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Tom Jones reads our Blog (and so does Jan)
Yesterday, a Black Prince hire boat passed us part way down Tardebigge Locks as we were making our way up. I took the opportunity to film their boat for a little variety and, looking straight into the camera, the steerer shouted "We read your Blog". We don’t usually have speaking parts but that seems a good way to make sure you’re included in the next DVD. The lady asked if I could do something else with the filming, but I won’t reveal what, before introducing themselves as Tom & Jan Jones. 
They are regular blog readers from New Zealand but living in Australia (I do hope I remembered that the right way round) but we didn’t have time to chat as we both had lots of locks to work. It’s nice when blog readers say hello as we pass, so please do so – unfortunately we can’t recognise you if you don’t. Today we’ve progressed onto the Stratford upon Avon Canal, heading towards Lapworth Junctions and the Grand Union Canal for more filming. We’re moored at Hockley Heath, hoping to reach Catherine de Barnes tomorrow. Posted on Friday, 17 July 2009 at 20:54 Comments (2)
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We’ve had a few busy days since leaving Stratford upon Avon, trying to move when the sun shines to make the most of the filming opportunities.
We’ve travelled downstream on the River Avon, watching all the lovely wildlife, including this Kingfisher which calmly watched us drift past.
It’s much wider than a canal, with very few bridges over the wide river, and the few that are there having small arches to aim for.
We passed through towns like Evesham and Pershore, and many small villages, mostly glimpsed in the distance over the high flood banks of the river.
We spent some time at Tewkesbury, including cruising right to the end of the mill stream, not often reached by visiting narrow boats where Andrew took this great picture, which just might make the front cover of our planned Avon Ring DVD.
Today we ventured onto the River Severn, even larger and wider than the River Avon. The river is mostly between high flood banks with only the tops of buildings and features visible over them.
We were looking out for Snipe and Taurus, the Hotel Boat pair from Canal Voyagers (which we knew were heading south) so we could film them for their 10 seconds of fame.
We’re moored in Worcester, hoping to be closer to Tardebigge tomorrow if the weather improves.
After our busy day yesterday, covering 30 locks including the Hatton flight we headed south through the narrow locks of the Stratford upon Avon Canal.
We took it in turns to walk the longer lengths between some of the well spaced locks to share the work. Susan’s favourite spot became the lock beam where she could snatch a little rest. When the world started drifting past it meant the lock was ready and the gate starting to move.
We made exceptionally good progress and we’ve reached Bancroft Basin in Stratford upon Avon.
Andrew joins us by train tomorrow, then we’re off down the River Avon – at least until the rain arrives and that’s forecast for early afternoon.
Before that we’ll need to visit the Tourist Information Centre just behind us to purchase our licence for the River Avon. It’s operated by separate trusts and not covered by the BW or EA licences.
We came back up Hatton locks today, filming in the improved weather for one of our forthcoming DVDs. That’s 21 broad locks in just over 3 hours on our own. Then through Shrewley Tunnel to reach Kingswood Junction and the Lapworth Link.
The narrow locks of the Stratford upon Avon Canal made a welcome change. A little less work on the lighter gates, but the paddle gear was just as stiff, if not stiffer, and the locks were so slow to fill and empty they were probably slower than Hatton.
We made it to Lowsonford and stopped on the visitor moorings. Walking ahead to the next lock there was one of thee best barrel roofed cottages, without the extensions and alterations that have been made to some others.
A short walk to film the village and we discovered the Old Post Office.
We’re moored at Lowsonford, hoping to reach Stratford upon Avon tomorrow. The mobile signal is poor so this may be late being published.
When we met Brian and Diana on Harnser very briefly last night we established we were both planning to descend Hatton Locks today and, being broad locks, we could share the work.
First I delivered another batch of our DVDs to the Canal Shop with time for a quick chat with Neil, then we were off. I walked through the separate footpath tunnel at Shrewley, to check it out for filming tomorrow and soon we were at the top of Hatton Locks.
Chatting happily together we were down the flight in 2 hours 25 minutes, and we would have been a little quicker if we hadn’t caught up slow moving boats near the bottom. Having a 5th crew member makes a lot of difference with one able to go ahead and set the next lock each time.
At the bottom we went into the Saltisford Arm for a pump out and found this moorhen sitting on 5 eggs and happily watching us right alongside. It even stood up so I could see the eggs.
We’re moored just outside the Saltisford Arm, which was already full with breasted up boats when we got there. Tomorrow we will be heading back up Hatton the Hatton flight as we film for one of our DVDs.
We’re out filming again, trying to dodge the rain and find the sun on the filming days, and move the boat between locations on rainy days.
We’ve met several other bloggers on our travels, starting with Jannock at Tixall Lock.
I didn’t have time to grab a camera as they passed, but just time to ask if they were the Blogging Jannocks, which brought a smile to their face and a yes in reply.
The following day a lady mooring a boat looked up as we cruised past and said "It’s Paul, isn’t it" and I replied "Yes" while looking completely blank. "Caxton" she said as I vaguely recognised that as a boat with bloggers.
Just time to grab the camera and catch Lesley & Joe on the towpath. I do hope we see them again soon to say hello properly – and I’ll make sure I have my brain in gear then. Bonus marks to Lesley, who not only recognised our boat but remembered my name too.
While just sitting down to dinner tonight I spotted Resnrah going past the window. More bloggers I cried as I spotted it was Harnser going backwards to take up the space behind us.
A brief chat with Brian and Diana this evening and a plan to share Hatton Locks tomorrow. Hopefully I can grab a picture with them and the boat during the day.
We’re moored at Kingswood Junction, hoping to reach the Saltisford Arm tomorrow.
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