11-13th April 2016. Quite enough of Droitwich Spa.

On Monday we explored Droitwich (it didn't take long). We visited the little museum with exhibitions on the brine springs and salt extraction which were a feature of the town and local area for centuries.

This is the end of someone's garden and the spring is pouring into the river salwarpe next to the canal
in the centre of Droitwich.

The museum also had a room with old equipment from the Droitwich BBC masts put up in the 30's and which broadcast throughout the war. Ironically, we could get no TV signal at all in the canal basin. It is very low lying and the railway is above it and we know from experience that railways causes interference. No TV didn't add to the joy of Droitwich really.
The town centre is very small and shopping opportunities were limited (especially as many of the little shops were closed on a Monday) although we saw at least seven charity shops. There is a large Waitrose by the canal but Robin braved a rather average Morrisons for the big stock-up. There were showers on and off during the day. Early on Tuesday morning we rang the Severn lock keepers for an update to be advised that the river level was falling but not safe to travel and to ring again tomorrow. The river Salwarpe was also high so we actually couldn't go back either; stranded in Droitwich! We diddled about for the day, taking a walk and doing odd jobs.  We went up to this church which stands up on a ledge above the town and has views across to the Malvern Hills.

St Augustine's Church. Between the hill and the houses is the railway line.



The view of Droitwich Spa from the church. The green in the front is Vines Park and the
canal (the basin is just off to the right) and the big white building is Waitrose! 

It tipped it down again during the night which didn't bode well. On Wednesday morning we rang the Severn again and sure enough it was still closed. We were getting a bit concerned about our loo situation having nowhere to empty it where we were. We checked the river Salwarpe level and this had fallen so we reckoned we could get back through to the Hanbury junction where there is a boatyard. As well as the current on the river, the lowness of the M5 bridge and being able to get through needed to be considered. The paddle board etc came off the roof again and we set off back through the swing bridges in Vines park with sunshine and gongoozlers. However, when we reached the lock to take us onto the river, we found the gate padlocked shut. We moored and rang the Canal and Rivers Trust. Two hours later we eventually managed to get thought to the right person and he turned up in minutes to unlock the gates and help us through. While we were waiting for people to ring back, Robin spoke nicely to the lady on the desk at Waitrose and he was allowed to empty our loo in their toilets. Such charm he has!
The rest of the journey went  a bit more smoothly and by early afternoon we were back on the Birmingham and Worcester canal. We decided to go south to Worcester itself to see the cathedral and take a look at the River Severn from there. If it ever stops raining in Wales we might still get up it to Stourport, but if not we'll just turn round and head back up the nice, safe but very locky canal to Birmingham.
We moored about 3 miles south of the junction by the Bridge pub with plans for a meal out. It's rural again; calves and lambs in the fields; primroses and bluebells on the banks. TV again, although he's had to put his big pole up to get the BBC!