What, Worcester again?

Having turned onto the Worcester and Birmingham canal,  the vibe is immediately much busier, with many more possible mooring spots, moored boats, and somewhat more traffic.
After a few lock free miles, we had a flight, motorway and railway all coming up so decided to stop for the day.
A heatwave is building and this spot is shady in the morning but good for solar charging.

On Saturday we went for a walk past the first few locks and into the edge of Worcester, for ice cream, Andrew's current fixation, it would appear. And back again, to check out the two pubs in the village where we have stopped: Tibberton. Rude not to?

Discussions have been raging. On Wednesday Andrew's sister Melanie, visiting from Australia,  is bringing their Mum to see us and have lunch. Mum is quite shaky on her feet and registered blind.. one eye is out, the other not too great. But she would like to see, and ideally get on board, the boat. 

So we need a canalside pub, with car park. We had thought Stourport, but although dozens of pubs, there are none that match the requirement. Worcester, likewise: canalside not much developed from a drinking / eating point of view. Then we thought of the Lenchford on R. Severn,  which has moorings for a good 6 boats. But Andrew worried that we might not get on all the same.

So we're staying here. The Bridge has shallow steps to the towpath, directly above visitor moorings for 2 days. We're currently on 14 day moorings just around the corner so we can tootle into place on Tuesday.. plenty of room on Friday night so omens good.

Sunday: hot. AD walked to the chandlery back at the Junction, a 6 mile round trip, and got another brass plaque.. AJ turned down this opportunity,  preferring housework. Also prepped a salmon salad for the evening: but otherwise, lounged on the towpath, in the shade of the hedge. As the evening progressed, AD rigged up a golfing umbrella to shade the deck.
It looks as though an algae bloom is brewing: the surface of the water starts to look smeary when undisturbed for a while.

Monday: hotter. Boats moving from first light before the heat kicked in. There is a bus to Worcester at 10.26 
and we went to the laundrette there, then a brief shop, then back on the 13.35. Really good to get out of the noise and heat of the city and back into our hedge.

Tuesday: cooler but overcast and steamy, even a sprinkle of rain midmorning. At lunchtime we met with AJs cousin Nick, giving the Bridge's claim to be a gastropub a trial run. Can report: the best chips I've had for ages, but couldn't finish the huge portion, excellent gf burger also.

After lunch and before siesta, we moved the boat into position:
Top mooring!
The evening felt a tiny bit fresher but still hot.
Wednesday 13th and on parade for more visitors. Keeping on top of clean hot weather gear and air conditioning at one stroke:
Andrew's mum and sister arrived safely and we had a terrific catchup and excellent lunch. Was well stuck in before I remembered a photo:
They then came and inspected the boat and we carried on exchanging news.  At the same time, we budged up to let a 70' trading boat fit on the mooring.
All too soon it was time to wave goodbye and to settle into digesting lunch and prepping for an early start tomorrow. 12 or so locks down into Worcester. If we get a wiggle on we'll be there for lunch.

So, on the move at 7.45am, a beautifully sunny morning.

Our single handing neighbour had left a few minutes before though so we soon overlapped at the locks. Then another single hander ran to unmoor and get moving in front of us. He had been in such a hurry that he had left his fenders down.  Figuring that if he got stuck in the lock it would hold us up too, I walked ahead, Andrew progressing at tickover, to let him know, and closed the gates behind him..

Very soon we had evidence that we were within the city limits.
And further on:
We were at Lowesmoor Marina for 12.30pm for a pump out and moored by the Commandery for 1.30pm. Alison went to Lidl for groceries (attracted by French wine, melons on special and a powerbank battery) but failed to find scones. So on her return it was Andrew's turn for a little walk, heading for ASDA.

And.. relax!



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