From andydyke@email.msn.com Wed May 5 23:09:55 1999 Date: Wed, 6 May 1998 20:38:02 +0100 From: Andrew L Dyke Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: Canals Subject: Trip Report / Evesham To Upton. Hi All, Well, we finally got away. Sunday morning we left our mooring at Sankey Marine ( our own mooring in Evesham is still a mess) and headed down river. At the first lock, Chadbury, we found all sorts of rubbish and logs in the lock itself. We went in carefully and when the lock was empty, tried to get some of out but the water from the weir kept it firmly in place. We pressed on to an amazing sight of a 1/2 mile or so of river with the trees and bushes on each side covered in rubbish of every sort and I mean every sort. How long it will stay there I don't know. Some of it will be very difficult to get at. We travelled slower than usual, we had been warned that the river was covering many items that could be a hazard to navigation. On to Fladbury and the scene was much the same. The weather overcast and quite cold. Fladbury lock was clear apart from a huge log that had been secured by the weir. The notice advising water height had been buckled by the force of water. We go through with a hire boat, its only their 2nd lock so we show them the ropes. Just the other side of the lock we see Nb Navy Lark, usually moored above the lock. She is now on her side, on the river bank. Such a sad sight. About 2 miles or so down river from Faldbury, we see a woman running across the field and waving wildly. This woman has a problem I thought, I'm quick like that, and sure enough her boat and that of her husband had hit something in the river and the steering cable had snapped. We give them a tow to Wyre Piddle. David and Susan, were old chums by this time, have arranged to be collected and driven to Bromsgrove, where a new cable can be purchased. The trip goes on much as before. The amount of rubbish gets less as we get further away from Evesham but the amount of boats either sunk or in fields is unbelievable. Its a pleasant enough day and we are enjoying our first trip of the year. Nb One Moore is performing perfectly. All systems are go. Apart from a dent on the stern and some bare metal where paint should be, you would never know she had been in the 'Flood Wars'. As we approach Tewkesbury the sun come out. Its 5pm and the trip has taken 8 hours, no much longer than usual. Locks in your favour can make a big difference. We moor up at the Marina. 5ukp for the night. I decide to clean the outside brass mushrooms. They have not been done since last year and are a real mess. 2 hours later they do look better and I have had enough. In to the clubhouse for din din at 8pm (after watching Coronation Street, great TV picture in Tewkesbury, you can even get Channel 5!). Sitting on the balcony watching the last of the boats moor up and the sun going down we see a great sight. Yes its David and Susan in the boat Sharwane and its steering perfectly. We eat, faggots for me and steak pie for Wendy, all very good value and very tasty. David and Susan join us and tell of the day they have had. 160ukp lighter in the wallet but the boat is now fixed. They come from Burnley in Lancashire and moor their boat at Tewksbury. Apparently Mum lives near and they can kill two birds with one stone when they visit. After a few wetts, as you do, we staggered of to bed. Our first night on board for 6 months. We wake late! and have breakfast in the clubhouse. The do a real mucky greasy breakfast for 3.95ukp and its great. We leave at 12 noon and head for Upton On Severn. At the lock in Tewkesbury, the wind gets up just as I am going in and I have some difficulty in controlling the boat but all ok in the nick of time. Lots of people watching as always when you almost make a pigs ear it. The lockkeeper lets us through for 3ukp when we inform her we are only going to Upton for some work to be done on the boat and then coming straight back. We were expecting to have to pay for a months license some 66ukp, so this was a nice surprise. On we go. The weather is still cold and grey, the Severn flowing quite fast and I have to power up a bit. Several boats wizz past (or is it passed) us and quite a lot going the other way. I sit back and enjoy the view. After 2 hours we reach Upton and Ian from Starline is waiting for us. We spend some time talking over the details of the paint job and other bits and bobs we want him to do for us, including painting the Evesham Coat of Arms on both sides. At 4.30pm ish we get into our car, that had been left there 3 days earlier and drove the 20 minutes home. Funny old trip this. Nice to be back on the water and in our own boat, that so nearly came to be at the bottom of the river but so sad to see the lovely River Avon in such a mess. Don't Fall In, Andrew