SLOW GOING.

Week 5 Pershore to Stratford upon Avon 29 miles 14 locks

Wednesday, and the weather was much nicer after all the rain the previous afternoon. The only problem with having had so much rain is it meant the river went into flood, and the weirs before the locks became more powerful, and the flow of the river, which we were going against, became much stronger slowing us down, at times to a near standstill.

This became apparent when we left Pershore heading for Evesham, at the first lock, which is an unusual diamond shape, the force of the weir pushed the boat straight into the lock landing and there was nothing the Captain could do about it. I jumped off to find NB Monkey’n’Round already in the lock and going our way. Me and the crew discussed the state of the river, and they said they might wait for us at the next lock, its a lot easier doing the large locks when there are 2 boats.

But it was not to be, the flow of the river being against us slowed us right down, and by the time we got to the lock they were long gone, but they had very kindly told the crews of 3 boats moored above the lock we were on our way, and they were there waiting with windlasses in hand to lock us up. I was so pleased, as the lock landing was underwater, and I really didn’t know how I was going to get off to work the lock.

After a chat with our helpers, it turned out they had decided to stay above the lock to wait for the river to fall and make their onward journey safer. There was a hire boat with an American couple and 2 liveaboards, one being a single hander. The Captain made the decision it would be better for us to stay the night too and we moored up.

There were a few fun and games at the lock mid afternoon when a load of teenagers turned up in canoes, there was a lot of shouting and paddling, but they seemed to be having a great time, even when the heavens opened. They went into the lock, much to my surprise, closed the gates and let the water out, and then reversed the procedure. Canoes don’t usually use locks, but on this occasion it was just to give the kids the experience of being in a lock.

We had a quiet night after this and heard the hire boat leave quite early next day. We helped the 2 liveaboards through the lock just before setting off ourselves. I was gifted some mint by one of the boats, very kind I must say. The state of the river had improved slightly, but it was still very slow going for us.

The trip to Evesham was uneventful with only one lock to do, but we did see a few more boats on the move than in the previous day. I did see my first kingfisher though, it darted past the boat in its bright blue plumage with its dinner in its beak and then sat on a low branch to enjoy it. The captain had beaten me to the first Kingfisher spot of our travels the day before.

We found good moorings at Evesham but the river was still very high and was almost over topping the moorings, but the Captain was confident that it would rise no further as we had had no more rain, so we were happy to stay put.

Evesham has a couple of decent real ale pubs, the BCM (a micropub) and the Red Lion, the oldest pub in the town.

https://redlionevesham.co.uk/

We made for the Red Lion first, and the Captain was very happy with the dark ale in there, the lager was not so much to my taste, but we had a couple before heading to the local Wetherspoons, The Old Swanne Inn.

I had convinced myself that being Thursday it was steak night, but no that’s Tuesday. Its curry night on a Thursday, unfortunately we had had curry for tea the night before and we really didn’t fancy it 2 nights on the trot. We both decided on the Steak and Kidney pudding, and very nice it was too.

On the way back to the boat we called in at the BCM, or Bromsgrove Craft Monkey to give it its full title, and again the Captain was very happy with the stout they had on, and a decent lager for me.

https://www.facebook.com/BCMEvesham/

The river had dropped slightly by the time we returned so we settled down for the night.

The Captain had decided to take 2 days to get to Stratford, and after 4 locks and slow going again we stopped at Bidford upon Avon for the night. There was no room on the visitors moorings so we had to make do with being outside the pub, The Frog, and of course we had to go and pay our dues and demands. There was nothing dark on apart from Guinness for the Captain, but he said it was a good pint and we enjoyed a couple whilst people watching.

4 locks and 4 miles next day took us to some beautiful moorings for a peaceful night.

I had 3 locks to do next day, and we were joined in the first by a green (no name) narrowboat that a young couple had just bought, we chatted and the Captain and I were told different stories about the plans for the boat, hope they get things sorted out.

At the next lock the gongoozlers began to gather and ask questions, which we never mind answering.

At the lock into the basin at Stratford we had help, a young man who helped with the trip boat was there locking boats up and down to make sure the trip boat was never held up. He soon had us up and the Captain expertly manoeuvred us on to a pontoon. It was extremely busy round the basin, with a food and craft market in full swing, and lots of people just enjoying the beautiful weather.

After a short rest we took a walk round the market, and then on to the Stratford Ale house, unfortunately on this occasion (we have been before) it was not an enjoyable visit, the beer was good but the guy in charge of the record player (yes vinyl) had a strange taste in music, and it was just too loud for the size of room and us, so only the one in there.

https://www.thestratfordalehouse.com/

We then tried the Queens Head where the Captain made do with Doombar, and we sat outside and soaked up the sun.

https://queensheadstratford.com/

We decided next day to have a rest and a lie in and stayed put on the pontoons.

We took a walk out in the afternoon and tried the Dirty Duck, which is situated near the RSC, and had lots of pictures up of famous and not so famous actors. The Captain found a palatable bitter in there called Dirty Mallard, but we only had the one before walking back to the boat and trying the Red Lion, no darks ales but the garden menu (served until 5pm) looked good and reasonably priced. Then back to the boat for tea.

https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/warwickshire/dirty-duck/

https://www.tabletable.co.uk/en-gb/locations/warwickshire/the-red-lion

Leaving Stratford the next day we rejoined the canal and narrow locks once again.