Summer Cruise - Stourton to Stourport

Friday 1st August
Stourton to Stourport

Having decided to go on the Severn we took advice from members of the Canal World Forum via the Internet - rivers are quite a different beast to canals. The news items you occasionally see of boats being swept over weirs as their crews are winched off by helicopter are always on rivers - canals don't flow, they don't flood - Chalice is not used to rivers. The CWF experts said - an anchor on a long chain, lifejackets, man overboard ladder. Others said - it's summer, it isn't raining - what are you worried about? Anyway we were heading to Stourport Basin (which incidentally Alan and Cath had visited in June to meet some CWF members) to go and visit the chandlery.

The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal is beautiful - quite charming, with overhanging sandstone cliffs in many places.

We had a warm, sunny day - so whoever wasn't steering sat on the roof of Chalice and watched the scenery go past.

There is a very short tunnel under some houses.

As well as the 25 metre Dunsley Tunnel - less than twice the length of the boat.

Falling Sands lock, near to Kidderminster. Near here we suddenly had a youth swing across the bows on a rope from the side of the canal - then again as he passed behind the boat on the next swing - quite disturbing, but no 'bandits' - the canal term for stone throwing youths.

At Falling Sands Viaduct we passed under the Severn Valley Railway, but despite hearing the steam whistles we didn't see any trains.

Kidderminster itself was attractive - although the locks needed anti-vandal keys

We eventually moored up in Stourport, and had the chance to meet up with one of the Canal World Forum members for a pint and a chat at the pub, as well as some useful advice for boating on the Severn.

Daily Total: 12.35 miles, 14 locks, 2 minor tunnels

Running Total: 137 miles, 155 locks, 9 tunnels.