I’ve managed to escape most of the World Cup, but with the England match looming on Sunday, I had to agree to plans, so we would be moored up for tomorrow’s 1pm match.  That meant a longer day today, and an early start – well 7.30 cast off, that’s early for Toby!

We turned on to the recently restored Droitwich Barge Canal, no lock keeper here, it was back to DIY.  A bird was sat on the first lock gate and wouldn’t move, I didn’t like it and sent Toby to open the gates. Picture below of the defendant – any ideas what it is? (he was a LOT bigger in real life!)

We slowly worked our way through the various twists and turns, this canal felt quite different with the very high reed beds between the canal and the towpath.  Toby did a great job steering with oncoming boats, although had a near miss with a bend and bridge.

Not that I knew it at the time, as it felt like the same canal, but we soon entered the Junction Canal

I’d been having sleepless nights about the next tunnel which runs under the M5 and is low. We were advised to fill up with water so our bow sat low (water tank filled to the brim), and Toby removed the chimney. Luckily for us and all this dry weather, the water levels were low, and we passed through with inches to spare.

A staircase lock, and then three final locks which were manned by volunteer lock-keepers…yey!  The lock paddles are different here, with side channels in the lock connected to side pounds.

After 16 locks, we turned on to the Worcester and Birmingham canal. We soon moored up and celebrated making such good progress with an ice pole.

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