Holiday 1982 page 2

2. - Grand Union Canal to Lapworth, Southern Stratford Canal to Stratford upon Avon, Upper and Lower Avon Navigations to Tewkesbury, River Severn to Worcester.

Tuesday 21st September - We started down the Southern Stratford at 9.00, as soon as the National Trust Office opened to get the licence. Lots of rain in morning, then sunny in afternoon. Fairly heavy journey down, no traffic. The canal towpath and lock sides in places were in danger of being completely taken over by vegetation. There is one mention in Linda's dairy of the boat getting caught going out of a lock. We can not remember this and do not know if it was a depth or width problem. Wilmcote Flight was in disarray and no NT people were about. We had a jolly time going down it on one pound full of water, which we let down with us! Although there was plenty of mooring in Bancroft Basin, we moored on the river as is now normal. That night we went out for a nice Greek meal at Christoph's Greek restaurant, for Jackie's birthday.

Wednesday 22nd September - We went shopping in the morning and left at 10.30. We did not realise at the time, but the Avon was quite in spate. we had a quick journey down. At lunch time came the inevitable rain, which lasted for the rest of the day. Evesham Lock was as usual, manned. We paid the Upper Avon toll here. We moored up in the dark at around 20.00, on the main Pershore town river moorings. At this time they were just a grotty bank, not the piled luxury ones of today! Dinner was ready as soon as we stopped again. One point of note, we used the old Robert Aickman Lock. The new one was complete and was just waiting to be connected to the lock cuts.

Thursday 23rd September - We left Pershore at 7.00 and passed through Avon Lock and off the Avon, at 11.00. Here we got caught for the Lower Avon toll. The River Severn was very heavy going, due to all the rain. At Diglis Locks confusion abounded. The traffic lights were not working and we had a big argument with the lock keeper as we had no idea what lock he was using. He was abusive and at one point nearly shut the gates on us. Julian reported him to BWB! Above the lock we recovered by getting water on the Diglis floating sanitary station. The water was low pressure and throughout this there was a terrible stink from the dunny dumping hut. Julian and Neil went to investigate this. On opening the door the stink was even worse. Someone had smashed the dunny bowl and we were getting the full force of a barge full of dumpings! Julian threatened to throw a match down the hole, but we advised him this would NOT be a good idea! Eventually, we moored up in Worcester, below the cathedral at 16.00. We then did some shopping and went out to the Berni Inn for a steak in the evening.

Knowle Flight. Grand Union Canal.	Knowle Flight. Julian goes sailing in the wind. Grand Union Canal.

Kingswood Junction, just starting down Southern Stratford. Lock No 22. Southern Stratford Canal.	Lock 31 cottage at Lowsonford. This is still much the same, but in better order. Southern Stratford Canal.

Bucket Lock No 43 and Aqueduct. Southern Stratford Canal.	Lock No 37 Preston Bagot. If you think that the barrel roof lock cottage was buggered up then, you should see it now! Southern Stratford Canal.

Anglo Welsh base and Aqueduct at Wooton Wawen. Southern Stratford Canal.	* Edstone Aqueduct. Southern Stratford Canal.

* Wilmcote Flight, looking back. Somewhat overgrown! Southern Stratford Canal.	Looking down Wilmcote Flight. The bank and new trees to the left were to disguise a landfill site. Paper and plastic were blowing all over the canal. This is only just now landscaped and tidied up. Southern Stratford Canal.

Southern Stratford Canal.	Descending the wide lock No 56, out of Bancroft Basin, onto the River Avon. Stratford upon Avon. Southern Stratford Canal.

Descending the wide lock No 56, onto the River Avon. Despite the weather being bad, we still amass some gongoozlers. Stratford upon Avon. Southern Stratford Canal.	* Our moorings on the Upper Avon opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Stratford upon Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

* Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Stratford upon Avon. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	* Weir Brake Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Weir Brake Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Leaving Luddington Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Binton Bridges. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	The new Robert Aickman Lock. Not quite connected up. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

* The new Robert Aickman Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	The new Robert Aickman Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

The old Robert Aickman lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Leaving the old Robert Aickman lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

* The weir above Evesham Lock, before the long waiting staging was put in. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Entering Evesham Lock. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Evesham Lock "A" frame lock cottage. Upper Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	* Leaving Evesham Lock. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Leaving Chadbury Lock. A fair amount of water coming over weir, Julian has to throw the tiller about a bit. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Leaving Fladbury Lock in the pissing rain! Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Arriving at Pershore, rather late! Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Leaving Nafford Lock. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

* Eckington Bridge. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Leaving Strensham Lock. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

Leaving Avon Lock at Tewkesbury. We were soon to slow down as we go up the Severn in spate. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.	Healings Mills at Tewkesbury. Lower Avon. Warwickshire River Avon.

* Denotes a scanned Edgington print. Other's are scanned from Neil's faded Agfa slides. (probably a more accurate representation of grot weather on this Holiday!)