Lowesmoor Wharf to Astley Burf
Our first trip on our shared ownership boat Shadow this year would take us on waterways mostly new to us, so I was really looking forward to it. The plan was to get to the IWA National Festival at Autherley Junction by Saturday evening so we could have all day Sunday and Monday there. In order for the plan to succeed we had to get through the last lock on the Severn, Lincomb Lock, before it closed at 1900. I had calculated that that should be possible if we left the boatyard in Worcester (Lowesmoor Wharf) by 1330. Well, we managed to leave on time, having had a reasonably straightforward drive from Norfolk, but I hadn't reckoned on the speed of the current on the river. When we were loading our things onto the boat we were warned that we might not even be allowed onto the Severn as it was in flood, but by the time we set off the level had dropped sufficiently. My brother, David, his wife, Penny, and their son, Fergus, were on their way to meet us at the boat, but they were late. We couldn't wait, so we arranged to pick them up at Sidbury Lock about half an hour later.
The first incident of note came just after turning right out of Lowesmoor Wharf onto the main Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Just after Bridge 8 Jan saw two young male vandals pushing a supermarket trolley along the towpath, and then tipping it casually into the cut. I heard the splash but didn't actually see it happen. By the time I'd got my camera out the two were mere silhouettes under the bridge. What does one say to the perpetrators of vandalism when catching them in the act? I don't know. They will always laugh and saunter off.
With the London crew now on board we carried on to Diglis Basin and the pair of large locks, the last of which led directly into the worryingly fast flowing water of the Severn. I lined Shadow up diagonally in the lock so as to exit pointing as much upstream as possible. Even so, we were taken downstream a bit before being able to return to the ladder to pick up David, who'd been closing the gates.
going through Worcester on the River Severn
Passage through Bevere and Holt Locks didn't take too long, but I soon realised that we were almost certainly not going to make it through Lincomb lock before closing. We were doing 2000 rpm, with the engine temperature reading 100 celcius. I didn't want to push it any more, especially as there had been reports of problems with the calorifier, and the engine loosing coolant.
cows taking a drink on the Severn
We got to Lincomb Lock at 1930. Half an hour too late. Oh, well. We'd just have to turn round and tie up for the night at the Hamstall Inn (is it still called that? Lost the log). Winding in the lock cut was no problem, but winding in the river to point back upstream was a bit more fun. It's always a little scary going downstream sideways. We made it, though, without hitting any flimsy plastic boats, and ate on board before patronising the pub and playing a game of pool.
tied up by the Hamstall Inn (pic taken the next morning)
The next day would have to be non-stop as far as we could go before darkness, but we couldn't start early as Lincomb Lock wouldn't open before 0800.
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