Droitwich

Overnight the flow down the Severn had increased considerably so we set off back through Bevere Lock and asking the locky what the air draft was under the M5 tunnel up at Droitwich. 1.8 mtrs was his reply. The height of our tiller is 1.77mtrs with the tiller pin withdrawn, so game on!
Plugging the flow we soon reached the first lock at the junction with the R Severn, doubles I'm afraid.
We met a C&RT man at one of the locks further up and he said that it had been extremely busy over the Bank Holiday weekend but only met one boat coming from the opposite direction and that was from our marina in Stourport, Bewdley Jester. The last time we came up through the Droitwich canal was during the year it was re-opened in 2010. Then it was heavily reeded and in places room for only one boat width. Now, however, it is much wider over its whole length. maybe its because we are at the beginning of the growing season, Indeed, as the canal stretches away in the distance one can see a definite green line where the new growth is approx 2ft tall set against the dead brown colour of last years crop.
Arriving at the moorings in Vines Park we were able to reverse into the end slot in pole position. Just as were preparing to think about eating we were conscious of the continuous variations in engine noise as a Canal Club boat was trying to reverse into one of the last available slots between two other boats. The wind did not let him achieve this as it blew the bow around and so he moored on the very outside on the easiest of mooring points. Trouble was, this is a watering point with a clear notice to this effect. On with the shoes and a quiet word advising the visiting Australian of the fact and I ushered him into a berth with a little more manoeuvring space.
Anxious of the possibility of not being to be able to negotiate the M5 tunnel in the morning we walked along the canal to take a closer look. Our fears we unfounded when the level board indicated an air draft of some 1.85mtrs.
So, back to the boat for some Coq a Vin and a glass or two and then a visit to the Gardeners Arms that we spotted on our walk. The last time we visited the town this was a very run down pub but in the meantime it has been tastefully refurbished boasting some superb real ales and a good menu. We have now noted this for the next time we visit.
The Tardebigge beckons!