Last week myself and the regular crew took a trip along the reopened Droitwich Canal, leaving Worcester by the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, along the Droitwich and back down the River Severn to Worcester.
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| Geoff, Peter,Adrian, Ted and Kevin at Camp House Inn, R. Severn |
A few pictures follow but, sadly, events have cast a pall over the trip in that last Sunday, having had no contact with Geoff since the Friday evening Adrian and I went to his house. Eventually we asked for assistance from the police and Geoff was found dead in his bedroom.
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| Geoff Johnson 1945-2017 |
I had known him for over 60 years, growing up together in Stanmore and boating together over many years. The whole team are very shocked but take great comfort in the fact that we'd all had such a good time the week before Geoff died. Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.
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| My foot resting |
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| To travel along the Droitwich you must get under the M5!...and it's very tight |
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| Well done Ted |
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| Autumn on the Droitwich Barge Canal |
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| Did I mention Norman? |
The canal is, in fact two canals; the Droitwich Junction Canal which runs from Hanbury on the B'ham and Worcester to Droitwich and the Droitwich Barge Canal whic runs from the Severn at Hawford to Droitwich. The Junction canal has single locks but the Barge canal has eight doubles. (Sounds like a good night in the Lock Keepers Arms!) It is a canal of great beauty probably because it is little used, has few pubs and no widebeams. There is no sign of Dossertown anywhere.
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| Kevin and Ted wondering where the pubs are. |
Apart from Droitwich there aren't any pubs on this canal which meant for the first time I can recall in over 40 years of boating that we spent one night on board without entering licenced premises. It was more than compensated for by the finest Liver and Bacon prepared by Kevin accompanied by the best Waitrose of Droitwich wines and spirits could supply.
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| Known forever as the Dogs' Locks |
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| Norman warns "Lock ahead!" |
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| Geoff is ready |
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| Somehow Ted and Peter managed to miss this lock |
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| Peter, Ady and Geoff set the last lock before we enter the R Severn |
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| Onto the Severn |
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| Bevere Lock |
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| Pint! |
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| Diglis Basin entrance |
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| Looking back on the Severn |
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| Through Worcester |
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| Ady makes a new friend at the lock-such a smooth talker |
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| and Ted makes the final reverse into the boatyard. and Peter shows his approval |
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| Dinner in Yamass, a Greek in Worcester-the end of a grand week |
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1 comment:
So sorry to hear about the sad loss of your long time friend Mike. I'm sure that you and the rest of the crew will remember some great times over past years, we're sending you our condolences. xx
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