Saturday 11 April 09. Worcester to Stourport. 5 locks and a bit of a River.

After the decision to head towards Llangollen was made, the first part of our trip would take us some way up the River Severn,

leaving the two huge locks that take you down to the river we entered an entirely different world, partly boat motorway with boats trying to go faster than the one in front,

and partly a sporting arena. There were at least four rowing clubs along the bank and they all seemed to be out today including these young canoeists.

A different view of that noisy cathedral. When we arrived back on (Good) Friday the bells started chiming, they went through a 15 second routine of about twelve bells ringing all at once.

Nice you might think,

This went on for four and a half hours!!! at the end of that we were both just a little bit cranky.

So farewell Worcester cathedral.

I mean that, I really do mean that.

Our first river bridge, slightly larger than what we are used to but all is well if you don't hit it. We were going against the flow so navigating is easier.

Can you make out that half a tree wedged on the bridge support? That is a good seven feet above the present water level.

This is the type of thing that makes me very wary of rivers at this time of year especially in our narrowboat. A few days of rain is all it takes to turn this beautiful, peaceful scene into a raging torrent.

More logs piled high by the force of the water.

Being overtaken by a canoeist.......... again.

Our first river lock, these are manned and you cannot operate them yourself. Traffic lights tell you what is going on.

Red for don't even think about it.

Flashing red for wait while the lock empties.

And Green for go.

In we go then, they tell you which side they want you to go to then open the sluices in such a way as to hold the boat against the wall. All very clever.

More Mistletoe, looks like Christmas balls in a tree,........ funny that.


Arrived at Stourport very late in the afternoon, have found a mooring and will be moving onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal in the morning.

So until then........