Down the Severn to Worcester

Telford's 150 foot cast iron Holt Fleet Road Bridge (1828)

Started at 8:20 with perfect weather - sun, blue skies, only a little wind. Down one lock to the main Stourport basin and then two sets of staircase locks to takes us onto the Severn.

River boating is very different to the canals. The locks are much larger - taking two narrowboats with ease, and are manned so no work needed. The depth and width of the river means that we could put really work the engine as we reached a speed of 5.8 mph (as measured by my satnav). OK you may not think that is fast, but it feels fast enough on a narrowboat with the water splashing and the engine roaring.

Entering Worcester

12 miles and 3 locks later we reached Worcester, the cathedral looking very impressive from the river. After stopping for lunch we went up the locks out of the Severn into Diglis Basin on the Birmingham & Worcester Canal. Not as large as Stourport, but still good to see.

We have now moored in Lowesmoor Basin near the centre of Worcester where we have booked a 5 day mooring as Denise is catching a train tomorrow to spend the weekend with friends. Mains electricity is available so there will be no need to run the engine except perhaps for hot water.

As we wont be moving for a few days, the next blog entry will be on Tuesday.