From brucep@netscheme.co.uk Fri Sep 24 09:56:49 1999 Date: Tue, 24 Aug 1999 23:59 0000 From: brucep@netscheme.co.uk Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Badger to Worcester pt3. Mmmm, I perhaps should have mentioned in part er 2? that between Ansty and Stafford, Badger had been ably crewed by our good friends Steve and Mandy! Anyway, resuming where we left off yesterday, wherever that was (!), this morning we arose a little later at about 6:45. A few minutes taking on water whilst the lock filled (which would make a big difference to the trim of th boat - bits of the fore-end being visible that hadn't seen the light of day for years being visible!) nd away we went down one of the most fascinating stretches of canal I have ever been on. For much of the run down from Greensforge to Stourport, the canal is hewn from solid rock (to the extent that the second lock of the day is called ..... wait for it ....... Rocky Lock!) Two tunnels, barely worthy of the epitaph tunnel, justify their exiance by being constructed byt the simple means of chewing a hole throight the native strata, lbeit with come brick arches here and there to stop the roof meeting the floor. At one lock, I think it was Whttington, the lock side is a veritable cliff complete with a man made cave. In other places, the rock actually overhngs the canal by several feet. The weather being somewhat drizzly, photo opportunities were rare but if those taken come out, I'll post them later in the week. After the stunning rural, wooded and rocky run come the urban environs of Kidderminster. Kidderminster does not turn its best face to the canal but it is of interest to those like myslef with a keen appreciation of industrial archaeology. Above Kiddermister Lock, there is a handy Sainsburys, but the moorings were occupied by wall to wall boats en-route to the Festival. An encounter tokk place as we passed with a friend of the original owner of Badger who promised to pass on our regards. The best view from the lock itslef is backwards, where St. Mary's Church overlooks the canal in some splendour. Forwards the view is all ring road I'm afraid! >From here on, the canal is largely urban in character, with just the occasional reoccurence of the rural nature of the earlier part of the day. Falling Sands Lock has so many peculiarites, that I can't find the energy to type a full description right now - go see for yourself! Arriving at Storuport, the strecth of 48 hour moorings above the basins was fully occupied, mostly with boats that appeared to be heading for the festival. We locked down into the upper basin and did what one has to do with the full Portapotti tank. The two boats lengths of vititor moorings being full, we dropped down through the lower basin and onto the river, tying just by the lock entrance on Severn Various bits of boat fettling occuied the rest of the afternoon and after a meal of reheated pies and beans, Glen and I toddld out for a few beers/ciders in the Angel, a pub unspoilt other than by the presence of an infernal TV. Now, having persuaded Glen not to drown himself by heading in the wrong direction, it is time for bed. Tomorrow will see us at Worcester by lunch time and then the work begins! Hope it stops raining (it's chucking it down right now) TTFN Bruce --- The UK Waterways Network - http://www.ukwaterways.net/ * bringing the inland waterways community together * You are currently subscribed to canals as: george@adiva.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-canals-407N@ukwaterways.net