A great day

Today Howie and daughters Martha and Annabel came to visit and what a great time we had.













A superb time and always nice to have friends on board.

Stratford

Finally off the rivers. They always make me nervous in case the engine goes wrong but we made it.

The river locks are big, heavy and hard work.



We managed a perfect mooring in front of thousands of gongoozlers.

Not sure we will get out as easily in the morning but hopefully there won't be many watchers.



And remembering Sunday is the Stratford Express day we even got in some spotting of our own.

Tewkesbury and beyond

Yesterday we cruised from Worcester down the River Severn until we got to Tewkesbury. There was very little to see on the River Severn apart from some very large boats but we did finally pass a bridge.



We finally moored up in the middle of nowhere at a place called Swans neck but found a superb meal for Alison's birthday.



And you really did cook it yourself at your table.



This morning we have made it to Wyre Piddle as we press on.

Underway

We finally set off today on our trip to our new marina.
We are now in Worcester following a relatively unadventurous journey.

Only one photo as it kept raining but that does show what happens when you get too near the foliage.

At last

We finally took to the water again yesterday as we cruised to our favourite mooring on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Oddingley.



It was as much a test run before going off with the children next week. Our new solar panels meant the batteries were at full charge early this morning.



We are quite disappointed that the old signal box has now gone.



And been replaced by a car parking space.



I'll get in trouble for saying the next picture is the old and the new together



But even on a Sunday morning it is not quiet for long.

The summer arrives

We can't wait for next week and setting of on Magpie II again. It's been forever since we last untied.

I did get to drive Blackpool 166 at the weekend.





Which is always fun. Several other trams in service too.

Sea Cadets

Today we took Gracie down to Birmingham Sea Cadets to see if she could attend there whilst visiting us as she misses the one in Blackburn when away.

Wow. Not only can she go there on an ad hoc basis but they made her superbly welcome. And then she was off sailing having never been on the water other than narrowboating.





And quite literally sailing off into the sunset.



However could it get any better than this?





But look who's steering.









They were amazing and Gracie cannot wait for next time.