Saturday 14th July

Hawkesbury to Brinklow

Cloudy but at least it's not raining.

Passed through the bridge at Ansty which the owners of the pub had to pay to be demolished. Rather than demolish the whole thing, only the centre span has been removed and the two ends now have neat vertical walls. Maybe so they could put a flat bridge on top later?

Stopped briefly at Sutton stop so Andy could try again to get some IWA calenders, without success.

Had lunch on board at Brinklow then took Andy to the station to catch the express train that he actually had a reservation for.

Friday 13th July

Atherstone to Hawkesbury

The boat moored in front of us had set off up the locks while I was still asleep, but another boat had already come down them. We set off by 9am and didn't meet any boats coming down.

Moored for lunch in Nuneaton by the low footbridge. Had lunch on board then walked to the Crown for beer.

After that we carried on south to Hawkesbury junction where we turned through the stop lock and moored for the night. The Greyhound was very busy but we managed to share a table so that we could eat.

Thursday 12th July

Bodymoor Heath to Atherstone

Summer's here again, at least until until the evening.

Set off at 845. At Fazeley Mill marina we got a replacement gas bottle and emptied the loo.

Stopped briefly at Fazeley for essential supplies then we turned right at the junction.

Decided to stop for lunch at Alvecote marina to try the Samuel Barlow, which is quite new. It's run by an Ozzie with a long list of rules. No sandwiches, closed Mondays except Bank Holidays, closed most of January..... But he had 3 real ales and some interesting food, so we decided to have our main meal there.

After lunch we went to the priory nearby, but there's not much left of that. Then we carried on, stopping briefly at Polesworth so that Andy could post his postcards.

Moored for the night at Atherstone. Had a light meal on board then went to the Dolphin. It's in the GBG now and just been awarded Warwickshire pub of the year for the second year running. They had 2 beers from the Beowolf brewery which is now at Chasewater. The first was good but the second was not perfect. On the way back we popped into the Market Tavern to try a half of some Warwickshire brewery beer. Both beers that we had were in good condition, unlike my previous visit.

Wednesday 11th July

Birmingham to Bodymoor Heath

Showers and sunny spells.

Missed a heavy shower by not starting till 820. Made fast progress
down Farmers Bridge and Aston locks to Salford junction, which is better known to most people as Spaghetti junction. Turned right there onto the Birmingham and Fazeley canal.

Stopped for lunch on board at Minworth top lock. Then we carried on to get to Bodymoor Heath for the night. Moored near the Dog and Doublet where we ate and drank.

Tuesday 10th July

Compton to Birmingham

Rain all day until the evening.

Set off at 8am and we were at Wolverhampton bottom lock by 9am. Unfortunately someone else must have been up before us as all the locks were full. However sooner than expected we crossed another boat coming down. Then at 1030 Andys friend Andrew arrived having walked down from the station. This speeded our progress and we were at the top lock at noon. Unfortunately the locks have severely damaged the front fender, as the water holds the boat hard against the top gate and then is dragged up it. When I realised this was happening I started to use rope to hold the boat back. It's only 2 years old and hardly used.

Decided not to stop for lunch and press on so that we got to Birmingham City Centre tonight.

We had decided to take the new main line but when we got to Factory locks there was one boat in the top lock and another waiting, so we changed plans and took the old main line. This was quite weedy though most of it was cut weed.

Decided to go down Brades locks and take the Gower branch to get back onto the new main line. When we got to the end of that we found that we had overtaken the boat that had been waiting at Factory locks!  We were now in between the two working boats all the way to the centre.

Moored in Cambrian basin on the floating pontoons. Andrew left us on arrival.

Andy had a voucher code, 2 main courses for the price of one at Strada, so we went to the
one by the canal at the ICC. I had an excellent dessert, Figs poached in red wine and cinnamon.

After that we went to Digbeth to visit the pubs in the National Inventory, unfortunately the White Swan was not open but the Anchor was. I had Marble chocolate stout and Marble mild 6%!

Monday 9th July

Wombourne to Compton

A very nice dry sunny day.

Set off at 9am to get to Wightwick. Moored at the 48 hour moorings and walked to Wightwick Manor which is a National Trust property. After our tour of the house we had lunch in the cafe there.

After looking round the gardens we went back to the boat and set off to do the short hop to Compton, where the moorings were very popular. Went to eat in the Hollybush and then we for the better beer and more interesting atmosphere in the Swan.

Sunday 8th July

Caunsal to Wombourne

Set off at 815. I was thinking of doing a long day so that we could go up the Wolverhampton flight tomorrow morning, however it soon became busy and there were delays at most locks. So we stopped for at Greensforge and went for lunch in the Navigation Inn.

After lunch we carried on and stopped by the Round Tree at Wombourne. Although this pub has cask marque approval the New Inn 1/2 miles away is in the GBG so after eating on board we went there.

Saturday 7th July

Stourport upon Severn to Caunsal

Set off to get to Kidderminster in time to catch the 1115 train on the Severn Valley Railway. Unfortunately the train was hauled by a diesel locomotive which was not what was advertised in the timetable. The braking seemed rather abrupt and when we got to Arley station, by which time we were already very late, they decided to wait for a rescue locomotive. Eventually another class 50 loco appeared and took us all the way to Bewdley.

At Bewdley we walked up the hill into town to the White Lion for lunch. They only do pies from the local butcher and homemade Scotch eggs, I had a Black Pudding Scotch egg. Then we had a quick look around town and went back to the station as we had no idea when the trains were running due to the chaos caused by the breakdown. Although there was a train just leaving we wanted to have another pint in the station buffet and wait for the next one.

On the way back Andy and I got off at Highley to go to the Engine shed exhibition, leaving Ian to get back to the boat to collect hus luggage and make his way home.

We caught the second train after that which was steam hauled. On arrival back at Kidderminster we got  take away pizzas and went to the Olde Seven Stars to enjoy them with a pint.

I had already decided that I wanted to get out of Kidderminster as it was Saturday night. When we got back to the mooring there were no other boats around so that confirmed my decision.

Set off for Caunsal, arriving at sunset,  and went to the Anchor Inn for a pint.

Friday 6th July

Droitwich Spa to Stourport

Cast off at about 8am and continued down the Droitwich barge canal to Hawford junction. There we turned left to go downstream on the Severn through Bevere lock and moored at the Camp House Inn. When they opened at noon we went in for lunch. Although they had 4 ciders of which 3 were Thatchers, they all seemed to be keg, but they had a few good beers.

We noticed that the river level had risen by a couple of inches while we were having lunch. We set off going back upstream through Bevere lock.

After Holt Lock we came across a narrowboat which had broken down. So we took him in tow. After a mile or two we came across a good floating jetty at the Hamstall Inn so I was relieved to be able to leave him there as we were making less than 2 mph.

At Stourport we went through the narrow locks up to the top basin where I emptied the loo. Then through the lock out of the basin and moored for the night.

Went to the Angel to eat but they weren't doing food so after a pint there we moved on to the Hollybush where they had a very limited menu but a good selection of beers.

Thursday 5th July

Worcester to Droitwich Spa

Set off before 830 and made swift progress up all the locks to Tibberton. We had decided to carry on to Hanbury junction but then found on Google that the pub there closed in March, and we thought that the one at Dunhampstead was closed too due to flooding. So we moored at Tibberton and went to the Speed the Plough. This was a good move as the pub has been refurbished and had three beers along with food.

After our early lunch we carried on to Hanbury junction where we turned left to go down the Droitwich canals. To get under the M5 we had to remove the horn and exhaust despite the level indicator being well in the green.

Moored on the secure pontoons Netherwich basin. Filled up with water for the first time since day 1.

Went to the only Cask marque pub in town, the Castle, to eat. Then to the 2 GBG pubs, the Ring of Bells, and finally the Hop Pole.

Wednesday 4th July

Lower Lode to Worcester

Set off at 9am.

Stopped on the floating pontoon at Upton upon Severn. The boat we had been following from Tewkesbury unfortunately moored before us and we had to breast up outside them. We waited till they had finished their lunch on board and left, then we remoored and set off to walk to Hanley Castle. Had lunch in the Three Kings, a lovely old pub in the national inventory, very cheap sandwiches too. After lunch we couldn't find the bus stop so we walked back again.

At Worcester we turned off the river onto the Worcester and Birmingham canal and moored after bridge 2.

Went to the Firefly in the hope of getting something to eat there but no luck. So after a pint there we moved on to Wetherspoons to eat. From there we went to meet Andy J at Foregate Street station. Then we went to the Dragon Inn and finally the Plough.

Tuesday 3rd July

Parkend bridge to the Lower Lode Hotel

Set off just after 8pm with the aim of getting to the Boat Inn at Ashleworth for lunch. However on arrival in Gloucester dock I rang the lock keeper and was told that we could not go upstream because the spring tides had gone over the weir. So we moored and went to try and look at the weir. We found Llanthony lock, which is filled in but there is still a right of navigation through it! We could not get to see the weir because of the wet ground.

Then we went for an early lunch in the Fountain Inn. On our way back we checked the level below the lock and it was now in the amber. Then 3 narrowboats appeared from upstream and we watched them lock up. The lock keeper said we could go when they were out.

Locked down just after 1pm with Mr Sweep. Very slow progress up the east channel, speeded up a bit when we rejoined the main river and eventually got up to 4mph. Our average speed from the upper parting was 3.2 mph.

Moored for the night on the BW floating pontoon at the Upper Lode Hotel. We were the only boat on it apart from the ferry.

The hotel got very busy shortly after we went in but we had got our food order in by then. They had 5 beers for us to choose from.

When went back to the boat there were signs the high tide had arrived. Then a while later it was flowing normally again.

Monday 2nd July

Patch bridge to Epney

A miserable day, very different to what it was like 10 years ago. Set off after coffee time for Sharpness. Moored there and went exploring the old dock. Noted that Balmoral and Waverley do trips that call here, must go on one.

It was too wet to walk to the pub that we had planned to go to so we ate on board.

After the rain had eased we headed back up the canal, stopping to empty the loo at Saul, and moored for the night just short of Parkend Bridge.

Walked into Epney and went to the Anchor Inn to eat and drink. It's right by the river and we saw the tide flow and ebb.

Sunday 1st July

Gloucester to Patch bridge

Left Gloucester at 825 so that we got to the swing bridge before the wind became strong again.

Stopped at Saul junction. We walked up the Stroud canal as far as the first bridge. Then we walked through Saul down to the Severn and back up the old canal to the Ship Inn where we had a nice lunch. After that we walked back on the footpath along the old line of the canal.

After lunch we moved on to Shepherds Patch where we spent the evening in the Tudor Arms.

Saturday 30th June

Up at 8 and went to see the lock keeper. Everything is okay now and Upper Lode lock on the Severn is open again. A Napton hire boat was keen to go after filling with water alongside us. So we decided to lock down with them even though they were going the other way.

We turned to go down the Severn to Gloucester. At Lower Lode lock the gates shut behind us but then reopened. The two narrowboats that had been moored below Tewkesbury lock had caught up with us. One of the women on board was not impressed to be told by the lock keeper that the river level was in the red.

After getting out of the lock they soon overtook us. Later when I phoned Gloucester lock from the upper parting he said that he was holding the other two boats in the lock until we got there.

Once in the docks we moored on one of the short pontoons. Went to the Pig Inn The City but this has closed permanently. So we went instead to eat at the Dick Whittington which had 4 beers from the Forest brewery in Mitcheldean. Then we tried the Fountain where we noted that they had a more interesting menu.

In the afternoon we set off to get to Saul but when we got to Hempstead bridge the keeper told us that it was too windy for him to open it! After waiting for a while he told us that he would open it at 530. However that would have been too late for us to get to Saul as we would not be able to get through Parkend bridge before 7pm. So we turned around and went to moor on the visitors moorings south of Llanthony bridge.

In the evening we went to the Fountain to try some of their interesting menu choices. We both had Sussex smokies as a starter. Then we went to the New Inn which had karaoke. Then we popped in the Cross Keys but that was noisy and only had one beer. So we went to the Dick Whittington again to try some more Forest beers.

Friday 29th June

Evesham to Tewkesbury

I was woken up very early by various cleaning operations in the gardens.

During the night the water level rose a bit and just started to go over the quayside, but by morning it had  dropped back to the level it had been at 11pm last night. So we set off as planned at 8am.

The cable for Hampton Ferry was raised so I blew the horn three times and nothing happened. I tried again and still nothing happened so I had to turn around to face the current and wait. I tried the horn again and this time the cable dropped and we carried on.

When we got to Fladbury lock the indicator below the lock was showing 1ft of flood. After a bit of deliberation we decided to carry on.

At the next lock the level indicator below it was well in the green! So we carried on and moored at Pershore recreation ground. Went to the Brandy Cask for lunch.
 
On the way back to the boat we got some essential supplies.

When we got to Strensham lock the level indicator was amber. I rang Avon lock at Tewkesbury and asked if it was safe to proceed to Tewkesbury. He said it was in the amber there too and he had one mooring space left. So we carried on to Tewkesbury and moored on the water point for the night as instructed.

Went to eat in the Nottingham Arms. After that we checked out the Bell Hotel but decided to skip that and went to the Royal Hop Pole Hotel, a very interesting Wetherspoons. Finally we went to the Olde Black Bear.

Thursday 28th June

Billington lock to Evesham

Today we just went as far as Evesham. On arrival we moored at Packington Gardens and headed off to catch a bus to Bretforton where went for lunch at the Fleece Inn.

In the evening we went to eat in the Old Red Horse. Then to the Trumpet which is now run by Hook Norton and had three of their beers. After that we went to Bar 24 to sample some beer from the Evesham brewery. They just had one beer which was cheap but disappointing.

When we got back to the boat the river had risen and wasn't far below the level of the quayside. We checked the EA website and that showed that the level had risen but was levelling off. So we loosened the lines a bit and retired to bed. I was kept awake by people in the park talking till gone 1.30am.

Wednesday 27th June

Set off at 830 and we were the first boat going south.

Stopped at the boatyard on the outskirts of Stratford. They don't sell river licences but I did fill up with diesel there. They are now part of Valley cruisers.

There was one space left in Banford basin so we occupied that and purchased a 7 day licence for the Avon. Went to the West End pub for lunch.

After lunch we locked down onto the river and headed downstream. Although we wanted to get to Bidford we thought that the moorings would be full so we stopped at the last lock upstream.

There were 2 narrowboats moored there already and a guy on one of them confirmed our suspicions about Bidford as they had come upstream and been unable to moor there.

Walked into Bidford and went to The Frog to eat, it was steak night and there was a rock academy competition taking place. After that we checked out the New Saxon but their one beer pump was full of cleaning fluid. So we went to the Old Bull which has cask marque approval.

Tuesday 26th June

Through the Lapworth link and turned left to go down the Stratford canal, stopping briefly at the sanitary station.

Moored at Preston Bagot and went for lunch at the Crabmill, which is part of the same small group of Lovely Pubs gastropubs as the Boot Inn.

Moored for the night at Wilmcote. Went first to the Masons Arms which only had one real ale. We ate there and then moved on to the Mary Arden Inn which had three national real ales.

Monday 25th June

Set off in time to arrive at the bottom of Hatton locks before 9. No boats in sight behind or ahead so we started up the flight. Unfortunately all the locks were full so someone must have been up before us. After a while we started meeting boats coming down so then they were all empty.

Moored after the top lock and walked back to the Hatton pub, which has recently been refurbished and renamed, and is now more upmarket. They had a choice of 4 real ales.

After lunch we pottered on to Kingswood junction. Here we moored immediately past the junction so that we could back up and turn into the Lapworth link.

Went to the Navigation Inn which has just been refurbished so was not doing food yet. They had a beer called Lapworth Gold from Byatts, the new Coventry brewery. Then we went to the Boot Inn which has a choice of 3 real ales and the food was still excellent.

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