no rubbish disposal so our rubbish was put in the marina dwellers bins. A bit naughty but there was nowhere else to put it. There was a pair of swans nesting right on the water point, making the whole process difficult. Vicious creatures when they are nesting or have young.

We then moved through two locks and tied up to do some shopping at a retail park. There were two moorings at the park but a boat had moored right in the middle and not left any room, so the boat had to be held against a ledge on the opposite side, while we each went shopping separately. Brenda went to Asda and I revisited Wickes for wood to build a platform for coal on the roof. While stopped here a pair of swans passed by with their cygnets, the first we have seen this year.

We then moved again just 100 yards and reversed into Lowesmoor Basin, the Worcester hire base. Here we fuelled up and bought a gas cylinder, the gas having to be changed a few days ago. Also managed to get new seals for the fuel water separator filter, always handy to have a set. The base here manages, amongst others, ABC Alvechurch boats. The manager was from Birkenhead but we also had many acquaintances in common from my time spent volunteering at the ABC base in Anderton. Small world the canal can be, said to be the longest village in Britain.

Leaving Worcester behind, we passed up the locks and gradually the scene became more rural. We had wanted to moor at bridge 22 in countryside before the A449 and the M5 encroached. However, we found there was a big gypsy camp there so we continued on, coming to the six Offerton Locks which we had wanted to leave until tomorrow.

Passing through the first, there was a boat just leaving the second who left the gates open for us, so we just found ourselves carrying on. The Offerton Locks are pretty but very heavy to the extent many of the paddles were defeating Brenda, very unusual. So we got ourselves into a rhythm were we did the locks between us and passed through them very quickly.

     

Offerton Locks

The canal passes under the M5 immediately after the top lock but, around the next bend you would never know it had been there.

We moored ½ mile further on at the village of Tibberton. A seemingly long and hard day, but very enjoyable. There were supposed to be two pubs here but one was closed and the other shut down, so we had to make do with Bridge Street Ale House.  

Weather: lovely hot sunny day

Day Total: 14 locks; 6 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 5.4

Overall Total: 489 locks; 887 miles; 42 tunnels; 11 Swing Bridges; 3 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 580.3