Visitors …

Monday, we returned to the Boat in Penkridge, with Roger’s parents. It is always a relief to find all was good with the Boat. Whilst we still had the hire car we did some shopping, to save carrying it too far. Then Roger had to return the hire car to Birmingham Airport, which was a bit of a trial, with busy motorways, no easy petrol station, then Hertz charging the credit card for an additional day’s hire, despite returning it on time (got it sorted and refunded). After Roger got back to Penkridge on the train, we moved only a couple of miles to get out of Penkridge, and off the 5-day moorings (we had already been on there for 5 days), unfortunately we ended up a little close to the M6. As we came out of a lock, there was an awful noise from the boat, so we quickly moored up and started to investigate, Engine OK, Gearbox – looked OK but we are no engineers, propeller – not OK – it had a mangled rope fender wrapped around it! After one wet arm, and only a little bit of swearing Roger dislodged the fender and all was well.

On Tuesday, a really hot day, we (now four) cruised for 13 miles and did 8 locks, passing Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union canal) and the Aldersley Junction (Wolverhampton & Darlaston Canal) mooring just below Awbridge lock, a much quieter spot.

Wednesday was another cruising day, with Mum & Dad, covering 5 miles but 11 locks. Dad helping out with the locks. it was so hot in the Boat that Roger took out some of the windows to get more air flow.

Thursday, we got to Kinver in time for lunch at The Bay Tree, and being another really hot day, the restaurant air conditioning was a bonus. After lunch we cruised again for another few miles, to get closer to Kidderminster. Tonight’s mooring was in a lovely spot, but was slightly spoilt by the biting insects having a good feast on us. Nic as usual had the most impressive swollen reactions to the bites, (despite the anti-histamine tablets!).

Friday morning was a short cruise to Kidderminster, as Mum & Dad, left us by train, via Birmingham up to York. We walked through the town centre, then cruised out of town, towards Stourport.

On Saturday, motored to Stourport, down in to the basin, where the canal meets the River Severn, given that the boat is not equipped (no Anchor, Life jackets) for rivers, we had previously made the decision not to do rivers. On seeing the River Severn, even that far upstream, we are both glad we made that decision. So, after using the services in the basin, we turned the boat around and went back into the canal. Lunch at The Black Star pub, then cruised out of Stourport, back towards Kidderminster, to meet up with a friend from the Isle of Man.

Sunday, arrived back in Kidderminster, dinner and drinks at the Watermill pub.

Weird; 36 miles and 36 locks this week !