Bartimaeus

On Sunday morning I stepped out of the boat, ready to cast off. I could hear church bells, the cathedral wasn't very far away. We had talked to Heather about possible routes and as we have been here before, she could choose what direction she wanted and we would have the time afterwards to get to our destination from wherever we got to. She fancied starting with a very short burst up the River Severn then come back to the locks we were already poised to go through, and what's more, she opted to drive.

It wasn't actually raining, but still the air was moist and the sky grey. Heather was perfectly happy anyway. While she wasn't going to see the Inside of the Commandery she did get to see the dragon boat, where the rowers were being put through their paces by an instructor in strict rigid motions, like  military drill, plunging the oars into the water then holding still, until the next command was issued. Their instructor was standing and using a gondola style means of control, that both propelled and steered the boat.

She asked which arch to go through, as none were marked, the middle was the best choice - it was larger and the only one with a crest above so that would do in stead of an arrow. 

Beyond was the rail bridge. We went as far as there and then turned and went back. It was still a bit misty and the cathedral looked grey and the bells had stopped. The many swans of Worcester were spread across the river, and they had the dragon boat surrounded.

Shane took over driving as we got back to the jetty and Heather and I got out to do the Diglis bottom and top locks which are large with heavy gates. On the first one I was at the far side that has a fence and no path, while Heather was on the side where there are pedestrians. Plenty of tourists come along the river path and round the basin. Some Australians gave her a hand pushing the heavy gates, while I did mine alone. On the Upper lock, we had swapped sides and a Norwegian couple helped me, while Heather had to go it alone. Looking across the basin I saw a heron standing tall on the prow, like a figurehead, but it took flight when I walked along the jetty with camera poised.

Heather and I have to go a long way round to get to the next lock, which is a stark contrast being very narrow compared to the large river locks we have been using for the last month, since Stratford. I was rather enjoying the easier gates and quick crossings, as well as additional help.

Later in the day Heather had walked ahead to a lock and Shane spotted a familiar boat shape and paintwork. It was Professor Pat Pending, an Ortomarine boat. As we passed I waved in the window.

Helen and Russel came out and caught up with us at the lock where we were able to have a quick exchange. Helen was about to start painting, as she had recently learned how to do traditional canal boat patterns. She showed us some roses and said she was going to try castles too. Russel mentioned having work done and some tech innovation and I expect Shane would like to hear more about that. They were going in the same direction and Helen remarked what a change it was trying to squeeze into the narrow locks and manage not to bump your way in - she might be particularly concerned about the pristine paintwork! On the other hand I was enjoying the easy locking, as I hadn't driven much in the river.

No sooner had  I said that, than Shane decided to jump off to work the next lock and handed over the helm on very close approach asking to be set down off the front, on to a narrow set of steps just beside the entrance. It looked hard to achieve but I slowed as we pulled level and he jumped off and I sped up again to steer into the lock. I wondered if Helen and Russel had seen the unorthodox manoeuvre. I doubt it as they'll have been heading away back I expect. Heather and Shane continued as locking crew for the rest of the afternoon. 

On approach to one I noticed a sizable chunk of wall from the bridge I was driving under, was on the towpath. I mentioned it to Shane and Heather and then noticed at the other side that the top of the wall was missing. Some vehicle must have found it harder to steer across the bridge than we were, driving into the narrow locks.

We have asked Heather to make lots of choices, what route, driving, resting or locking, what to eat or drink and when, when to go to bed (we don't have the same body clock as she does) and what configuration of bed she would like. On the first evening there was a bit of deliberation about this.  She decided and Shane and I both helped her put it together. When we make it for ourselves, the table legs  are removed and put under the table, while the tops are lowered to bed level, but in this mode the seats push together and another space needs to be found. They were just leant against a wall.

On the next night Shane had gone to bed, and there is only so much room for helpers. I brushed my teeth then returned to help. I went to get the spare cushions, stored above the tandem cupboard. I saw the table legs, metal tubes there - Heather had thought that was a good spot to store them. I pulled out the cushions and there was an almighty clanging, and then some more and then more. "Oh the top isn't solid!" The metal tubes had rolled and fallen through then each had bounced down striking the tandem frame, an assortment of tubes, all the way down.... Not very tuneful tubular bells!  Shane retrieved them from the tandem cupboard in the morning.

The next day we headed towards Droitwich. This section has information posts, with a question on one side and the answer at the back which could be identified by a wiggly metal topper like a squirt from a tube of paint or toothpaste. It would surely be a representation of the canal, but apparently it is not that shape, so not a map, just a symbolic flow, or artistic impression. 

We arrived at the set of locks with side ponds and extra paddles to control the water. I remembered using these before on a very cold day and finding them awkward. We had to half fill from side ponds first and gates had to be propped open with sticks. At least I would have Heather's help. I was relieved to see a boat coming the other way, and some volunteers, who would keep us right. 

There was too much water in the ponds further down so they were not emptying into the side ponds after all, so it was as well they were there to help. At the bottom one I thought we could use the side steps to get back on, as Shane had been going up the previous day, but this was us coming back down. The volunteer wasn't sure we should do this warning we might not be seen and it might not work, and recommended the lock bollards - but it is surely what they were made for and I couldn't resist the cute curved steps - it even had a handle to hold onto to keep you stable. I said it should work as long as he drove slow enough. As the volunteer was concerned he wouldn't see us so I made sure to wave and reassured him we had been seen. It was a further challenge to get two of us at the same spot, a bit of a squash and a squeeze, and the gap was a little wider than I  had anticipated as the wall curved away from the lock, but we did it and the volunteer seemed happy enough to see it! They were both chirpy chaps there.

Soon we passed Droitwich marina where we will drop off Bartimaeus next week to be craned out. I craned my neck but couldn't see any Ortomarine boats. Heather remarked on the unusual bridge construction with the turf visible. This was the road into the marina carpark and rather than an arch over there was a huge tube, like a drain pipe to drive through.

There then follows the series of staircase lock which I drove through, rather than try to work it out and Shane likes them anyway. Heather shrieked through the M5 tunnel, most entertaining for us and I hope she wasn't too traumatised - Shane said "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" during it. Well done to Heather for making herself even stronger.

Heather and I worked the series of swing bridges and lock in Droitwich. It was a lot easier with two, We both got a fright when a small boy on a bike coming down a path towards it when the bridge was open. He stopped just in time.

We reached the basin and went for water, mooring in the nearest jetty. They are only half length so getting water meant joining two hoses together and then Heather held one end and I brought it over the roof, walking along the gunwale. Heather asked if we often did this, Shane found the last time we had done it was a time she and Benny had joined us, so it seemed a more regular occurrence to her.

That evening, I was helping Heather with the bed and we considered the poles again. They could possibly be stored across the way as there are slats, but then you would have to wait till the cushions came down, and even then they might roll off and fall from a height. We made sure they were somewhere safe where they couldn't clang.