Saturday 18th May 2019



Phil and Michelle with Murphy arrived at 8:30, having travelled from Bognor Regis that morning. A 3¾ hour drive. A long way but it was really good to see the two of them and we always appreciate people making the effort to visit us. Michelle had brought many M&S treats with her and not a few bottles. Hhhhmmm.

After a full English we walked down the Droitwich Canal as far as the M5 motorway. It really is a beautiful canal and full credit to all the volunteers who maintain it.

Back at the boat we made ready and had a slow cruise heading in the Birmingham direction. We only travelled 3 miles, doing the 6 locks of the Astwood Flight and Stoke Bottom Lock. Brenda and Phil did most of the locking, while Michelle and myself stopped on the boat.

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is very remote and tranquil, passing through lovely countryside that is interrupted a few times with busy roads and motorways, and the occasional sleepy village throughout most of its length. 

The lockkeeper’s cottage at Astwood Lane Bridge was particularly attractive with well stocked and maintained canal-side gardens.






Passing through Stoke Bottom Lock, we reached the winding hole just above it where we intended to turn. The whole canal was full of Black Prince hire boats on their turn around day and the winding hole had two boats moored on one side of it and another on the other side. Phil had done all the steering so far and executed a perfect turn, without using the bow thruster.

Passing back through the lock, we stopped at the water point to fill up but then decided to visit the pub, so pulled in. We had a pint on the canal side terrace with every intention of moving on but, back at the boat we decided to stay.

We had steak dinner and lots of chat. 



Weather: a lovely day.

  

Day Total: 8 locks; 3 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.9

Overall Total: 497 locks; 898 miles; 45 tunnels; 11 Swing Bridges; 3 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 588.2


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