Rainboat

Our first proper cruise on the river saw us travelling from Stourport to Worcester. We made an early pitstop at Sirius Marine to get the hinges of our stern gate welded back on after they broke a few weeks back.

We were both wearing our life jackets and Tiger was wearing hers. As it was hot we popped her on the roof to catch the breeze. She seemed to like it as long as Vicky stood next to her. Leo wouldn't wear his life jacket but was happy enough to go in his bag and be carried by Vicky.

We were on a bit of a high as it all seemed excitingly new. Rivers don't have the 4mph speed limit canals do and we were travelling downstream so we made fast progress.

There were 3 locks to get through but but instead of one of us getting out and working them, we called ahead to the lock keeper using the VHF radio. When we entered, the first keeper directed us to a vertical steel rope inset into the side of the concrete lock wall. We ran our centre line behind this and pulled Rainboat into the side as the lockie operated the electronic controls and the water drained.

A major disadvantage of the river is that you can't just moor. The sloping banks, varying water levels and current make this very difficult so the only safe thing is to stick to constructed moorings. Worcester had a concrete bank with posts and rings, although it was a little difficult getting to it because of bridge stantions, a flotilla school kids on of canoe rafts, some inexperienced hire canoers and the many rowers zipping up and down. We certainly let out a big sigh of relief when we were tied up, having negotiated this slalom course!

Most of the bank was chargeable at £4pn (we assume this belonged to the city), but we managed to find the CRT owned stretch beyond the railway bridge.

Having been used to just letting the dogs straight outside it was stressful needing to put Tiger in her harness and Leo in his bag every time they needed a wee but we all got used to it quite quickly. Steps led up to the city from either end of the mooring area and a strip of grass provided relief for the dogs. For proper walks we took them to Worcester Racecourse which was open to the public when events weren't on. There was also a riverside walk on the opposite bank which was divided from the road by tall grass and towards the end of our stay we found Cripplegate Park where they could both run off lead.

We were definitely at the sporty end of the city, being close to the Rowing Club, Canoe Club, Racecourse and Worcester Cricket Ground. On the Friday night, sounds of the T20 match against Nottingham could ve heard wafting over the water.

Exploring further afield we found over 100 mute swans gathered together near the old ferry steps. Back in the 1980s the City Council and the Cathedral created a swan sanctuary in response to a national decline in numbers. They banned fishing between the railway bridge and this point due to the lead in the weights poisoning the birds. The Swan Food Project feeds the birds and small bags of floating swan food are available to purchase throught the city, with advice on how to feed so that the birds don't start hassling passers-by.

The swans in central Worcester are all juveniles in their first 3-4 years of life. When they reach maturity they will take a mate and find their own territory to raise a family. When old enough, these adults will often bring their signets to the sanctuary and leave them.

Wildlife friendly Worcester is also home to Horseshoe Bats, who normally avoid the lights of civilisation, but here use the dark tunnels around the Cathedral to travel at night. We didn't see any bats but we did spy one of four Peregrine Falcon fledglings perching on the cathedral tower! Peregrines have been nesting on the cathedral tower on and off for years. Recently a special nest has been built and web cam installed so their progress can be monitored up close without disturbing them.

The city itself felt accessible and friendly with lots of benches and even the odd public toilet. The tallest buildings in the centre were the cathedral and churches so you never felt closed in like in some urban areas. By chance we came discovered our first ever Scrap Shop in the Crown Shopping Centre. It takes fabrics, tools and accessories that would otherwise have gone to landfill and sells them very cheaply. We picked up 4m of chenille and a scrap of leather for just £8! There were a number of vegan eateries, a refill shop and a Rymans for Vicky to treat herself to more art supplies.

Worcester gets a definite thumbs up from us!Lue lisää