Sinking to Stourport.

Before setting off we went to Sainsbury's to fill up with heavy grub and stuff as it was so handy. We were soon off however and although the clouds were low there was no rain.

Looking back from Kiddermister Lock you have agreat view of the Church. The mooring locks nice but the lock is next to a very bust main road so is not nearly as quiet as the mooring next to the supermarket.

Just before the lock is a sign that does what it says on the plaque!

After the lock you come to Weavers Wharf  where this old carpet factory has been converted to a Debengham's. There are more moorings down here that locked fine to stay over at.

Once again the River Stour butts up against the sandstone edge of it's flood plain and here at  Caldwall Lock it adds a picturesque touch to the picture.

We passed several hire boats on their way up and there were a few spots of rain to add to the fun. It was also quite windy but rather that make things difficult it just made things cold. However we were soon in Stourport. We were desperate for water and so we had to drop down the ,lock to get to the water point where as the visitor moorings are above the lock.

Looking back to the visitor moorings from the lock.

We dropped down and as we did a boat moved off and we spun round so the our filler was closest to the tap. As it rurns out we were on some visitor moorings so after filling up we just stayed there. We were going to move back but another boat filled in astern. By the time we had had lunch the rain had started, but despite this we decided to go for a walk. After all it was only intermittent! 

Facing the River Severn by the barge locks is the Tontine Hotel. It was built a consortium when Stourport was a destination for people to come to visit, or pass through on their travels. It had 100 beds and a ball room. The name derives from a type of life assurance. It is now apartments

These are the barge locks down to the River Severn. They were built about 1771 by Brindley.

Stourport was a bit of a destination for those from the Black Country, especially when the light railway came to town. It is still busy with visitors as can be seen by the fun fair. Not quite Blackpool Pleasure Beach but a sight to see none the less.

We walked in to town through light rain and found a butchers for the purchase of a pork pie and then headed to the 'Black Star' pun that we had seen from the canal. It seems to be owned by Wye Valley Brewery from Stoke Lacy. I was told that it was the only pub called 'Black Star'and I have no reason to disbelieve it. I asked where the name had come from but he didn't know. After a couple of pints, an HPA and a Butty Bach, we decided to move on to the Holy Bush where there were several beers on but I tried the Black Country Brewery from Lower Gornal. I started with a 'Pig on the Wall' followed by a 'Bradley's Finest Golden' or BFG. All were fine but Batham's is still my favourite from this part of the world, So far at least. The Holly Bush was a nice friendly pub and we had a good chat before heading back to the boat. It was so gloomy, wet and cold that we actually lit the fire.