Down the Severn and off at Worcester

During breakfast we noticed that the boat was rocking in an unexpected manor. Looking out of the side hatch we were amazed to see a whole host of rowers passing us. They were all types, singles, doubles, coxed eights, youth and OAPs as well. They had come up from the Worcester rowing school downstream, the rain didn't seem to put them off either.

Last night's mooring outside the Camp House Inn

Approaching Worcester in the rain

The famous swans

After leaving the river and negotiating the two wide locks at the beginning of the Worcester and Birmingham canal, we moored up as we believe that our first boat Anna of The Five Towns was moored in Diglis basin. The last time we saw her she was in a sorry state and looked totally neglected. After a short search, there she was in all her former splendour! It looked as though she had been re-painted in her original colours.  On closer inspection we noticed that one of the stern doors was slightly ajar and she was rocking slightly. Yes, there was someone aboard. We got his attention and explained that we were taking a nostalgic look at our former boat to which he invited us aboard. Wow what a transformation inside and out. Much of the original fit out was still intact together with the Lister HR2 air cooled engine that Steve gladly started up for us. Strangely he put ear plugs in and produced a sound meter that showed it ticking over at 107db! I used to love the thump thump of this lovely engine that we were once told that would run on sand. Well done Steve and Ali.

Moving on we came across the Worcester canal festival taking place. Shame it was raining as there were few people frequenting the stalls with a whole roast pig hardly touched.

Our stop for the night is outside the Bridge Inn just beyond the roar of the M5 holiday traffic. Oh well, might have to have an extra pint later to drown out the noise overnight!