Tuesday 19th June I woke this morning at 7am and leapt out of bed to put the kettle on. My mood surprised me somewhat, as I had been listening to the love of my life snoring her head off, for most of the last 8 hours. The sun was shinning and the forecast good for most of the day. It's 8.30am, destination Stourport. A boat did go past about 7.30am so we were expecting empty locks to come but no, a boat comes up right on queue. It's very pretty through here. Some interesting and narrow bends round 90 degrees with sheer rocks on one side. Nearing Kidderminster there has been some considerable housebuilding since our last trip and still room for more. I seem to remember a marina being talked about but nothing yet. At 11am we reach Sainsbury's and stop for provisions. I have to compliment the catering department at this point, we have just ran out of most things, down to our last bottle of wine and we need some food as well. At midday we head off again and find ourselves at the head of a queue of 3 boats for the lock. It's anti vandal key time again. The anti vandal system here is much easier than on the Ashton. One flick of the key, releases a spring that allows a pin to shoot out of the way of the upcoming bit of the paddlegear. To close it again, simply push. The Ashton has a large clamp affair that folds over the mechanism which has to be wound and unwound into place with a long bolt. Takes forever in comparison. We help a boat coming up and then move on under the roads in the centre of Kiddy and onto my favourite lock, Caldwall. High rock to one side and trees and bushes of different shades of green all round. Superb. Even with all this water, the canal is shallow in places. Another Kingfisher darts along. At one point it sits on a branch overhanging the canal. As I reach for my camera, to late, in a flash it's gone. Prior to entering Stourport the canal twists and turns in final flurry before the straight bit that are the 5 day moorings. I had expected these to be full of boats waiting to get on the Severn but no, 200 yards or so before the lock there is a mooring with LT's name on it. A spot of lunch and time to investigate. We walk down to the waters edge and it looks ok. Wendy and I chat to the very helpful BW chaps in the office and are informed that the river is open but only recommended to Worcester. We know from phone calls made on route today that The river is in flood from Diglis down to Gloucester. Now, BW will not stop anyone travelling on the Severn but a disclaimer needs to be signed after Diglis. We decide there is not much to be gained by going on, so stay put. Overnight more rain is expected but nobody is prepared to say how that will effect the river. It changes hour by hour. There are automatic red lights on the locks here, you can't get it wrong. Tomorrow will be make your mind up time. We either get the boat all the way to Gloucester over the next two days or we are probably stuck here for a week. Tonight we are having a macro GIG curry with Staffy. Good day, even with all the uncertainty.
Regards Andrew & Wendy from The Cut PS My spoolchucker thinks Staffy is Stuffy. Never :-)
