Droitwich Barge Canal

After deciding that an early start would be a good idea in case the moorings in Droitwich Netherwich Basin were in demand, we slept in a bit late as it was so quiet in Worcester.  We were last to leave the visitor moorings, and after taking a while to fill with water and wait for other boats at the locks, it was mid-morning before we were down on the Severn.  After one lock on the Severn, we got to the start of the newly reopened Barge Canal.

It is a very pretty and mostly rural trip, although the locks are quite heavy and slow to empty and fill.  There is still plenty of room on the moorings, and lots of boaters around discussing what clearance they had coming under the M5, or what damage they did to their boats.  One worrying tale was from someone who had cleared the gauge, yet still had damage and got temporarily stuck,  perhaps because of someone turning the lock above the bridge.  You can't see if there is anyone in the tunnel from the lock, so it seems quite possible.  The moorings in the basin seem very tranquil, apart from the odd train clanking past.