Wednesday 15th May 2019



The port side of the boat was washed and polished and made ready for painting the hull side. It has been a long time since this side has been against the bank and the marks and scratches left from the Birmingham and Stratford canals able to be treated.

It was a glorious day and we walked down the Droitwich Canal as far as the tunnel beneath the M5 motorway which we had heard so much about. The Droitwich Canal was only reopened as a through route in 2012. It was certainly not what we were expecting, it is really nice. Exceptionally well maintained with the grass almost manicured and lots of wild flowers planted. Most of the route of the canal at this side of Droitwich had been abandoned and filled in and the restoration was a major task. No provision had been made when the M5 was built for restoration of the canal and so the canal passes below the canal using the River Salwarpe culvert which is very low. The tunnel roof slopes downwards and so is much lower on the far side. There is a height gauge before the bridge but apparently many boats are caught out because the gauge is much lower than the tunnel top at this end and they enter only to get stuck as they proceed.  We have been told to have full water tanks to lower the front end, take note of the river level which runs into the canal just before the tunnel, and be aware of any boats behind that are going to empty the lock which raises the water level in the pound.








We returned via Hanley Wharf to see if the paint had arrived. The chandlery does not open on a Wednesday and so had arranged delivery to the New and Used Boat Company next door who told us it had not yet been delivered.

Disappointed, we returned to the boat. We went back at 4:30 just before closing time but again, no paint delivery. This has scuppered our plans somewhat so we decided to overstay on the mooring and try again tomorrow. Peeved as well, as we had paid a next day delivery charge.

The mooring here is a prime spot looking towards the Droitwich Canal junction and yet there are very few boats. It should be very quiet too, but we have crows nesting in the trees on both sides of us and they are noisy buggers morning and evening, they are also shitting all over the newly polished cabin side.



Weather: a glorious day. Warm and sunny.


Comments

  1. UnknownMay 19, 2019 at 2:50 PM

    Blooming crows ! Who ordered them? xx Hope you are both well Donna x

    ReplyDelete
  2. nb Bridge StreetMay 22, 2019 at 1:50 AM

    Doing very well Donna thanks.
    Hoping all's well your end.

    ReplyDelete

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