Another beautiful day

Last day on Averina for this trip. We've woken up to a lovely blue sky, very peaceful. David has cooked up a fine full English breakfast which we finish off by 10.00am and make our way back to Droitwich Spa.
They have finished off the shower block and road around the Marina now so we have moored Averina in her own mooring spot near the big oak tree. Most of the other boats have moved to their spots too and even though there are the same amount of boats it seems to look fuller.

Go Jen!

10.02 Steve catches the train from the little single track station at Alvechurch, back to London. We set off for our trip of 30 locks down The Tardebigge - oh yes we love it so much that we're doing it again.

3.40 and we're back down at Tardebigge Bottom Lock near the Queens Head pub just beyond bridge 48 opposite Martin who seems to have a new friend so we have called him Colin.

We did really well coming down the Tardebigge, Jen has proved to be an excellent helms-woman, which has freed David & I up to open the locks and get into a really good rhythm. Dave running on a couple of locks, Jen steering and me filling in the missing bits in the middle - what a team.

Steve got home about 1.30pm which was good going as he started from the middle of nowhere.

David has just told us that we have done 316 locks, over 187 miles, through 22 tunnels since our maiden voyage on Averina on March 18th.

Lovely chicken fajitas cooked up by Jen for supper. Gorgeous warm evening with fantastic sky.

Gold for Mo!

Tom Daley got a Bronze and Mo got his second Gold! Set off at appx 10.00am throught Shortwood tunnel. Stopped at Alvechurch Marina and decide the explore the town which is about a 10 minute walk away. Had Sunday lunch at the Red Lion, Steve said his beef was a little overdone but overall we were all pleased with our choices. Stocked up at the Coop and then walked back to Averina. Steve is feeling a little under the weather so we've dosed him up on Lemsips and he's having a lie down. Not sure if it's hayfever or a cold. Went as far as Hopwood winding hole and filled up with water and disposed of rubbish. Tried several stops for TV signal on the return journey but in the end returned to our morning spot as we knew we had a great signal there.

Had a journey full of wildlife today. Herons, ducklings, swans, signets, orrhens & dragonflies. Didn't see many butterflies though.

Really warm sunny evening. Finished my book "Me before you" in the sunshine with a G&T.

We watched the closing ceremony but Jen and I got a bit spooked by the sheer number of spider crawling around the ceiling. Shut all the windows as that is how they were getting in. Suppose it's that time of year.

Wot no BBQ Bricks?

Saturday 11th August
We've got the Tardebigge 30 to do today so we set off at a timely 9.00am and all being well should get to the top by 12.30 as it usually takes us 3 and a half hours.
We stop after the 29th lock for lunch at 12.25 which equals our record. Job done. Well done team. Spotted a couple of Herons & a little duck family. Late in the season to see such little ones, maybe it's her second brood.

We're all in Olympic Mood and can't help "doing a Usain" when the mood takes us.

Only past 2 boats other boats both going downstream. Tom Daley came 4th in the Semi's so he's in the final tonight. Stopped just before bridge 58 for the evening. Lovely rural spot with fields for a view. Chose a BBQ spot. Very shallow so will have to plank it ashore. David opened the new bucket BBQ only to find (or not to find) it was without charcoal so we'll be having a Grill instead!! Nice bit of ratatouille and Sav Blanc. Lovely sunset and good sky, Steve is taking photos.

Martin

Friday 10th August
We've collected Steve from the station and are on our way to Droitwich Spa for a mini jaunt on Averina. Marina is looking good, possibly a few more boats around and some even moored on the other side now towards the shower block and the big oak tree. On the A417 we saw a cloud that looked like a Westie.

We set off and make our way through 15 locks to Bridge 48 by the Queens Head pub. Very nice evening, G&T and Tom Daley is diving tonight so we'll watch it in the pub. A couple of majestic horses across the canal seem to be keeping an eye on us. Steve has named one "Martin" not quite sure why as he really doesn't look like a Martin.

Monday 16th July

Hanbury Hall Circular Walk

Saturday 14th July

Last day

Wake up on the Droitwich Canal and follow the winding route back to DSM. We are caught up by Phenomenal, the Narrow boat who accompanied us down the Severn. Nice couple - they've been out for 5 weeks and are on their way home. I think Tango would miss us too much if we were gone that long! We pass them moored up by Waitrose in Droitwich, no doubt stocking up for their last days.

Get back to DSM about lunchtime and after a good ol' tidy up and spring clean we leave Averina safely tucked up ......... until the next time :)

Proceed with caution

Woke up and first thing we did was look out of the window only to see the light is red so no going on the river at the moment. I take a walk around to the marker and the river has certainly fallen but not by enough yet.

The yacht club opposite has rather a nice clock tower atop it’s buildings but since we arrived the time has been 4.30 continuously. However at 10.20 we saw the hands whiz round and hooray it is telling the right time!

This morning we checked out the Stourport Chandlery which had many useful bits & bobs that we don’t know how we’ve managed without up until now. Also made quite an expensive purchase of 2 life jackets in the hope that we might soon get ourselves on the river. Talking to an old crusty boatman yesterday realised we would be foolish to go on the river without.

Also stocked up in the Co-op but not sure how many days we are stocking up for!

We had lunch in “The Windlass” café which was very friendly and well decorated with items of river/canal interest. Scampi & chips and toastie & chips with a little Pinot Grigio Blush went down very nicely. Spent time discussing 57 different options if we can’t soon get on the river….. Decide to take a walk along the river leaving the café to check the river levels and notice the guy moored on the river pontoon has gone! Check the gauge and indeed it is JUST in Amber and we notice narrow boats going through the locks so after checking with the British Waterways guy we were given the all clear to "proceed with caution"!

The newly repaired clock strikes 3.00pm as we cast off, for me slightly apprehensively as the river will be a new experience in Averina. New life jackets on.

Gorgeous trip down the river. Running about 2kts apparently. Narrowboat Phenomenal following us through. Onwards down river through Lincombe & Holt locks - Phenomenal went into Holt lock before us and joined another so we had to wait - no worries - just enough time for a cuppa!

Past the Holt Fleet pub where we met family last year. Quite a different aspect when seeing it from the river. The bridge was under scaffolding last year but is now showing off it’s new paint job.

We’ve moored on the Droitwich Canal at Bridge 5 lock 4. Last G&T on Averina tonight after what has been a very successful trip. Well done all 3 of us!

Code Red !

We left Wolvely at 8.00am in order to get to Stourport in good time and get on the Severn.


Winding our way through Kidderminster wasn’t as industrial as we had imagined, in fact various places are being redeveloped and are positively embracing the canal ie Franky & Benny’s & Debenhams! Shortly after we meet up with a walker who is a waterways enthusiast and informs us that the Severn is on code red which means they won’t let anyone on to it.


Once we arrive in the Stourport Basin we join a gaggle of boats filling up with water and sharing river stories. Useful bits of info picked up. Quite a few colourful characters with a variety of narrow boats. We stay here for a while and have lunch then go for a walk around Stourport. Strange place. Lots of beautiful Regency buildings but also a part of town that thinks it’s a seaside harbour and has a funfair & plenty of fish & chip shops. It was very warm walking around town so we treated ourselves to an ice cream.

On our return we visit the British Waterways office to ask about the state of the River. They seemed hopeful we may be able to get on it tomorrow. We think it’s unlikely but I guess they have seen it rise and fall before so know how it works. The BW guy offers us a mooring behind the office, so we check this out and decide it is slightly better than where we are so move Averina just around the corner.

It’s a lovely warm evening so we take a stroll around the basin & along the river and check out the locks we have to go through to enter the river. It’s still on red and we don’t think it’s fallen since this afternoon. Took some photos and we’re joined on one occasion by a Swan family who were after food. I managed to take a few photos before I was hissed at!


Pleasant spot in the basin, we’re moored opposite a row of “Gin Palaces” so quite amusing the mixture of boats here. Crusty old narrow boaters and flashy cruisers.

Staffs & Woofs

Started the day on the Stourbridge Canal just before the Stourton 4 locks. A really lovely stretch of the canal. Leisurely start @ 11.00am after a full english breakfast! After 4 locks we turn left onto the Staffs & Woofs, another delightful stretch. Lots of photo opportunities. Met an elderely couple on the boat behind us "Joli" - himself is 80 and has trouble with Arthtitis. The canal goes through their sons's land so they moor their boat there. They have just moved from a 16 bed house to a 6 bed house so it's quite a crush when family come to stay so they stay on their boat!!

Enterprising lock cottage selling cupcakes. 50p each into an honesty box, very nice thank you!

Kinver is very pretty in fact the whole stretch is very welcome after the rather industrial sprawl of the Birmingham area. We've moored for the night just before bridge 20 / Wolverly Lock. England play in the quarter finals of the Euros tongiht and just incase we can't get a signal on the telly in the boat, we've moored near a pub. We're about a mile from Kidderminster. Tomorrow's plan is to go through Kidderminster & Stourport & stop on the Severn. Day ends with a G&T, some Doritos and a beautiful blue sky.

Little duckling family come to visit. so gorgeous and there is always one of the ducklings is always just a little bit further away than the rest of the flock. We refer to this one as Nick as he was always just infront or just behind but never with us!



And finally at 10.15 we hear the chug chug of an engine going past us and then the sound of heavy rock music! Fantastic! Never seen anyone travelling in the dark before with headlight blazing. I'm sure they had some fists shaken at them at this time of night but it was so funny! Very dangerous at locks though. Go them, how exciting!

Hobbled

Looked on google maps only to see we are moored 5 minutes away from Sainsburys in Merryhill, very convenient as we should now have enough food to last until we get back to Droitwich Spa Marina.
The canal passes high above Merryhill, 3 boats have moored with the whole centre as their vista - David's worst nightmare!



So we're on the Dudly Canal & have 24 locks to do today, the Delph 8 & Stourbridge 16. We meet our first Hobbler on the Delph 8 he is a welcome sight. The blustery wind was horrid and all the locks were set against us. Tipped him the cost of a pint in the West Midlands.

Saw the most gorgeous little ducklings today. Mama and all 7 were perched on a log - we were past them before I could reach for my camera.

Turned left onto the Stourbridge 16 - took us a long long time. Stopped after lock 8 for lunch at about 2.45pm. As luck would have it another boat came up the other way so the last 8 were more or less set for us although some locks leaked,so some of the locks needed filling. Thankfully beyond lock 8 proves to be much more rural at last. Little shop selling ice creams at lock 12 provided refreshment!

Moored up in the countryside before the Stourton 4 at about 6.00pm. Long tiring day.

Birmingham sprawl

2.30pm & we've arrived at "The Waterfront", which is in the Brierley Hill / Merry Hill area, not far from Dudley in the West Midlands.  Purpose built to provide fun & entertainment around the marina.  Good effort.  Today's weather however is drizzly, although it isn't raining now and the temperature is 14C but real feel 9C as there is a 17mph wind so not quite tropical sadly.

This morning we woke to rain again and indeed started off in the rain but thankfully that fizzled to a drizzle and then stopped.  We've motored for about 6 hours just stopping at Bumble Hole (!) to take on more water and deposit our rubbish.  Not the most glamorous routes but it served a purpose to get us here.  Only one lock at Park Head Junction onto the Dudley no.1 canal but it was really deep and I had to use the "anti vandal" key to unlock the locks, which was a first.

First thing this morning there was a little entertainment on the canal as we notice the boat furthest away from us on the other side has come away from its bow moorings and was across the waterway.  No-one seemed to be aware on-board so the first boat that came along gently nudged it out of the way and the guy from the boat behind pulled her back in and moored her securely.  Not long into our journey and we noticed that very boat following us so can only imagine they were still on-board but were completely unaware.  They passed us at Bumble Hole and we noticed they were a group of youngsters so that could explain a lot!!

Just before Bumble Hole we spent 35 minutes travelling through Netherton Tunnel, nearly 2 miles long, it kept us out of the rain but was incredibly cold!  There is the option of Dudley Tunnel of a similar length until we realised that Dudley Tunnel is single file so it's a long wait if there's already a boat coming the other way.

We're moored up now in the Waterfront Development by a Copthorne Hotel and with a Wetherspoons on the other side of the canal so may or may not have a peaceful night!  It's a Friday night after all but that said, the temperatures are not conducive to outdoor antics so hopefully everyone will stay indoors!

We had a very early breakfast so treated oursleves to elevenses of a sausage baguette.  Naughty but nice!

P 1/2

Woke up this morning to rain, so had a nice leisurely lie in and cuppa, followed by melon & muesli for breakfast.  After discovering yesterday we are moored within walking distance of the jewellery quarter we took a walk over there and came back with a purchase.  Very pleased with that!  Averina is still moored between friends and for most of the day, although cloudy the rain stayed away.  Another nice cuppa & catch up on t'internet with emails and such like then we popped out for supper at the "Home-made Burger Co."  Explored Brindley Place a little more and looked inside the Birmingham Symphony Hall which is a huge building.  Raining again so bid a hasty retreat back to Averina and a nice warm cosy boat.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Averina started the day moored on the bend between bridge 57 & 58 on the Worcs & Birmingham Canal.  A particular lovely rural spot.  At 7.00am I was feeding a little family of 5 ducklings.  Mum hangs back so her brood can be fed but I make sure I throw some bread further out for Mum too.  Another Mum stays over the other side of the canal, she has got a really young little family and knows they will get bullied if they try to come over too.  We set off at 9.00am and after Shortwood Tunnel moor at Alvechurch Marina to purchase a new gas cannister.  We moor up against another boat, (which we learn from Darren is perfectly acceptable) Dave pops into the shop and "Darren" comes out and introduces himself and is very keen to help and offer advice.  The morning has really warmed up now so we're keen to get on our way.  Darren phoned Bevere Lock Master who confirmed the Severn is open now but we've just done the Tardebigge so we're not going back that way - well not today anyway!!  On 2 ocassions on this stretch we see a Heron, so I put the camera on the sports setting and take some great shots of him taking off and flying alongside the boat.  We carry on and go through the Wast Hill Tunnel which is almost 2 miles long and takes about 35 minutes and meet another boat about half way through!  We could see their headlamp for quite some time but it's really hard to judge how close it is.  Through Kings Norton and then past Bournville & Cadbury World!  No locks today which is rather nice so we just enjoy motoring along the outskirts of Birmingham - not always the prettiest but lots of activity - lunchtime office walkers, joggers, cyclists etc - past Birmingham Uni and through Edgbaston and then finally into Gas Street.  We had lunch on the move as we wanted to get into Birmingham so we had a chance to find a mooring.  Gentleman on Tardebigge had advised us to pass Gas Street Basin and moor near SeaWorld which is exactly what we have done.  Plenty of space but by the end of the day both sides of the canal are full, so glad we got here early.  We moored Averina - all 58 foot of her in a space 59 foot wide!  The old guy in the first boat said he thought we'd never get her in but Dafydd played an absolute blinder and we parked her straight in no messing without touching either boat in front or behind.  We passed the time of day with the old guy in the first boat.  He's on his own since his wife died a year ago and he is spending a week here!  His sons bring him here and will take him back at the weekend!  He's 84 - and loves it here!  Lots of cafes, bars & restaurants to choose from and our choice of "Thai Edge" was a good one.  Lots of atmosphere and tasty food.  Yum !  It's been a gorgeous sunny day today but tomorrow and beyond is forecast to be wet & windy - how disappointing, we were just beginning to enjoy ourselves!

Perfect timing!

We were a little "tardy"and didn't set off until 10.30am  It's nice to be lazy when there isn't much to do except 30 locks!  As it happened we timed it perfectly.  5 minutes behind us was a boat with 8 crew and they were very happy to let David out of the lock and close up behind him.  To add to our luck there were boats coming the other way so the locks were pretty much all set in our favour.  Took us 3 1/2 hours to do the flight which we thought was pretty good.  By 2.00pm we had stopped at the top for lunch and it started raining so the timing was perfect again.  After lunch and a little snoozette the sun came out so off we set.  We were planning to stop for the evening around Hopwood but we've found a lovely little spot, on a wide part of the canal, just beyond the last parked boat looking out onto rural countryside.  Between Tardebigge Tunnel & Shortwood Tunnel, just before bridge 58.  Tomorrow we should get to Birmingham and moor for the night in the famous "Gas Street".  Everyone tells us it's a great place to moor.  Plenty of eateries and shops to keep us busy on Thursday when it is forceast to pour down all day.  Let's hope they've got that wrong.  Fish pie for supper with Key Lime Pie - can't be bad!

NOT The river Severn

We planned to take Averina onto the river Severn today down stream to Tewkesbury, but alas the lock keeper said the river is in flood and they are not letting any boats onto it.  So we've come the other way towards Tardebigge.  Oh how I love those 30 locks, one after the other in quick succession!  Today we completed 15 locks between Droitwich Spa Marina & The Queens Head pub at the bottom of Tardebigge.  We're not far from Bromsgrove.  We've moored in a lovely spot - a Heron keeps visiting but every time I reach for my camera he flies off.  Massive wing span.  We've also seen rabbits, ducklings & a family of 7 signets - they were gorgeous. Met lots more boats on the canal today, the British Waterways volunteer said he's seen 12 boats through the Hanbury locks today which is his record!

Visitors in June

At last, after weeks of bad weather and other challenges we have managed to get Shrewsbury down to Averina.  We chose today as the forecast looked the best, but boy have we had some rotten weather this summer so far. Mum, Dad & Ange joined us for a trip on the canal.  Mark couldn't make it because he was captain of the bowls team so couldn't get out of his match day commitments.  Took Averina through the Hanbury 3 locks with Ange's help - Nana quite worried about the locks but was happy to see some British Waterways volunteers on hand to help.  Then a leisurely motor up to Dunhampstead which we will shortly be renaming "our local" !!  Nice meal although Ange's pear & blue cheese salad left a little to be desired - tinned pears & grated blue cheese ???  I don't think so !!  Just before we get to Tibberton we use the 70' winding hole to turn around and return to Droitwich Spa Marina.  Still not many boats in the Marina - lets hope it improves for the proprietors.  The Severn is in flood and Tardebigge is closed to due leaks so this stretch of the Worcester & Birmingham was particularly quiet today.

Thunder & lightning

Decided to give Nick & Amber some more locks to do today as we only had 3 yesterday.  This time up to Stoke Prior and back to DS Marina.  Had an early start with the prospect of 17 locks ahead, weather was reasonable and good progress made.  Past some ducklings that must have hatched in the week since Jen was here, she would have loved them.  Mrs Swan is still on her nest with Mr Swan being very protective.  Lots of fishermen, some willing to pass the time of day, some seeing us as rather a nuisance (didn't have the heart to tell them we were turning round and coming back shortly!)  Splendid fry up brunch at 12.00 noon weather still holding off.  The afternoon however had some hi-jinks in store.  It's all very well having waterproofs but there was no time to get them on.  Incredible fork lightening in the distance, wind, hail, thunder -we had the lot - it was all hands on deck, we all got soaked, but still managed to smile through it.  Hope we haven't put Amber off for life!!

Weather & barging

We stopped at a very pretty spot at Oddingley (if you ignore the trains on the opposite side of the canal)  Had lunch and then planned to travel to the next winding hole then about turn.  However the weather had different ideas and the wind blew up.  We knew we wouldn't be able to turn Averina in this wind so chilled out until the wind subsided.  However, another "Barge" had other ideas and crashed into us.  Presumably trying to moor between us & the next boat ahead. The wind was very strong and a challenge to even the most accomplished helmsman but this really was quite outrageous.  We sat tight, didn't want to put them off completing their parking and waited for an apology.  They never completed their manoeuvre, maybe they couldn't or maybe they decided they couldn't face our wrath but whatever the reason they drove off!!  No attempt at an apology.  We were very calm, didn't run out and shake fists or anything - we just anticipated the decent thing of an apology.  Further inspection discovered a considerable blue scrape down the side of Averina which would need painting over.  Didn't see the name of the boat so won't ever get to challenge them.  

Huge storm then went through and following that - calm.  So we were able to turn Averina & head back to Dunhampstead for the evening.

More guests

Nick & Amber are arriving at Droitwich Spa by train, David has just gone to collect.  Weather forecast looks interesting.

Not the Titanic

Had a nice walk along the canal this morning, sunny with fishermen & walkers out enjoying the countryside.  Sunday morning brunch being compulsory on Averina always goes down well with our visitors.  Just three locks to go now until we are back at base.  British Waterways volunteers at the locks today who explained and demonstrated the side paddles and overflow pounds.  Not a troll in sight.

Dunhampstead Tunnel

Up to Stoke Prior and back today.  Lots of lovely locks.  Weather fine and sunny.  Jen is filming and shooting for her Uni project.  We're all learning camera techniques and lots more.  Went back through Dunhampstead tunnel for the third time in 2 days, good opportunity for some atmospheric shots - pass that embarrassing man at the canal art shop again!  Nice evening meal at The Fir Tree, very busy tonight with a couple of birthday gatherings.

Jen's first visit

Arrived at DSM in time for lunch, Jen & I did some food shopping and brought Fish & Chips back to Averina for lunch.  Heading out for our first stop at Dunhampstead for the night.  Troll came out from under the bridge at Hanbury junction pointing out we hadn't operated the side panels at the three locks - who knew??  The little canal art shop was open and we purchased some coasters with canal roses painted on them.  Chap in there offered Jen the chance to win a badge if she could tie a knot - mega embarrassment for Jen as this was a "children's" competition, she will appreciate looking younger than her age when she's 40 but not now!  

Lasagne for supper, slightly charred as the oven is really hot!  Learnt once the oven is on you don't need the heating on as well!

Last day

Last day of this particular trip.  Beautiful blue sky this morning.  Using up all left overs for 9.00 am breakfast as it's our last day today.  Parmentier potatoes (Waitrose) left over from Saturday eve meal, bacon, eggs & tomatoes. That should set us up nicely for the day.

Messing about on the ... canal

Might move from Tibberton to Dunhampstead today, but no locks (hooray) just one tunnel.  It's 10.00am real time (feels like 9.00am as the clocks went forward @ 2.00am).  Lazy day planned as we've been "rushing" (!) around during the past few days doing too many locks and need a quiet day.  Sky is blue, birds are chirping & a couple of canoers have just paddled past.  David has spent the day improving the aerial for the TV, fitting draft excluder & touching up the paintwork.  I attempted to wash Averina's paintwork but it doesn't look at better than when I started.  I should have used a leather but too late now.  Thought about going down to Dunhampstead for evening meal but I had a hunch and called them & they close after Sunday lunch .  Decided to have roast beef here at the Bridge @ Tibberton.  Average pub fayre for £7.95, but keeps hunger at bay.  We'll stay here the night now.  Really warm afternoon.  Gorgeous blue sky, lots of cyclists.

Tibberton

Another glorious day forecast.  Blue sky & no clouds to start with at least.  Quiet in the basin.  Turned around  and then stopped for lunch at 1.00pm having completed 8 locks.  Just before A449.  6 locks under M5 then due to finish at Tibberton for supper.  Not seen another boat yet, they are missing all this sunshine! All 14 locks passed uneventfully.  Several walkers, bikers, joggers about especially this afternoon.  Really sunny & warm - 20 C.  Warmer than when we were in St Ives in May last year!  Arrived in Tibberton at 3.00pm & made a quick dash for the Post Office for provisions but alas it closed at 12.30 (on Saturdays) and doesn't reopen until Monday.  Quick cuppa at canalside pub "The Bridge" & persuaded them to sell us some milk - cheers for that!  Sadly we've also run out of bread & cheese so will have to make do.  Pub is a bit "& chips" so have decided to make our own tonight then go back to "The Fir Tree" tomorrow.  Waitrose @ Droitwich has proved very very fortuitous - especially this weekends offers of meal for 2 for £10.00.

Worcester

Had a nice bacon bap on the boat with Steve.  Started the day with the intention of dropping him off in Worcester and then return to Tibberton.  W&B canal bridge 29 @ 10.30am.  Tibberton looks nice - will come back there.  6 locks @ Offerton.  Varying degrees of help depending on whether Steve was a lock hand, photographer or at the helm.  This stretch of locks are between the M5 & A449 so although pretty - very noisy!  Then another 8 locks at steady intervals into Worcester.  Arrived later than expected at 3.00pm so the thought of doing those 14 locks back again straight away is not attractive.  Stop for a late lunch and wave goodbye to Steve who is catching the train back to London.  We continue on through another 2 locks into Diglis Basin.  Fill up with water & moor up here for the night.  Huge re-development of the Basin, lots of new flats and private moorings.  Nice walk along the River Severn before supper.  18 C today.

Averina's first visitor

Left Shrewsbury and it took us about 1 1/4 hours to get to Droitwich.  Had a lovely shop in Waitrose and then collected Steve from the train station at 12.21.  Lovely to have our first visitor aboard Averina.  Took Steve out of the marina and within 5 minutes David had him poling to get us away from the canal edge.  The wind had blown us against the side and we were stuck!  I thought Steve was going to get wet within a very short time of joining us but luckily stayed dry. Lovely to have a helper through locks 3,2,& 1 and then turned onto the W&B canal through Dunhampstead Tunnel as far as Dunhampstead for a traditional evening meal at "The Fir Tree".  Pleasant enough with friendly staff.  (2 course meal for £12.00 including glass of wine).  Lovely sunny evening.  Steve gave us some camera tuition - not sure how much of that we have remembered.  Moored there the night.

Droitwich Canal

Started the day early at 9.00am as we knew we had to get there and back in one day.  Very reedy all the way.  Hardly any places to stop the whole way.  We kept going and arrived at the River Severn @ 12.00 noon, Dafydd turned Averina about on the River and I took photos and then we came straight back on the same route.  Didn't see any other boats on the outward trip but past a couple of working boats coming through the lock together on the return journey.  Took Averina into Droitwich Spa Marina at about 5.00pm and then called a taxi to take us back to Stoke Prior where we had left the car.

Mother's Day

This morning there was a pressie from Jen - Rosie & Jim Dolls - how sweet !!  They are currently sitting on the shelf behaving themselves but I'm sure it won't stay that way when Averina is left unoccupied.  Had a lovely cooked breakfast then set off.  Turned onto the Droitwich Junction Canal & had a quick look at Droitwich Spa Marina - Averina's new home.  Still not many boats in but they are expecting some more over the next few weeks.  The sun has come out so lots of Sunday afternoon strollers along the tow path.  Met a family from Chippenham.  Carried on through Droitwich - the key operated swing bridges took us by surprise (should have read the guidebook first).  After Droitwich the canal sides are full of reeds so it's very difficult to find somewhere to moor.  Eventually stopped (ever so slightly illegally) after lock 6 near Ladywood. We're the only ones about so sure it won't cause any problems.  Several friendly dog walkers about to pass the time of day.

Averina's maiden voyage - St Paddy's Day

Our maiden voyage began from Stoke Prior at 2.00pm on Saturday 17th March 2012, and we quickly set off through our first lock - Stoke Bottom lock no. 23 on the Worcs & Birmingham Canal.  Moored overnight between locks 19 & 18 at Astwood Lock House which is very pretty, selling pickled onions and free range eggs.

St David's Day

If this wasn't a leap year then today would be 1st March and Averina's splendid Daffodils and sign writing would have been completed on a very appropriate day. However, we will excuse her for being a day early, it's a lady's prerogative after all.  We are absolutely pleased as punch with John Birkin's signwriting.  All done remotely via emails and scanned scribbles which John has interpreted just perfectly.   Here's a photo.

Out of the paint dock

Today Averina burst out into the Worcestershire sunshine with her shiny new livery.  Royal Blue with a cream coach-line and cream roof.  Next step tomorrow is for the sign-writer to add his artistic magic.  Hopefully his interpretation of our ideas will become one.  We are all very excited!!