Prestwood to The Bratch.

 

A dismal start this morning meant the shorts stayed in the cupboard and the cords came back out again. Throughout the mornings trip it has tried to drizzle on and off. Nearly all the locks were set in our favour, same as yesterday. I checked the bottom of my boots to make sure I hadn’t trod in something nasty!

At Botterham staircase locks Jo discovered that not only was the bottom lock empty, which was handy, but so was the top one, I mean completely empty, so after I had put Hadar into the empty bottom lock, Jo then had to completely fill the top lock.

Despite this setback, we still arrived and passed through the Bratch locks before 10:00am, which surprised me as I had calculated it would take us longer to get here. It surprised Jo when I told her she had done 12 locks this morning, She obviously is enjoying working locks too much! We timed it just right as the drizzle turned to more steady rain just after we moored up, I better check the bottom of my boots again.

Keith.

Researching Measham Teapots

 

A fellow boater and blogger was interested in whether we had done any research into our recently restored Measham Teapot Emma. At present we have not done so, but now it has been restored and we are going to keep it, we may well do some research, however this may prove a little difficult as we only have the name “Emma Ross” and the date 1879 to go on.

However we may be more successful with our other teapots, which have more information on their plaques as follows:-

• Mr & Mrs Mallender Orchard St. Newall
  Undated
• Mrs H Mold. New End
  from Mary
  Undated
• A present to Mr & Mrs Pinkard Tiffield
  from their son Thomas
  1884
• Mr & Mrs Hickmough
  Warrington
  1882
• James Ashwood
  Spinners Arms
  1881

I am not sure if the one from Thomas to his parents is Mr & Mrs Pinkard Tiffield, but more likely to be Mr & Mrs Pinkard of Tiffield, seeing there is a place called Tiffield in Northamptonshire.

I did try to do some online research on the Spinners Arms, but found nothing that I could relate to James Ashwood.

Keith.

Wolverley to Prestwood Bridge No.34

 

An early start this morning, 6:00am, first of many until the end of the school holidays in September. A 4 hour cruise has brought us to Prestwood Bridge No.34. There is a ringed mooring here, and as can be seen in the satellite picture above dense tree on the east bank, and a line of polar trees on the east bank and south of us. We should be nicely sheltered from the sun here today, especially as it is going to be Scorchio!

 

As we were mooring up Steve Wood on Bream came through the bridge ‘ole and we had a brief chat before he set off again, heading for the River Severn.

Our reasons for early starts  for the next few weeks are as follows.

1. With more boats (especially more hire boats) on the move during the school holidays, starting early avoids us having to queue at locks, especially during any hot days.
2. We avoid travelling in the heat of the midday sun.
3. Jo can cook the evening meal whilst it is still relatively cool outside and inside the boat, rather than when the boat is like an oven anyway. Yes we do have salads this time of year, but not every day.
4. Hadar being 70ft long and deeper drafted it is easier to find a 70ft deep water mooring, especially once other boats start to move off, which is usually about 9:00am.
5. With canals like the Staffs & Worcs, which has a few narrow sections and tight corners, it is easier to negotiate these knowing it is highly unlikely someone is coming the other way early in the morning.
6. And finally the school kids are still in bed and not down on the canalside throwing things at us! Bless ‘em.

Keith.

Restoration of Emma Ross 1879

 

Let me introduce you to Emma.

This is Emma, one of three Measham teapots I bought in one lot at auction. She is called Emma because Evelyn Booth called her that in correspondence with us. She is dated 1879 (The oldest of our now 4 teapots) and the full name on the plaque is “Emma Ross”. As we travelled down the Staffs & Worcs towards Droitwich, we stopped at Evelyn & Graham’s and showed Emma to them, as we know Graham does restoration work on Meashamware. We left Emma with them for Graham to try to bring her back to some of her previous glory. It is hard from the photo above, which was taken before restoration, to see what needed to be done but if you look very closely you can see that at some time someone had previously attempted to repair the tip of the spout, the handle and some of the top edge.

 

This photo is Emma today.

We had moored overnight at Wolverley lock as this is near to where they live, and they came down by car to bring Emma back to us, and, as previously they had been very kind to give us lunch when we called at their house, I had said we would treat them to lunch out, which we duly had at “The Lock Inn”.

We are extremely pleased with the result. Graham has done a splendid job. Of course we had a great afternoon with them, chatting about all sorts of things. We count ourselves very fortunate to know them both, and enjoy their company when we can.

To those who do not know Evelyn & Graham, Evelyn runs a business called “Lockside Antiques” and she deals in, besides Meashamware, lace and ribbon plates, cabin lace, brassware, rag rug kits, and much more besides. A visit to her website is essential if you are wanting those special little items for your boat. They can also be found running a stall at the Braunston Historic Boat Rally, Stourbridge, and occasionally Crick. Graham has recently written 2 articles for Wateways World, one article last month about lace and ribbon plates, and the other about Meashamware, which is in the current issue.

Keith.

Temeraire and Tenacious

Yesterday afternoon we had a walk around Wolverley, a fascinating little village, underneath the church, and much of it cut into the rock. On our way back we met up with Ian on Temeraire and Tenacious waiting to go down through the lock. We had quite along chat with him as his crew first locked the butty down, then the motor. It was back in 2008 when we first met Ian on the BCN explorer Cruise, he was in charge of our group and this is the first time we have met him since then.

 

Why is the Himalayan Balsam called a Policeman’s Helmet?

 

I have never seen a policeman wear a pink helmet!!

Keith.

Wilden Pool to Wolverley

 

A fairly early start this morning, 6:55am, with a warm but dull start, even had my shorts on, but needed to pop a fleece on once we were underway (I can get Rheumatism in my shoulders if they get cold). We stopped at the Tesco moorings in Kidderminster to do a food shop, then carried on to the Sainsbury's moorings, where whilst Jo unpacked the shopping I popped into Maplin’s for a new TV aerial.

When I originally bought the existing aerial, I didn’t read the specifications, which clearly state that the amplifier power supply box must not be run at much over 12volts DC. At first we used to use an inline meter to find the strongest signal but for this to work I had to remove the amplifier from the aerial, but I left the power supply box in circuit to convert from the digital aerial lead to the standard lead to the TV. Of course I also did not notice that when it was all switched on the red led on the power supply box meant it wasn’t working, again from not having read the instructions properly, so of course what has happened is that the first time we ran the generator and charger which puts out 14.4volts this cooked the p0wer supply. Now we no longer use the meter, because I get a compass bearing by using this handy site, we set the aerial by this compass bearing. To use this site all you need to find is the Ordnance Survey Reference for where you are, which you can get from some online map sites. It gives the transmitters which should be within your range, the compass bearing, the distance from the transmitter, and whether it is horizontal or vertical polarity. A meter doesn’t tell you that. It also tells you which digital channels the transmitter uses.

To overcome this problem of the overvoltage I also bought a 12volt regulator, which I shall fit inside the new power unit box, there is plenty of room in there. We will now have a fully functional amplified aerial which should make reception a lot better, and a spare aerial just in case!

 

 

All shopping safely stowed we set off again for Wolverley, where we were surprised to find no one moored above the lock, so we had a difficult decision to make, which part of the visitor moorings to moor on? Such a hard life!

Keith.

Stourport to Wilden Pool

A short journey this morning, we are now moored between Bullock’s Lane bridge No.9 and Oldington bridge No.10, between Stourport and Kidderminster, it took all of an hour to get here. The sun is shining brightly, so some topping up of the suntan is called for after lunch. No TV signal though so we won’t be watching the Grand Prix :(

Keith.

Moved but Still in Upper Basin Stourport

 

We moved to the next mooring down from this one in the photo this morning, where we moored on our journey down through Stourport. It became vacant this morning, and as Jo wanted to do a lot of washing in the washing machine it was convenient to move here and use the shoreline for a while. Also it stops our bow being clobbered by boats entering and leaving the sanitary station. Happy Days!

Keith.

Worcester to Stourport

A cool but bright start to the morning, but it definitely warmed up by the time we arrived at Stourport. Unfortunately there were no moorings out on the river so we headed for the narrow locks. One boat was already queueing to go up, so I had to pull alongside two boats breasted on the moorings. Eventually I was able to enter the lock and we arrived in the upper basin, and moored up next to the sanitary station. After cheeseburgers in rolls, we wandered around the town. Upon our return, Lesley off of nb Caxton called to see us, having heard our engine. Their new boat has started to be built, and they are mooring here in the basin whilst it is being built.

Keith.

Upton-upon-Severn to Worcester.

 

 

This mornings trip was definitely more like summer to start with, then the clouds returned, but by the time we arrived at Worcester it is still at least quite warm. We have moored at the southern end of Worcester Racecourse this time in this side of the footbridge in the photo and the rowing club, which is just out of shot to the left. We are closer to the city, so we will be walking into the city this afternoon after lunch for another explore.

We managed to get a different view of the cathedral this afternoon, from the riverbank walk.

Down along the riverbank was a gateway and in the wall next to the gate were all these flood marks over the years.

We heard lots of cheering from the other side of the river so we had to investigate, by crossing over the river at the bridge to discover the Worcestershire County Cricket ground, where they were playing Somerset, and are 367-3 at 8:30pm. We walked back to the boat on the other side of the river and Jo took this photo of Hadar as we crossed the new footbridge.

As we were walking back from the cricket ground we decided that we had to draw up a list of things we have to do, cricket match, rugby match, football match, grey hound racing, speedway and horse racing so far. Once back at the boat I looked up Worcester Racecourse to discover there was racing on tonight. After dinner we strolled over to the course to watch some of the racing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very pleasant way to pass an evening.

Keith.

Great day at Upton-upon-Severn

 

 

A day of sunshine and warmth at last. We started off with a walk around the town again, visiting the shops that were closed yesterday, especially the 2 charity shops. After lunch we visited the museum, which was crammed packed with lots of artefacts, and curios.

We returned to the boat and joined Brian of nb Kyle and Lorraine and Fred of NB Sarah on the pontoon between their 2 boats. This resulted in us heading for “Ye Olde Anchor Inn”, which we sat outside and enjoyed a couple of pints and some great banter. The perfect end to a perfect day.

 

Keith.

Yew Tree Inn to Upton-upon-Severn

 

The sun has shone for most of the morning, makes a nice change after the last week. We were heading for Worcester today as I thought there would be no moorings available at Upton, but when we got here there was room on the pontoons for us, so we pulled in and moored up. Time to explore Upton this afternoon.

Keith.

Gloucester to the Yew Tree Inn, Chacely Stock

 

 

An earlyish start this morning with the first locking down from Gloucester Docks at 8:45am. We were in company with 2 other narrowboats in the lock, and we slid in between the 2 of them. I let them leave the lock before me, as I thought they would be faster, Mystic Lady was, but Cartonia wasn’t and I had to hold back until we cleared the East Channel at Upper Parting, and the river widened. We have moored at the Yew Tree at Chacely Stock, As I didn’t want to chance going too far and not being able to get a mooring. At least the sun is out today, a few black clouds have passed over but fortunately they did just that, pass over, without emptying upon us.

Keith.

Saul Junction to Gloucester Docks

 

 

It did try to rain, but was hardly worth worrying about. We stopped at the Sainburys moorings and shopped. Then we carried on into Gloucester Docks to look for a mooring. There was room in the barge arm opposite the Waterways Museum, so we pulled in and moored up. Just having lunch before deciding what to do for the rest of the day.

This is Hadar moored in the barge arm outside the Waterways Museum.

Keith.

Stroudwater Canal (The Other Bit)

 

This morning we set off with packed lunches, cameras, etc. and headed up the other part of the Stroudwater Canal, which is under restoration towards Stroud itself. The first section up to Whitminster road bridge is still in use as lineside moorings and access to Saul Marina. From the bridge the canal towpath is overgrown, but a footpath cuts the corner and re-joins the canal at Whitminster lock.

 

Here at the l0ck we noticed these lock gates dated 1996. It seemed strange to us that they had been fitted then and basically left here to rot, especially as they are not actually serving and practical purpose, being that they are left open and just a couple of yards beyond them the canal is dammed off. From this point the canal has been removed as part of a field, but the towpath still runs alongside the River Frome, and at the lock the canal will be rerouted into the river for the next section. The canal ran parallel to the river for a short distance before it crossed it, at the same level. This next photo was taken from the bridge which crosses the river just upstream from the original junction, and this is the River Frome.

 

From here you can follow the canal again until this bridge.

 

This looks very out of place where it is. We carried along the towpath until we arrived at the A38. Here looked like there could have been a wharf which is very close to the village of Frombridge. From the A38 the canal disappears until after the M5. As our map didn’t extend any further than this point we decided to give on on tracing the canal any further, especially as one footpath we tried in the general direction, came to a field with an electric fence which we didn’t fancy crossing, and although it was marked as a footpath from the road, there was no stile of gate giving further access.

We decided to retrace out footsteps to the bridge where we sat under a huge oak tree and had lunch. After lunch we carried on and met a couple walking their 2 dogs near Whitminster lock and we got chatting to them. They have a boat in the marina, so I asked about the canal from this point and they explained that it did originally border the field, but as could be seen the farmers over many years had ploughed away all but the towpath which now runs alongside the river, and they confirmed that the restoration will in fact take the river from this point to the original crossing junction.

We took a slight detour on our way back and visited Whitminster church. It has an unusual double tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keith.

Golden Age of Canals to be Rebroadcasted

 

 

Jo has just received an e-mail from Available Light Productions Ltd, the TV company who filmed us last year, to tell her that the program "The Golden Age of Canals" is being televised again this time on BBC 2 on this coming Friday, 22nd July at 9pm after it got a record breaking audience on BBC4.

Keith.

Framilode & Saul Churches

We have just had a lovely walk from Saul junction following the abandoned Stroudwater canal from Saul Junction down to the River Severn. as we approached Framilode the footpath became what was originally the towpath for the abandoned canal, which is surprisingly very much in water. Even more surprising was when the footpath came to the Ship Inn which backs onto the footpath and the old canal.

Further along the footpath/towpath we came across this row of cottages which from the stone wall at the canals edge would have probably been Framilode Wharf.

At the River we came across Framilode Church which has this amazing highly decorated interior to the roof.

We walked back along the road from Framilode to the village of Saul where we came across the church with some unusual aspects. All the paths from the gates to the church are grassed, which we have never seen before, and the entrance porch was this very pretty wooden one.

It has recently been stripped of many years of paint and looked amazing in it’s natural state. We have never seen a wooden entrance before. We know all about this because as we arrived an elderly lady appeared and invited us to look inside. She lived just opposite and had always lived in the village, and was married in this church. She told us about the porch. Apparently the work had been undertaken by a local man, and it had taken him along time to strip it back to natural wood, but it was well worth it. Just a covering of oil and it looked like new.

We finished our trip with lunch and a beer at The Stables cafe at Sandford Bridge. We had started sitting out on the balcony, until our lunch arrived and it started to rain, so we had to scurry inside.

Before signing off I would like to give a mention to Dick and Sue who came to see us today. Dick and Sue who very kindly read our blog and have their own boat, thought they would come and find us as they were close by. It is always lovely to meet people who take the time to read ours and others blogs.

Keith.

Frampton to Saul Junction

 

 

A short cruise this morning to Saul Junction, where we will be doing some exploring hopefully, as it looks like a place to explore with the old canal down to the River Severn, and the Stroudwater canal which is under restoration.

 

Keith.

Slimbridge to Frampton on Severn

 

A short journey this morning from Slimbridge to Frampton on Severn. We moored up before Fretherne swing bridge and walked into the village and along the half mile long village green.

The Cadbury's factory near Fretherne Bridge was established in 1916. Ground cocoa beans and sugar were blended with milk collected from local farms, and the mixture was baked to form chocolate crumb. This was taken by narrow boat to Bournville for final processing. I assume the cocoa beans and sugar arrived by ship at Sharpness, and were either delivered directly to the factory, or transferred into barges at Sharpness for shipment to the Frampton Factory.

As throughput increased, the huge concrete silo was needed to provide additional storage for the crumb. The factory closed in 1983, but the wharf area is now a small industrial estate.

 

Keith.

Hadar under Torpedo Attack!

Whilst we were visiting the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust on Friday this Fairey Swordfish Mk.II of the Royal Navy Historic Flight passed over on it's way to the Royal International Air Tatoo at Fairford this weekend. I wonder if the torpedo strung underneath it is a real one? Even I am impressed with the photo capturing the prop stationary without any blurring.

You can find out further info about the visiting aircraft at the Air Tattoo Website.

Keith.

Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetland Trust

 

We had a great day at the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust. Between us we took many photos and Jo has uploaded just some of them, 56 actually,  to an album on her facebook page, which you can view by clicking on the photo above. Easier than having to post them all again here!

Thank goodness it didn’t rain like it has today.

Keith.

Sharpness to Patches Bridge

 

Sunshine at last, very little wind at last. A short trip today to Patches Bridge, which is near Shepherd’s Patch. We will be spending the weekend here. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, which is not far from the bridge, which is the main road access to the trust. We have been looking forward to visiting the trust ever since we knew we were heading this way.

Keith.

Hadar Winding in Droitwich

 

We have just been sent this excellent photo of Hadar winding in Vines Park, Droitwich, during the boat parade at the reopening festival. It was taken from Dodderhill Church tower. Many thanks to Chris on Lazerblue who took the photo and Adrian Smith for forwarding it onto us.

Keith.