The CRT Volunteers

lock landing on the Severn

wide relaxing waters

Another sunny morning - is this really England?

I  struggled to open the heavy lock gates glad they were the last two then we were down on the straight River Severn.

 How wide it seemed after the narrow twisting canals. It also felt featureless as it had no bridges or obstacles. 

wide water for a large swan

perfect reflections

I saw a kingfisher flying along the side of the river staying close to the left bank below the overhanging trees.

It was a pleasant cruise down to Stourport. We intended to moor on the river for lunch before tacking the two staircase locks through the basins but the pontoons were full.

waterside dwellings

debris caught on the weir 

It was lunch time and the Captain felt hungry, yet at least 4 locks stood between him and his food. A CRT Volunteer looked over the fence and signalled to the Captain. He nodded wearily.

proper boats

nowhere to moor

However the two CRT Volunteers worked both staircase locks for us. The Captain winced as he drew level with the funfair that roared next to the basin, but cheered up when the CRT Volunteers told him that he could moor at the Wharf for a couple of hours. Fortunately it was on the far side away from the blaring music and screaming.

staircase lock and funfair

CRT volunteer at top of first staircase

Tummy filled and rested we set off again. The two CRT Volunteers strode across the basin as we turned the boat to leave and worked the lock out of the basin for us. Now that’s service, and with big smiles too .

moored at The Wharf

the lower basin

We cruised slowly to our mooring outside Stourport. At first the silence was broken by gunshots but the evening was quiet. Perfect for both Lottie and the Captain. Only one speeding boat rocked our haven then peace descended again.

flower decked pub patio

into the countryside

Reed beds and wide locks

heading out of the marina

reed beds on both sides

We got up late but Lottie wanted a long walk around Vines Park. After revisiting the supermarket for forgotten items and an extra cup of tea for the Captain we set off at 11.00. 

Rustling reeds

wild flowers on the river bank

We cruised through tranquil reed lined avenues enjoying the views as they opened up.




The canal was deserted, nothing was moving apart from a bright flash from a low flying kingfisher. The sun was hot with no cooling breeze today.

retaining wall

The reflections on the still canal were wonderful. We approached the first wide lock as two boats emerged so the flight was set for us. The newly restored locks did not leak at all only two dropped by half an inch by the time we reached them.

time to reflect

The retaining walls on the approach to the locks were not as well maintained as the locks as powerful weeds had rooted into the brick work weakening the structure.


I was pleased when we stopped after just 6 wide barge locks, as the gates were hard to open. 

The last gate was too heavy for me to open so the Captain had to tie up to the locking pontoon and come back to help me.

mirrored water

barge lock ahead

We moored above the two locks down onto the Severn for the night. It was quite peaceful even though the motorway ran close by. We spent the rest of the sultry afternoon in the shade resting. 

Lottie working at the barge lock

down I go

The Trouble with Locking

me taking the boat down

leaving the lock

The Captain started the day with some maintenance in the engine pit. He mopped out the bilge and checked the engine mount bolts. Then he adjusted the stern gland and the alternator belt. When he was finally satisfied the engine deck was ship shape he prepared to cast off.

He stopped as a Viking Afloat boat appeared around the corner.

peaceful waters

“We’ll let them go,” he said. “The poor things were following us all day yesterday.”

He cast off and followed them under the bridge where they stopped to take on water. 

They caught us up as we left the first of 5 locks so ended up following us down a flight again.

Our mooring at Hanbury Wharf

restored bridge

We waited for a single handed boater to clear the third lock but when he closed the far paddle ready to open the gate the boat started sinking again.

As I reached the lock to help I tried the far paddles, one was stuck a couple of turns up.

“I didn’t do those,” the skipper said. The boaters going down closed them.” Once the paddle was freed the lock quickly equalised and the embarrassed man made his escape after warning us the next pound was very low.

Going to the lock landing to let the crew off

Having been warned the Captain went to set the next lock while I climbed up the ladder to open the gates and lower the paddles. By the time I eased the boat out of the lock the Captain was back to close up, but still moved swiftly enough to open the gates of the lock ahead. The boat felt as if it crossed a sand bar then it was fine but I stayed in the centre of the canal. 

looking down the Staircase lock

Although it was still hot, some cloud cover and a gentle breeze kept us from baking.

The only problem I had was the Captain left my long handled windlass behind at the next lock.

Lottie and I trekked back to retrieve it, leaving the Captain to work his way through the last lock alone. My walk was unnecessary, the Viking Afloat crew had picked it up for me.

prepare to duck...

...its a tight fit

After that we had an easy cruise down to  Hanbury wharf where we moored for lunch by the Droitwich Canal. The Viking Afloat turned through the bridge at the junction so from now on we will be following them.

After a long lunch we cast off and turned onto the Droitwich canal only to discover CRT Volunteers working the first flight of three deep locks. The locks were so deep they were filled first from the side ponds and afterwards topped up from the canal. It was lovely to have the work done for me, just a bottom gate to open.

church and houses in Droitwich

entering Droitwich

Before long we encountered the staircase lock so my lock-break was short lived. After another lock we entered the M 5 culvert. It was narrow as it was only designed to take the river not craft but the restorers of the canal used it to get under the motorway. It was low. I ducked down as the cabin roof only cleared the concrete roof by a couple of inches and tried to hold the tiller straight. the Captain squatted with Lottie but she didn’t seem to mind the tight squeeze.

and the lovely Vines Park

Life got tricky when we came to the barge lock in the middle of Droitwich. First the Captain overshot the landing stage and had to reverse. I opened the gates and swung the swing bridge which crossed the lock so our boat could get in. I closed the gates. They didn’t quite meet in the middle but I opened one paddle. The gates stayed open.

A hire boater coming up tried to help but it wouldn’t budge. the Captain told me to put the paddle down and tried to un-jam the underwater obstruction with his barge pole. It still wouldn’t close. The hire boat went aground while we tried to sort things out but the helmswoman managed to get clear by herself.

A cyclist wanted to know when the bridge would be back. On viewing our perplexed faces he rode off to find a different crossing.

The Captain went to the lower gate and leaned on it. It opened so the two pounds were the same level. We all felt daft but relieved at the same time.

our pontoon for the night

mural in the basin

I operated another swing bridge. I had trouble with the lock and when I finally pulled it free the bridge started to move just as someone stepped onto it. I held the bridge while they crossed then opened it for the boat.

This area in the middle of Droitwich has been turned into a beautiful park (Vines park) with the canal meandering through it, with three swing bridges joining the paths.

After passing the moored Viking Afloat boat, the Captain worked the last swing bridge and we entered the basin, our home for the night. After mooring on a pontoon we headed for the supermarket to replenish our dwindling supplies.  It was separated from Vines Park by a high fence but our trusty CRT key let us through the gate.

We had the first rain of the cruise at half eight just a few spots then it stopped. That is a first too!

Non stop Locking

hot weather before 9.30

beautiful reflections

We cast off at 8.55 after filling with water with no idea of the gruelling trek ahead. A Viking Afloat hire boat followed close behind but stopped for water before the first tunnel.  

The sun was blazing but clouds gave occasional relief from the sun. The barometer dipped to stormy then moved back to rain.

Lower Bittell moorings

 Because it takes at least 4 hours to descend the 29 Tardebigge locks we carried on when we reached the top of the flight at 11-00 as torrential rain and storms had been predicted for the afternoon. Although  there were some impressive clouds around we had no rain. Had we known that we would have taken a break at a lovely mooring below the first Tardebigge lock.

the lake at Lower Bittell

water lilies

Instead we locked down and down. The Viking hire boat with four lock hands soon caught us up on the flight. One of the crew came forward to prepare the lock for his boat while his friends worked it through the lock behind. He was a great help, opening one bottom gate and winding down the paddles for us. He did this for about five locks then they tied up for lunch.

nearing the locks

Lottie enjoyed the locks by the reservoir and found a place to bathe and cool off. Unfortunately she was almost run over by a cyclist which scared both of them. We kept her on a lead after that as the cyclists arrive without warning. 

Once we passed the reservoir she struggled to keep cool as most of the by washes were dry or slippery. She disobeyed me and jumped into one weir stream and slipped over. She tried to get out but her paws couldn’t grip on the slimy surface. I hauled on her collar and she plopped our no worse for her adventure. 

Tardebigge Tunnel

no time to stop

She later entered another weir stream which was not running as quickly. I wouldn’t let go of her lead preventing her going into deep water so she lay down in the shallows to cool off.

me preparing our third lock

 On the middle section of the flight a single hander coming up left 3 sets of top gates open for us, which sped us on our way. After that we had to fill the locks before we could enter them which slowed us right down. After a while a refreshing breeze built, it was most welcome.

The Viking Afloat caught us up again with the crew refreshed from their lunch and our old friend helped again with the bottom gates. We took it in turns to eat at the tiller while the lock emptied.

Near the bottom Lottie tried to drink from the canal and fell in. the Captain pulled her out but she seemed happy to be wet as she stopped panting.

Lottie waiting with the boat

Wales in the distance?

At last we passed through Tardebigge Bottom Lock where rest awaited. Perhaps the flight was named Tardebigge because the old working boats could be late or tardy in a BIG way because of that flight.

There was one space left... but the pub was heaving with people, the smell of food was strong and heavy machinery was roaring in the woods nearby. The Captain shook his head and kept the boat moving straight past another Viking Afloat boat whose crew were preparing to cast off. 

Lottie cooling off in a weir stream

We rounded a corner and Stoke Top Lock was ready with its gate open.

As we approached I guessed the lock slave was waiting for his boat. The Captain slowed down but the lock slave waved him in. As the gate closed behind us his Viking Afloat boat came round the corner.

more locks

“I feel like a pirate for stealing your lock,” I said but the lock slave laughed. He was surprised however that we hadn’t stopped at the pub. “The thought of a pint at the bottom kept us going,” he confessed. 

As we descended the rest of the six Stoke locks he came forward to close one gate for us like our other Viking helper. How long would it have taken us without those Vikings? As it was it took us just under five hours to descend 35 locks.

rest is near at last