14th-17th April 2016. In and out of Worcester.

After a very uninspiring meal at the Bridge Inn the evening before, on Thursday the 14th we headed into Worcester. As with most towns and cities the canal creeps in the back way through industrial estates and housing developments. Of course, as we neared civilisation there were more people on the towpath. Scooby often stands on the back with us, looking and sniffing at what's going past. He has never shown any interest in going in the water so we haven't worried while we are mid canal and moving. However, today he saw a golden retriever that he took a particular dislike to and launched himself towards the bank. As he can't fly, he landed several feet short and had to swim the rest! Fortunately the owner of the retriever was very calm and sensible and we managed to get the boat to the bank and recover our wet and hysterical hound before any damage was done. Now the canvas sides are permanently up which is a nuisance for us but should prevent any more cross-water escapes!

There were 14 locks altogether on this leg of our journey to Worcester and at this one we got our first tantalising glimpse of the cathedral.

The cathedral lurking through the trees

This bridge had holes in surprising places! (note the lovely daffs in our garden).

We started to get a sense of the place at this lock, which is right next to The Commandery, an old pre-Tudor house which was the headquarters of the Royalist troops during the civil war. Definitely worth a visit.

Bridge by the Commandery

We eventually arrived at Diglis basin and found a nice mooring where we could stay for a few days. It is the terminus of the Worcester and Birmingham canal. This photo is taken from the two locks which take you directly from the basin onto the river Severn.

Diglis basin

The river was quite high and fierce when we first arrived.

Looking up the Severn from Diglis lock towards the city and the Cathedral.

This hire boat had got into difficulties after going on the river against advice. They got stuck against  weir barriers and were lucky not to get turned over. It was tied up here for a few days until it was towed off.

Worcester has nice shops and we liked the cathedral. Jo liked the pottery museum and spent a happy couple of hours amongst the china. We enjoyed our stay and would happily return for a visit and to cruise the river; in the summer when it is more narrow-boat friendly!

On Sunday we set off back up the canal towards Birmingham to continue our oddessy to Wales. It was cold but sunny and the journey, including the 14 locks, passed without incident. We moored at Dunhamstead bridge, about two miles south of the Droitwich junction.

Looking back towards Worcester from the 13th lock.