We went for a walk after out tea in the cooling heat of the evening. We went to the Talbot on High Street for a wet and tried a couple of Craddock's of Stourbridge beers, Crazy Sheep and Monarchs Way, which I preferred. A nice old pub with a chatty crowd in. We went to Gardener's on the other side of Vine Park on the way home. I wish we hadn't. They only had one beer on, Wainwright, and that was awful.
We walked up to Morrison's from the basin in the morning and once back we set off, but not far, just to the water point on the outside of the basin. Helen was getting worried that we would have to moor next to the boat in the picture. It hadn't got a mark on it. I reckon they must just get a crane and lift it out and then back in the water where they are going and repeat. Either that or be neurotic about not getting a scratch on it all the time. The Church in the distance is St. Augustine's.
As we were taking water two boats passed and one left the basin to head towards the Severn. We thought that the first two would pair up on the double locks and we hoped that the boat in front would go down all the way too, but it was the charity boat Pamela May II and was only going to the first lock and back. It was breaking no records and the reeds, which are plentiful on the barge canal mean't that the views are limited.
There are eight locks between Droiteich and the River Severn and they are double to take the Severn Trows that traded up to the town for salt. They are quite heavy and long to work on your own, but it was a lovely day. This was quite a picturesque one too.
Only occasionally did the views open up, but to be honest the shade from the trees was very pleasant.
This is Linacre bridge and one of the only original bridges built by James Brindley. The barge canal was opened in 1771, but the Junction canal, from Droitwich to Hanbury Junction not until 1852. The bridge is quite graceful I think, partly I suppose as it wide beam width.
It took longer to get to the river than we had thought, but it was a lovely day to be on the Severn. Here we are just leaving the Hawford Junction locks and heading north on a very quiet river.
It was a pleasure to be messing about on a boat on the river on a day like today. Little shade mind, but plenty of drinks and watch the world go by.
The tower of Holt Castle peeps over the trees. There was a castle here built by the Normans and in the Domeday Book of 1086. This tower replaces that older building in the late 14th Century. It was more a fortified manor house then. It eventually came to the Beauchamp Family that became the Earls of Warwick. At the same time a little chapel of St. Martins was built nearby. It is still a private residence.
There soon follows Holt Lock with the road bridge. Just before it is the Holt Fleet pub that was doing good business. We had caught up with these old fellers on the boat that were enjoying their trip and life aboard their boat. A bit different to Sheffield where they were from.
A little further on I saw some ribs in the water and as we passed the sun meant that I could see that it looked like the stern of an old Severn trow as it was wide and broad.
Next was Lincombe Lock and again we shared with the same boat again. This time we were on the outside so we were away first and first at the Stourport double staircase.
Coming up to Stourport Marina I saw the stern of an old ship that could only war built. It has had a lot of work done to ruin it (make it more useful for the owner). At the bow was the real name. Vic boats were built in large numbers in WWII as work a day boats for supplying fleets in port etc (VIC for victualing). VIC 99 was actually built by Harkers inland at Knottingley on the Aire and Calder Canal in 1945. It was fitted out down in Hull before being completed in July 1945 and went to work around Scottish Ports. In 1946 it was transferred to the reserve list and stayed in Rosyth. By 1968 it was sold off and was bought for scrap, but before it happened it was sold on to become a restaurant in Stourport. In 1977 it was set ablaze by arsonists and severely damaged. It was sold again in 1980 but nothing happened and in 1984 it was sold by the Admiralty Marshal to get dues recovered. At this time the the engine and boiler were removed and later on cabins were built in the hold and then this ugly top hamper was added. You may know VIC boats better as Clyde Puffers that worked around the coast, canals and islands of Scotland.
As we left the last lock first we were at the double staircase narrow locks at Stourport first. I dropped Helen on the pontoon and we were soon swinging into the entrance. Easy today with little current.
The pound between the two pairs of double locks is always a test as they managed to make sure it was just about impossible for a 70 footer to get round. I assume they put the bow in the lock tails and pulled the stern around as the easiest and quickest way of getting the job done.
The journey through the basins is always fun, and I always think I have gone the wrong way! And of course with it being about 18:00 there was nowhere to moor down there so despite a near mutiny from Helen after a long day we went up one more lock. Helen thought there was a flight of six she would have to do, but no, just one. We were soon moored up and had our tea before heading to the Dark Star pub just down the towpath and replaced a few milliliters of fluids. I had a lovely Wye Valley Stout and a very refreshing Three Tuns Ginger beer. Back to the boat and watched the end of the Commonwealth Games. Ossie Osbourne looked like he had come back from the dead, which I suppose is apt for the genre. All in all it seems that the whole 11 days have been a great success.
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