Down the River Severn with Karen and Nick

 Wednesday 20 July Stourport-on-Severn to Worcester (9 locks, 13 miles)

Up at 5.45am, we reached Stourport at 9.30am. John’s flowers had survived the heat wave, miraculously. Did some unknown person water them? If so, thank you! The three extra replacement planters were added to the roof display.

We moved Annie down York Street lock to use the services in the basin and water the plants using our bucket. Nick and Karen had set off at 8am, but their Sat Nav took them a funny way. We had breakfasts at The Windlass Cafe (close to the Tontine hotel/flats). They arrived just in time to do the same!

Once LIDL had been visited and car unloaded, Liana walked to the narrow staircase locks where Nick tried his hand at steering, negotiating the first double staircase and avoiding a boat coming up the other staircase, in the curved pound between  - not easy in a wind! We descended the second staircase and Nick took Annie onto the river.

John helped a bit at the huge Lincomb River Lock, where you need to secure ropes at bow and stern around vertical wire “risers” set into the lock side walls about every twenty feet.

We cruised this beautiful day through Holt Lock, past the Droitwich Barge Canal to Bevere Lock, and on the last few miles to Worcester, where John turned Annie and let Liana off at the lock pontoon before we went up the two locks into Diglis Basin at Worcester.

We moored after the water point, just off the basin.

Thursday 21 July Worcester to Tewkesbury (17 miles, 4 locks)

We had a pleasant morning walking around the town, ending up with coffee at  the Diglis Hotel riverside.

Volunteers helped us down the two locks, then we soon reached Diglis River Locks. After this, it is a straight run downriver to Tewkesbury, passing working aggregate barges on the way. Upton moorings were full, so we didn't stop this time.

Passing up the Avon Navigation Trust lock at Tewkesbury, we moored just above, paying the £5 overnight fee.

Friday 22 July Tewkesbury to Gloucester (14 miles, 3 locks)

After breakfast we all headed into town to enjoy the tudoresque buildings, the ancient Abbey and finished at Cafe Chocolat for a  treat!

Saturday 23 July in Gloucester

Sunday 24 July Gloucester to Saul Junction (8 miles, 0 locks)

Monday 25 July Saul Junction to Slimbridge (4 miles, 0 locks)

Tuesday 26 July Slimbridge Wetlands Centre

Wednesday 27 July at Slimbridge

Thursday 28 July back to Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Friday 29 - Sunday 31 July visiting the family

Monday 1 August Slimbridge to Sharpness (4 miles, 0 locks)

Tuesday 2 August Sharpness to Slimbridge (4 miles, 0 locks)

Wednesday 3 August Slimbridge to Saul Junction (4 miles, 0 locks)

Thursday 4 August Saul junction to Gloucester (8 miles, 0 locks)

Friday 5 August in Gloucester Docks

Saturday 6 July Gloucester to Haw Tree Inn mooring (8.5 miles, 1 lock)

Sunday 7 July Haw Tree Inn to Tewkesbury (5.5 miles, 2 locks)