A Wet July in Staffs

[keble]

We set off from Saul on the Glos & Sharpness canal early on Sat 30th June, heading for Gloucester with great uncertainty - because the Severn has been up and down like a yo yo for weeks.

 

After mooring in the dock I went to see the lockie, and to my surprise he had just declared the river open. H was looking forward to a wander round the city, but we had to get going before more water came down from the skies. We were warned about drift wood coming down but it wasn't too bad. The river level was high and the strong flow meant the engine was working hard to keep us at 4 mph.

 

 

After Upper Lode the flow was much better. We crossed under the M50:

 

 

We overnighted at Upton marina, eating out at the King's Head - good steaks.

Next day was grey but dry, and we had a good run to Stourport, sharing the last few locks with a wary hire boat crew.

This time we managed to work our way through the maze of locks and boats without too much grief, but I'd love to know if anyone has a special method for steering between the 2 staircases when there's a wind blowing! Luckily we had some help from friendly gongoozlers.

 

 

The next day saw us shopping in Kidderminster; while drinking coffee the heavens opened. A bit of a pattern seems to be developing this summer.

We stopped at Kinver, looking forward to coffee and cake - too late, the place seemed dead at 4pm. Even the pub by the canal looked dead, so off north to Stewponey for the night.

 

Now we can look forward to fish and chips at Swindon village, recommended by a fellow forum member. Well, they exceeded all expectations! We'll be back for more. Rain came down for our last few miles into Wightwick. Someone nicked a lock from us. Perhaps they didn't see us coming? Beer at the Mermaid was a slight lift.

 

Next day is a new stretch for us, north towards Great Haywood, well not strictly new because we did our first boat trip down from Stone way back in 1976 (quite a dry summer, that was!) The very narrow cutting is a bit scary, and of course we have to pass another boat in a 'siding'. Got a rubbish welcome at Calf Heath bar, must have been an off day. Lots of hire boats at the base at Gailey; business looks bad this year. Finally moored at Penkridge and it's hot and sunny. The tea shops are closed here too!

 

The sun is still in good form next morning. Here's Tixall lock:

 

 

We have a very good lunch at the Lock cafe at Great Haywood, on the Trent & Mersey. Push on to Weston on Trent, moor up:

 

 

and then comes the rain.

Tomorrow's plan to go to Stone looks in doubt; we decide to just go up 2 locks to the winding hole and turn there.

This looks easy on the map but the rain next day is horrendous. There are other mad boaters out here which makes us feel better. We turn off the T&M and head back to Tixall wide. The sun comes out! The tow path is sodden but the sun is shining.

 

 

 

A brief stop at Baswich: we emerge at a bridge but can't find any village centre. The River Penk is flooded:

 

 

On to Penkridge and lunch at the Littleton Arms - not bad. Met Cheshire Rose and Dave in between rain showers.

 

Next day we stop at Gailey for water and toilet duties. Now on the Staffs and Worcs there seems to be a tendency to combine sharp bends with bridges. At one of these obstacles I had to do an emergency full-on reverse, resulting in a broken gear cable. We wait for 3 hours for the valiant RCR to arrive; the engineers take an hour to fit the replacement. I take my hat off to them, there's not much room to manoeuvre the diddly cable fixings. So we end up missing our pub lunch, and push on to Autherley junction, turning on to the Shroppie. Just as we work through the stop lock the engine stalls - no diesel! A big oops. We bow haul the boat past Napton's and moor for the night.

Next morning we haul her back and fill up; a kind chap shows me how to bleed the filter first. Next time I'll know, I hope. Then it's off to Brewood, a lovely run to a beautiful place. The deli is delightful and a good lunch at the Lion. Then it's back to Wightwick on the S&W and a good meal at the Mermaid. It's hardly rained today.

 

A showery day takes us down to Kinver; the Vine still looks closed. But we had at least managed fish and chips again at Swindon.

More rain next day, and the locks are leaking badly. It doesn't matter if it's set for you as it will be half empty when you get there. We stop at Debdale lock for great coffee and cake and a cheery lady. At Kidderminster

 

 

we eat pizza and the heavens open big time. Spot the pattern here?

 

 

Eventually we roll into Stourport, where, as expected, the Severn is way into red and flowing very fast indeed.

 

 

We'll have to finish the trip later. We've done 159 miles and 95 locks so far!

[Charles]

nice pics - thankyou.

[Timx]

We did a bit of that trip in June,we only went down the severn from Stourport to the first lock as it was closed because of the time,river was on amber then, the weather hasnt changed much since,so we just turned and turned back into the basin, it was fun trying to judge the turn with the river flowing so fast,a boat had gone over the weir the night b4,but as it was the first sunny evening seemed a waste not to carry on sailing, although it was getting dark by the time we had locked back up and moored at the pub there back on the canal.nice pics enjoy.Remember it rarely rains in the pub..

[keble]

Well, we finally brought the boat back to Saul: Upper Lode lock on the Severn has been closed since early July. But now the weather has changed (the jet stream has moved).

 

We set off from Stourport, early on Sunday 22nd July, not knowing when Upper Lode would be open, but levels have been dropping quickly. We made it through the 5 canal locks down to the river in 50 minutes and very soon reached the first river lock (Lincomb), where the lockie told us that Upper Lode was indeed fully open!

 

This is the impressive bridge just south of Holt lock.

 

After another lock (Bevere) we approach Worcester:

 

 

which looks stunning in the sunlight.

The swans do well here:

 

The Malvern hills come into view:

 

At Upton the famous Blues Festival is in full swing:

 

 

After an overnight stay on "the wall" at Tewkesbury (covered in drying mud from the floods) we set off down the Severn for Upper Lode lock:

 

 

which now looks very placid!

 

We see a few herons:

 

 

and a three-abreast convoy:

 

 

After that it's an easy run to Glos lock and back to Saul. Summer has arrived

Edited July 23, 2012 by keble

[Ace 01]

Nice pics

 

 

Ann

[PaulG]

Much respect to you for having the cojones to venture up to the Parting in those conditions!

[cheshire~rose]

Lovely photo'a Thanks for sharing your trip with us