Kidderminster to Stourport (4 miles, 3 locks)

Kidderminster was nearly washed away whilst we stopped over outside Sainsbury's for a couple of nights, but we had the chance to have a good look around and apart from the distinct lack of dog poo bins, avoid treading in most of it!  The culture, along the towpath, seems to be one of apathy, a proper shame!

Early morning cold start to get through the 11'10" deep lock before Weaver's Wharf, where there is a variety of large shops including Debenhams and even a Premier Inn within easy reach of boaters.  The former being housed in the old Brintons carpet mill.

Severn Valley railway viaduct.

Richard seems to prefer fishing for metal objects these days as there is a greater success rate usually, unfortunately not on this occasion!  I made coffee whilst he played...

Above was an old branch canal leading down to the river below for boats to reach the Wilden ironworks, via a lock, long since gone.

Stourport York Street lock, the entrance to the basins below leading to the river Severn.  We had moored in a gap no bigger than our boats above the lock, (more luck than judgement!) and had a wander down to see the river.

The river was well into the amber when we arrived , although you can't really tell in this picture.

We made the decision to sail out on Monday if all was well and it was back in the green and in the meantime open the shop as it was the weekend. Check my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canal-Art-by-Ruth/356386741052119

The upper basin with the clocktower in the background which connects to the Severn by 2 widebeam locks.    As we had the butty, we would use these to get down to the river.  The alternative is to pass through the upper basin and into the Clock basin and into the first of 2 pairs of staircase locks, down to the river.

View from the bottom lock to the upper which we would use.

Across the upper lock to the fair!  A surprise to see seasidy things so far inland!

Housing development with private moorings in the Malt Lane area of Stourport basins.

We were pleasantly surprised with Stourport, especially the local Chinese restaurant, but then the heavens opened and then opened again and again.....