Tebberton – Stoke Pound (Btm of Tardebigge) (Tues 30th July)

Left at 09:10 arrived at 14:40

It was warm and cloudy, we had a good night, all in bed for 10 30, up as usual, we are really low on water so only quick showers today.  Derek says there is only 1 tap on the next 3 pages of my booklet, unless we can get some at a Marina/boatyard if we need to.  Me and Derek had our breakfast and Charlotte and Amelia moved into our narrowed bed for half an hour, Derek had folded the flaps in, they still fit!!!   I showered and Charlotte was in the shower as we set off,rolled Amelia in a cover and put her on my seat, you can put your feet up on it, she went back to sleep.  Its about 1 or so till the first locks so plenty of time, we are heading for the group of locks just before the Tardebigge, 12 locks or so today,  the kids are going to get out and help us.  The African Queen Motif is on again, the water is lined with masses of reeds/bulrushes and at least we are in what seems like familiar  territory as we have lots of little brick bridges, my favourite, its also very narrow in places.  We just spotted some lovely horses and beyond was a beautiful half timbered property.  Its for sale, what a scene, horses in the front field and a huge attractive house beyond, hope the estate agent used that picture in the brochure.  A surprise was in store, we went past Dunhampstead, The Brook Line of Hire Boats live here and then we went into a tunnel, 236yd long, I love tunnels, the pictures don’t come out too well, but it strange feeling when you see the reflection of the tunnel in the water beneath you, you appear to be hovering in mid air, its quite amazing.  Charlotte came in the cratch and shared the experience.  Amelia was in the shower and didn’t even noticed the tunnel as its got a light over it.  Just before Dunhampstead we passed a winding hole and some moored boats, we had to go really really slowly as we sailed by as the canal was so narrow.  At Shernal Green there was a little enclave of cottages, The Old Forge on the left hand side even had a beautiful garage? And a large extension/sun room on the end of it with a glass turret with a lead roof, complete with lead roses on it, the attention to detail was lovely.  Hanbury Wharf was a lovely mooring spot and boat yard, there were lots of lovely boats, nicely kept and painted in a variety of colourways, the pub looked good, shame were not stopping.  We reached Astwood Locks, got a system going, the girls got out with me, we opened the gates (the first couple were empty and set for us). Derek climbed off at the lock steps and led the boat into the lock, we shut the boat in, he starts the ground paddle off, then finished them as water flowed  more smoothly, put his side paddle down when water equals, we open gate to let the boat out  and put our paddle down, we go on to the next lock and he shuts the gate behind the boat.  Derek thinks this is amazing and wears quite a smug look as he sails away from the lock.  Two of the locks near the top were full so Charlotte and me (Amelia went in to  make lunch) had to empty them and opened the gates ready for Derek to do his party trick, hope this system works tomorrow, its ok when there is just us coming up but may be difficult if there are a lot of other boats.  At Astwood Top lock there was a seat dedicated to a lady who was on NB Sejfton (working boat we think) she died in 1996, it had its plaque cut out of the black metal it was made from so it looked really good.  At the lock, 2 families of ducks were going for a rest at the  edge of the byewash, it was comical to watch.  The Mum jumped up the side with no problem at all, then the babies tried to do the same, there were 7 altogether, one of them was a bit dim, he had a few attempts before he managed it, yippee, well done that little duckling.  We stopped at Bridge 42 to have lunch and fill up with water, it doesn’t last long when there are four people on board, even if two are a lot smaller.  No sooner on our way than we were approaching Stoke Prior, the next lock, 1 of six, leading to Tardebigge. Derek lied again, I had barely swallowed my lunch, he said it was further away than it obviously was??? We did the  Stoke Locks, ok with our system, Stoke Wharf looked interesting for future reference, it had lots of little businesses and beyond the waterway I  saw a sign saying ‘Antiques’ you should have seen Derek move on hearing that.  We met no one till the last lock, just before the start of the Tardebigge, 2 boats were coming down, One set of first timers on a timeshare boat and an older couple with their son and daughter in law for crew.  The first boat couple had their young sons driving the boat and they went through OK Then the son and daughter in law from the other boat came and helped us put our boat through.  Round the corner we were at the Queens Head Pub Moorings, its a beautiful pub, very modern but with a rural twist outside.  It has lots of tables and chairs/umbrellas and a massive Teepee, with seats inside and furs thrown over them, guess its for a party venue, even the railings and planters are lovely, the old fashioned lights have etched motifs on to match the pub sign.  I had a wash and brush up and went with Charlotte to the pub to get a price list, it was  very smart inside.  Charlotte didn’t like the meals they were serving would you believe, we had Dereks boat chicken and chips, kids really chuffed with his by now famed chips, crunchy, they were cooked in the wok, what a cleverclogs he is???   We had a big downpour, it lasted 15 minutes and that was it, its still quite warm and sticky.  We have tele YIPPEE its Holby and New Tricks tonight.

Worcester (Diglis Basin) - Tebberton (Mon 29th July)

Left at 09:30 arrived at 14:30.

Slightly dodgy night, I didn’t sleep too well so unfortunately neither did Derek.  Up as usual though, moved kids into our bed, cleared a few chairs in the saloon, Derek did usual stuff, dogs, paper and water we had breakfast and decided to set off with kids in our bed.  There are a good few locks today and its raining on and off, we think it will be like this all day, so wet weather gear at the ready.  The first lock was at the Commandery? It was Charles the II headquarters in the Civil War, the Battle of Worcester 1651.  It was a lovely building, very well kept and had a metal sculpture of lances/pike staffs and roundhead helmets on the road/walking bridge.  A family, Mum, Dad, Grandma, Grandad and two small children, were just doing the lock, coming down, beyond the building were some moorings, so we both made a mental note, it seemed a good spot.  We went through the lock with no problems, the next one was set for us as the hire boat had just come down.  I went up to open the gates, shouts from beyond the tunnel/bridge leading into the lock(by now the gongoozlers were standing on the bridge too) I went to see what Derek was shouting about, he was stuck.  I let a little bit of water down with the ground paddle, one of the bottom gates blew shut, I had to go down to hold it open.! He managed to get into the beginning of the lock under the bridge, stuck again? I let more water down, he finally managed to get in to the lock, I closed one gate, the gongoozlers shut the other, we finally got on our way.  This was only the 4^th lock we had done since the girls joined us and we were already having fun and games.   A young man came up to do the lock for his boat so I got on board and he closed the gate and I got on the boat.  The rest of the canal was quite pretty with lots of reeds/bulrushes, I was disappointed again, still haven’t found  that baby!!!?   Amelia was up and in the shower, Charlotte laid in bed, its still warm but we keep getting a few spots of rain.  The last channel was really shallow and reedy and we became the African Queen again.  Did Gregory Top lock and a family coming down so it worked out nicely, I’m really sluggish this morning but Derek is giving a hand, the gates aren’t too bad and the paddles are ok once started.  Coming up to Bilford lock there was a lovely  plant at the water side, I ve never seen one like it before, long spade shaped leaves at the top of a very long stalk, with blue spear like flowers, it was gorgeous, we must find out what it is it would go well in the water trough at home.  At Blackpole lock Derek got in the lock and when he neared the top he had a look at the prop, it was being a bit sluggish, a pair of tracksuit bottoms were wrapped round it, it went a lot better once they were removed???  We finally reached Offerton Top Lock No 16 (our 14^th) at 2:30, it was very warm and slow going ( I think, its mostly me)  We had only met 1 full and one half full lock, the previous user had left the ground paddle open a little way, I didn’t notice till it was nearly empty and bubbling up, I put it down, they were very hard to do.  He had moored just after the lock so really ought to have known better and noticed the lock filled up by itself??    Derek had been climbing up the side of the lock, leading the boat in, shutting the bottom gates and near the end when I was tiring, had been opening the very hard ground paddles closing his side down when the water was level, I then opened the single gate let him out and shut the paddle on my side, usually walking to the next lock.  We were at Tibberton for 2 3ish, Amelia was happy we had ducks and 2 families of Moorhens to keep her amused, feeding them and taking pics.  We had a rest and then decided to have tea at the pub, we’re moored just below it so a 2 minute walk, it was lovely, the pub was nice and the food well presented, the kids meals were massive, we are now back at the boat, no tele so we will be watching DVDs me and the kids laying on the bed, Derek can therefore have the saloon to himself. 

Tewkesbury – Worcester (Diglis Basin) (Sun 28th July)

Left at 10:00 arrived at 15:00.

Last night was supposed to be cooler, it was slightly but we had to close the portholes and hatches so it wouldn’t rain in, you cant win at the moment I’m afraid.  Derek up and at em as usual, dogs wont let 6 30 go by, pester power works every time with Derek.  We were both up and ready eating our breakfasts (Derek’s second) for 9.  The lock is quite busy 5 or 6 boats going through, both ways, the same lockie is on duty, I don’t know when he gets a rest.  Through the lock nice and smoothly – 9 58 – the lockie wished us well and hoped he might see us again, this was bye to Tewkesbury for now, we will be back Im sure.  Got to the junction Derek tooted his horn to say we were turning, Amelia was just climbing into the shower, it scared her, she came with the towels wrapped round her to see what was the matter??   We passed a large water treatment building it was very impressive, the water was quite bumpy, we were going against the waves, it was even more so when a large cruiser went by splashing its bow wave about a foot up at the edges of the river??   We went under a lovely iron bridge and there were two properties at either side, with little speed boats moored at the waters edge, the houses looked really interesting but I’m not sure you would want your house under the road bridge.  It’s a lovely bit of river, quite winding, I always think it looks better when the trees and foliage at the edges are waving in the breeze adding to the movement.  There was a set of working barges moored at what I assume is a quarry, a tunnel went into the hillside with a conveyor belt running through it to carry the sand/grit to the large hopper at the waterside, then I presume it drops it into the barges.  Amelia noticed that there were lots of broken trees in the water at the edges, as we were speaking, who should be stood to attention on a bare broken tree but Mr. Heron, standing very still watching the world go by.!!  Upton-upon-Severn came up in front of us, The Pepperpot (a cupola topped church) (the trusty booklets words) standing proudly shining in the sunshine, it looked a thriving metropolis, lots of flags, flowers, pubs, boats and fishermen.  A caravan park was beyond the village and then wooden chalets, possibly holiday homes but could be full time homes I suppose, they were very well kept.  At the bottom of a particularly nice one was another Heron, bigger than before but quite lovely, he seemed to be a bit whiter than the last one.  There was a large cream building on the hillside, my trusty companion booklet says “ a stuccoed, crenellated and ever so slightly pompous “Severn Bank” I thought it looked quite imposing and worthy of a picture??  We came upon a lovely yacht moored, anchored actually, with a rope on to a tree on the riverbank, we asked if they were ok, he signalled yes, then shouted that it was a lovely sounding engine.  There was a static caravan park above a steep slope, at the end, the slope had been washed away and some of the last vans where very close to the edge. There was another caravan/chalet site with lots of cruisers moored next to them, one cruiser was battling the wind to get into its mooring.  More correctly, the lady of the vessel was leaning over the bow with a boat hook (only about 3ft long) trying to hook a short chain down on the pontoon, she did it!!  It appeared that she was pulling the whole boat towards the pontoon ? a guy from further up the pontoon came to give her a hand whilst the Captain, sat aloft on his throne. I know hes driving but it looks even more dangerous for the ladies than me climbing round locks.!!!  At Diglis lock, it was manned, we shared with a hire boat, it was a very quick and smooth ride up.  We travelled along looking for the pontoon to moor to go into the Basin, two locks which lead into the Birmingham Worcester Canal.  There were boats on permanent moorings on a pontoon, then a little pontoon landing stage.  We pulled over to it I got off with Key and Windlass in hand, not knowing what we would find, went up the gangway to the lock side, no one there, just an ordinary lock, with a walkway bridge over the opening to it, it was full.  Then another lock after the pound up into the basin.  I walked to the top of both the locks to see if there was any problems of anyone to say if we could use it or not.  The basin was quite large and there were lots of waterside properties, people walking and riding bikes and no one to tell me not to use the locks in the usual way.  Derek had come up to see what the form was, we didn’t need to use the swing bridge/walkway as we would fit under, so we emptied the lock and he went back to bring Esmerelda in.  We got in ok, it was quite slow but I had only opened one ground paddle, the gates were heavy and it was quite windy, so hard to push them.  They were both broad locks, Derek says the last on this stretch of water.  Derek went through to the pound and he got off the boat and went to start the next one emptying.  We got through, Derek pulled onto the pontoon on the Right Hand side and I got back on the back of the boat to get to the visitors moorings beyond the basin.  We were going to go to the pub but didn’t, it didn’t serve food Sunday evening.  Derek went  for a look see and found the spar, he took  the  girls with him to get the paper, we had a fry up for tea.  No tele here so we are watching Stardust, only seen it about 6 times, we love it, its one of my favourites.  It has been raining a few times but not too much and it is quite balmy.  Afterwards me and the kids watched Avitar, Derek had a nap on the bed, at 11 45 I failed at the fence, had to lie down, so kids finished it by themselves.

Gloucester (Sat 27th July)

Last night Derek and me went to bed before the kids, well lay on it whilst they watched Big Bang Theory. I fell asleep before the kids were ablated and in bed, we had quite a good night despite the sticky heat. Derek the early bird up at 6 30, there was no hot water for me, so I had tea in bed and nodded whilst he watched the world on the water go by and walked the dogs.  The kids were in our bed for 9 30 so the back cabin could be sorted and the generator put on to warm the water.  There is a group of ducks going up and down the water, Mallards, Black and White and a couple of pure white ones.  The noisy white ones are leading them from boat to boat quacking instructions as they go.  We persuaded Derek to come into town with us, promising Greggs and Coffee, it was about 11.  The first port of call was of course the aforementioned Greggs, we had our elevenses and Derek showed us where the market was, then he left us to shop, what is he like, the coward!!!!  We trawled all round every shop in Tewkesbury and had a really nice shop.  All of us got something, Amelia did sneeze and moan a bit in the charity shops and antique shops, she says she’s allergic to the old and smelly !!?  We were back at the boat for 3 ish Amelia fed some ducks including 7 babies, 2 yellow and the rest black and yellow.  I watered the plants and when Charlotte and Derek went to get provisions from the co-op, I got some insulation tape from Derek’s work bag (green and yellow stripey earth tape) and decorated the tiller arm and various poles on the top of the boat.  The tiller arm need painting and Derek wants to do it when we get home, the spoil sport, so I resorted to the tape instead.  He just shrugged his shoulders and grinned when he got  back !!!  At the lock there were a lot of gongoozlers, a boat was coming through. A group of ladies had a little sausage dog (Dachshund) His name was Chip and he was a silver dapple like Miss Delilah Sarah’s oldest girl dog.  I gave him a pat and told the ladies about the Team Taylor K9 Clan.  Amelia did some craft work in the boatmans cabin, I did some blog, Charlotte messed about with her new ipod 4 and Derek cooked the tea, guess what happened next, it started to rain, yippee its lovely, cooling everything down nicely and according to the forecast to be continued for a few days.  We are on our way to Worcester tomorrow and then later in the week heading for Tardebigge flight, so I hope the weather will be a lot cooler for all that work.  Bed for all of us at 11.

Gloucester – Tewkesbury (Fri 26th July)

Left at 11:00 arrived at 14:30.

Bad  night for me and Derek, Charlotte late to sleep also, those dreaded gulls again!!!  Up and at em for 9 20 though  Charlotte and me went up  town to get her some high heeled shoes Size 1, we called at Greggs and got some sausage rolls and cakes, Charl and Amelia had the sausage rolls for breakfast, Derek and I had a cake with tea for a snack.  Amelia had an extra nap on our bed whilst we went to town.  We were at the water point for 10 and were then going down the lock at 11ish with the tide, Derek says it will give us a push to Tewksbury.   Derek finally put the licence in the window, so we are legal again. We filled the water, Amelia showered and Derek spoke to the Lockie on the radio, wait 15 minutes or so as there is a boat coming up, so it will be ready for us to go through.  A little cruiser and a large Nb came through the bridge whilst we were waiting, NB Lorien, sounded like it had an old engine, it was traditionally pointed green, red and yellow, about  60ft, it was really nice.  We went through the bridge and moored on the wall just before the pontoons to wait for the boat to come through the lock, “Edward Elgar” A hotel boat was the boat in question, it was enormous!!! It looked quite majestic, everyone was on the top deck smiling and waving at us, they looked to be enjoying themselves.  In the lock we fastened our ropes round the hawsers on the side of the lock walls, it went down a lot quicker then coming up Im pleased to say.  The Lockie warned Derek that there was a tree in the water and to keep an eye out for it, we saw two, one a full trunk and a large piece of trunk, it sailed straight by us.  There were however lots of floating broken branches and chunks of wood but Derek managed to avoid them all.  The water is really muddy and quite low, there were little beaches at each side, we saw 3 kingfishers darting in and out of the trees, always too quick to get a picture, boy are they quick.  There does seem to be  a distinct lack of water wild life, there were some swallows dipping and diving over the very muddy water and butterflies but by 12 20 we had only seen 1 lonely little duck.  The fact that the water is so muddy and with mud up about 2ft up the trees makes us feel like we are on the African Queen going down a tropical stretch of water.  We had lunch on the way, we saw a bit more wild life, group of ducks, a swan with 2 cygnets and quite surprisingly an Egret, it was small, also camera shy, it kept flying off in front of us, too far away to get a snap.  There was a skinny Grey (Mr) Heron, he was walking up and down one of the beaches at the side looking a little down and out, oh and a young cormorant diving for food, they really do stay down for a very long time.  We passed a few nice pubs on the way with moorings on the waterside and a Caravan Park, the vans where on stilts, I guess to try and be above the water when its in flood.  Lilizan and Rosie NBs were just in front of us, they set of 2 hours before us according to Derek but they were fastened together using one engine, hence the slow movement.  Lower Lode Hotel, was a lovely pub opposite Cheltenham College Boat House, it had loads of lovely flags wafting merryily along the slipway and lots of people out on the picnic tables enjoying their lunch in the sunshine, there were of course boats moored along the edge of the water to complete the picture.  Approaching Lode  Lock the water is flat calm, the back part is like an amphitheatre, it has steps at theside so you can climb up if theres a problem and the gates are vast, its a commercial lock, but as we are all by ourselves and everything is still it’s quite serene.  We only  went up a foot or so, we were no sooner in than out, it made us both smile.  Avon lock camp upon us quite quickly, I saw the turning for when we set off again, probably Sunday, it was signposted Worcester, its a way we haven’t been before so something new to look forward to.  Im just hoping he weather is cooler as I don’t fancy locking in this heat, we will sort that out when we have to.  There were 2 NBs going in the lock so we fastened off at the pontoon and waited.  A massive cruiser pulled out from the pontoons, they are in front of us in a kind of cul- de- sac, I thought he might be going in the lock too, which meant a longer wait in the searing heat, luckily he turned and went towards Gloucester.  The temperature in the cratch with the flaps open is nearly 30, its so hot.  We went through the lock very smoothly, the Lockie was chatting to Derek about the engine, he really likes it, Derek told him what we planned to do, and he said we  could moor right outside the lock where we were before.  Through the lock, there was a NB (family from New Zealand on it) it was in the space we were going to use, a broadbeam was going through first, so we hovered about a bit and then pulled behind and slightly alongside the NZ NB to wait for him to go through.  We had a lovely chat with the New Zealand lady and her mum, they had been to Stratford on Avon and seen all the places we had and they were now on their way to Worcester.  Their final destination is Oxford to pick up their son, whose coming over from New Zealand.  We wished them a safe journey and waved them off as they went into the lock, we may see them on the way if they don’t go too quickly.  Derek fastened us up and busied himself putting bigger fenders round, keeping us off the metal and wooden moorings.  I had a wash and brush up and change of clothes and me and the kids went for a quick look see to town.  I got a bucket (spotted it last time I was here), its got a large lip on it, Derek says it could be used as a potty??  No takers yet.  I will paint it and use as a mop bucket, its white enamel with a blue line round the lip, so it looks a bit clinical!!? Maybe D is right?????   We had pizza and other bits and bobs for tea and all lazed around as its still really really hot.