All quiet on the waterways

MANY contributors and ourselves have noticed the lack of boat movements on the waterways compared to recent years, except for the 'flurry' over the school holidays, with Martin Howes confirming:

During last week's cruising around Stourport, Droitwich and Worcester, I was amazed at how quiet everywhere was, particularly given the good weather.

Moor anywhere

We had a week where we could moor anywhere at a whim; never queued at locks and had immediate access to water taps and sanitary stations.

On Thursday morning, when descending the locks from Diglis Basin, at 10:45am, we were the first boat to pass through them. On Friday afternoon ascending the Bratch (pictured) at 4:00pm, we were only the 12th boat to pass through. It was sad to see that The Vine at Kinver is no longer open, yet another old canal pub gone, with reportedly the last three tenants bankrupt.

Lack of visitors

Not only were the waterways clear, but there was also a lack of gongoozlers at the usual places. In fact, returning through Stourport basins, the number of people we saw walking was doubled by the four 'chuggers' manning the CART gazebo! They watched from a distance at the lower staircase, making no attempt to engage in conversation. I wonder whether they had had their fill of criticism from boaters before us?

One never has the camera when it is required, but to anyone passing through Stewponey Lock, look out for the British Waterways van with the 'Think Bike' sticker in the windscreen, just below the corporate logo; very appropriate on the Staffs & Worcs Cycleway.