Adventures of Jeanie Deans

On Monday morning we left the mooring at Stourport and went through the lock into the basin. Filled up with water and had to empty both toilet cassettes. First time both had been full. Then took a slow trip round the basin to the two narrow staircase locks to descend onto the River Severn. Went through the first lock of the first staircase ok but then had to wait as there was a boat turning in the pound below. When they had finished we continued. However they were a bit unhappy to find a boat in the top lock behind us as they were going up having come out of the dry dock. Completed the next set of two with no problems and ready to whizz down the Severn to Worcester where we planned to moor overnight.

The clock tower Stourport Basin

Stourport Basin

The speed limit on the river is 8mph, wahoo speed demons, so we made good time arriving in Worcester in time for lunch. After a chat with the lock keeper at Diglis Lock about the best place to moor, he said it would be ok for us to moor at the lock landing as the visitor moorings were unsuitable as the dogs haven't learned to climb a ladder yet.

Had a walk round Worcester and a look around Diglis Basin, which has been developed since we were last here. A quiet evening was briefly interrupted by a guy who came along and fed the swans and then grabbed one out of the water with a hook. It put up a mighty struggle but he got a good grip on it and then ringed it. Bit of a relief as unsure what I would have done if he had stuck it in a bag and taken it off to cook for dinner (haha).

Bridges over the River Severn Worcester

Worcester

Worcester Cathedral

Back on the river and big locks!!

Plenty of space on the River Severn

Upton upon Severn

We set out early on Tuesday morning as it takes 5-6 hours to Gloucester from here, going down Diglis Lock soon after the lock keeper arrived at 8:00. A good trip to Gloucester although being on the river can be a bit boring at times as there is not a lot to see. We arrived at Gloucester Lock and had to wait for a boat to come out before we could go up with two other narrow boats. There is loads of room in these locks and you could probably get at least nine of us in them. Moored up in Gloucester Docks at about 2:00pm and had lunch then time to take the dogs for a short walk before sitting out in the sun on the front deck. We will moor here until Thursday morning when we will carry on to Sharpness via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.