Onto the River Severn and then the Staffs and Worcs

Thursday 17th May

From the Avon to the Severn

And so we venture onto the River Severn, a wide river much like the upper reaches of the Thames. Nor a great deal to see since the riverbanks are very high. The other strange thing is the lack of any markers on the way like bridges or landmarks  to give us some idea of where we are! We are so used to bridge numbers, or names or locks which indicate distances covered and here we  are with no point if reference.

Mythe Bridge our first on the River Severn

Gravel barges one laden the other empty 

Eventually we come across some gravel barges, which are indicated on the map do we are aware we are approaching the very pretty Upton-on-Severn. This was Our goal for a lunch break and an brief wander through the Union Flag lined streets, where most of the shops have displays for the imminent Royal Wedding of Harry and Megan. There is a holiday atmosphere in the town and it was a very pleasant break from the river.

Upton-on-Severn all dressed up for the wedding

The Pepperpot - a cupola-topped old church  in Upton-on-Severn 

Our plan was to moor in  Worcester that  evening and Worcester was the other side of our first Severn Lock. They are big! However,  being manned, except for getting our lines attached to the wires that are positioned down the sides of the locks at intervals we just have to sit together as hang on.

Diglis Lock

Having negotiated Diglis Lock we moored on a floating pontoon just above the lock. It was a lovely late afternoon so we had a bimble into the city along the charming and busy waterfront.  It was a beautiful evening with rowers on the river from the Kings School and a little later the Sea Scouts ventured out - much noisier than the serious oarsmen and women.

It's a long way down to Hunters Moon

 on the floating pontoon

We planned an early visit to the Cathedral in the morning.

Friday 18th May

Yet another bright blue sky  welcomed us this morning but still a rather chilly wind kept the temperature down.  We took a brisk walk along the river to the Cathedral and spent a hour or so feasting on the delights inside including the amazing crypt, which has a floor that in the 17th century was relayed with recycled gravestones. Who thought recycling was a 21st century idea? There was some beautiful stained glass windows including one designed as amazing memorial to Edward Elgar who had strong associations with the Cathedral.

A wall by the Watergate in Worcester which shows all the 

flood levels since the 1700's

We will definitely revisit  this fascinating city again at a later date but this was a very brief  glimpse as we had to get on our way in order to meet our very good friends in Stourport.

The river becomes a much more interesting stretch from hereon in. Then 3 more locks further on and many hours travelling brought us to the junction with the Staffs and Worcester  Canal at Stourport on Severn.

Approaching Stourport-on-Severn from the river

After the big, wide river it is a bit of a shock not only to be encountering a narrow canal but a double staircase.
We were just coming through the first chamber when Jenny spotted her great friend Bridget who was keeping an eye out for Hunters Moon . Much hugging and welcoming later we set about making our way through the locks and into the basin.

Hunters Moon coming through the staircase locks 

at Stourport on Severn 

A big welcome from Bridget 

Bridget and Dave live in Kidderminster so it was decided to meet up there later and  spend the evening together.

We found the moorings outside Sainsbury empty much to our surprise because the last time we passed through here it was full of junk boats. CRT have definitely been having a clear up.

We enjoyed a great evening catching up and drinking too much wine!

Saturday 19th May

Feeling and bit jaded we took the short walk to Sainsburys to stock up  with provisions then settled down to watch Harry and Megan's wedding over a  leisurely lunch.  The weather was warm and sunny so we had a pleasant afternoon cruise until we found a good mooring where we could enjoy a canal side bbq in the warm evening sunshine.

Sunday 20th May

Yet another beautiful day. We have been so lucky with this early section of our cruising season.  We continued along the Staffs and Worcs Canal in the warm sunshine as we head towards Great Haywood Marina,  where Hunters Moon is booked in for half term week as we return home for grandaughter minding, a wedding and family catching up.