A very pleasant cruise in the sun.

We were second to leave Netherwich Basin and we were just turned round to the end of the pontoons and moored up to take water. Whilst there one of the boats on the moorings told us that the River Severn was closed due to high water levels. We thought it odd as there has been a notice about low water levels for several weeks now! As we were going the other way it didn't affect us directly. After Netherwich Basin you are running through Vines Park and soon at the first of three swing bridges that require a Waterways key. The middle bridge looks like it is secured open permanently though.

Vine's Park swing bridge in the sun.

Here the canal has left the River Salwarpe that has been used to bypass a part of the canal that was blocked.

The culvert under the M5 motorway was not really designed to take the canal but it must have saved millions when they found it usable. The headroom is very restricted so beware, especially in wet weather.

There is another lock and then a staircase pair, all of which are new. We decided to pop into Droitwich Spa Minerva where we took a bottle of gas and filled up with diesel. Apparently it has just gone down to 74.75p per litre domestic. We were also allowed to fill up with water as we had done two lots of washing as it is definitely drying weather. After the marina there is another three locks but as these have working side pounds there are voluntary lock keepers here every day of the week. After the three locks you are straight into Hanbury Junction.

The turn is quite tight and luckily there was nothing coming. In fact we have only seen three moving boats today so we must be out of sync with the hire boats on the Avon or Stourport Rings

After the junction there is a pound of around five miles and Helen took the opportunity to try out our new plank come bench seat. It seems to work well, so she tells me.

Approaching Dunhampstead Tunnel, all 236 yards of it. It is two way working but we didn't meet any one.

Soon the canal starts to drop down to  Worcester and there are 6 locks at Offerton. We were luck that two of the boats we met we crossed with on the Offerton flight.

 Helen passing the Offerton Bottom Lock boarding step. The footbridge over at the tail of the lock carries rugby players from Worcester Warriors over to the training fields. Helen was a bit miffed that the season had just finished!

Our progress down Bilford Bottom Lock was watched closely by Mr. Robin.

The tow path is busy and in the bright sun it was a very pleasant day travelling into Worcester. If the river was closed we thought that moorings towards the centre of Worcester would be full so we kept our eye open for likely spots. We nearly stopped by the cricket club but carried on in hope.

As you enter the centre of town the railway to Foregate Station crosses. The holes in the bridge are to lighten the weight. I seem to remember that there is a similar bridge on the Wolverhampton 21. Through the bridge is the roving bridge where you enter the hire boat yard etc. I expect that it was a transhipment basin at one time. We found a spot with rings not far above Blockhouse Lock. We were able to get the washing hung out and it will be dry very soon. It will do for another day so we can have a wander round the town.