The calm after the storm.

Today was a much nicer day and we had a leisurely morning moored at Oddingley before returning to the marina. 

We are very pleased with our decision not to cruise the River Severn as it was closed today. 

Just three locks today so relatively easy. Lots of hire boats out, rushing to do a cruising ring during the Easter holiday. Surely the journey is more important than the destination. With the Severn being closed they'll be stuck at Worcester anyway. 

Gracie got appointed a trainee lock keeper today and was delighted. 

Opening a lock can now be considered child's play. 

The locks at Hanbury have side ponds which saves half the water each use. Very clever. 

Alison and the CRT volunteer open the side ponds. 

And here it is filling wIth water to be used for the next boat.  

The Hanbury locks are quite deep at 11'. 

It feels a long way down. 

And the gates hold back a lot of water. Good job they're strong. 

Last lock. 

Next week we had planned to go up the Severn to Stourport but are reconsidering.  What if the river is in flood again and we can't navigate? What happens if they close it whilst we are on the Staffs and Worcester canal?

There are always more questions than answers!