Tuesday 14th May 2019



Waking early, the starboard side of the boat was washed and polished and the hull sides touched up. The mushroom vents were also polished but the chrome is beginning to look tatty. The bases of these we have already decided are going to be painted when the roof is done in September, but something might also have to be done with the mushrooms themselves. Very disappointing on a boat that is not yet a year old.

To give the paint a chance to set before moving off, we had breakfast and then went for a walk. Tibberton is a quiet suburb of Worcester of no great interest. The pub that has closed down has the unusual name of “Speed the Plough”, said to come from the saying “God Speed the Plough, To Haste the Harvest”. Never heard of a pub with that name before. 








Beyond Tibberton a railway comes alongside the canal and is then never far away until Hanbury Wharf is reached. The village of Oddingley is passed. In 1806 the vicar, George Parker, tried to raise tithes from the parishioners but this was met with violent protests and he was shot.

Dunhampstead Tunnel was passed through, a two-way tunnel with no towpath, then the tiny village of Shernal Green before a long line of permanently moored boats before Hanbury Junction with the Droitwich Canal.

With difficulty, we went alongside Hanbury Wharf. The businesses here must lose an awful lot of trade with there being nowhere to properly tie up with boats all along the canal side. We called in to the chandlery, primarily for black satin paint but they didn’t have any. They have ordered some for us for delivery tomorrow.

We passed the junction with the Droitwich Canal and winded in the junction, mooring immediately after. After mooring we went to the canal side pub. Their 7-day carvery looked so good that we returned in the evening for dinner. 4 meats, 14 vegetables, £11.95. Now there’s good value.



Weather: a lovely day, sunny and warm.



Day Total: 0 locks; 4 miles; 1 Tunnel; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.4

Overall Total: 489 locks; 891 miles; 43 tunnels; 11 Swing Bridges; 3 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 582.7



  

   


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