Retracing our steps

Friday morning bright and early and we were off to the River. Another Beautiful morning as we left.
All three locks needed to be set and we also paused to drop off rubbish, so this phase took nearly an hour to work down. Happily another boat was wanting to come up so we didn't need to close the gates and pick up crew from the Riverside- this would have been a Right Faff so avoiding it was very welcome.

Going north we saw a rather splendid country house that looked rather French,  except for the rather Welsh colour scheme. As ever, you get a good distant view but nothing up close.
It's called Hallow Park, a deer park in the 14th century, and first leased then sold many times over. Now a wedding venue and other businesses, more info here: http://hallowhistory.blogspot.com

The River was on her absolute best behaviour for our last cruise with her this season.  

A black backed gull with a lucky find: a good sized fish, already dead.
All too soon we were turning off into Stourport.  At the first lock we were joined by a lady who was sadly selling her own boat: husband not well enough to continue. She set to, helped with the lock, went on and set the next one too. I suggested she could always consider volunteering with C&RT if she needs a boaty fix.

At the next lock we found ourselves the exhibit in an outdoor class: a new hire crew was receiving initial training and they were delighted to have a boat showing the way.
Saw this plaque walking around the basin to the final lock of the day, where we had to wait for another hire boat doing their first 'live' lock. Overseeing matters is this pretty but tiny cottage:
which was the canal toll office back in the day.

We moored a hundred yards or so further on. On Saturday Andrew leaves me in charge when he goes off to Warwick Folk Festival,  and just as an extreme heat alert is issued for Monday and Tuesday. So the tone of the blog will be somewhat different as I avoid travelling too far.




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