Not at all what we’d planned

Wednesday 12^th August; Evesham to Harvington dry dock

No, it wasn’t in the slightest.

We called RCR first thing (Dave had already found out Evesham marina would want to crane us out to look at the rudder - £750 before they even look at it) and they arranged an engineer to come out – but not till midday.  So we spent the morning doing various jobs inside and out.   Meg got a walk in the park opposite, in the shade of the trees, but it was still too hot for her.  Chuffed was tucked well in under the trees, but even with all the window hoppers out it was very hot.

Paul arrived at 12, and he could not manage to lift the rudder back into position either.  He also discovered that the swan’s neck weld was failing, and as he could borrow a narrowboat moored not too far away the decision was made to tow us to Harvington dry dock, 3 locks away.  He and Dave drove off in his car (social distancing - what’s that?) and returned three hours later.

Within minutes we were breasted up and powering up-river.  Evesham lock top gate paddles, which used to create huge fountains of water until you had wound the windlass 3 times, has had baffles fitted to divert the fierce water flow, but it still needs great care.  The turn above the lock and past the weir is tight and we would have had trouble doing it on our own.

Leaving Evesham lock 

Paul’s own boat Quo Vadis  is rather larger than ours, and the river at the moment is too shallow for him to cruise.

We were going upstream, but the flow was still gentle as the water from last night’s storm over Stratford had not reached us, and with two engines we made good progress.  We had to slow down though for these three wild swimmers.

 

Our original plan had been to stop at Offenham lock – as well as being a nice place to moor, we wanted to empty a cassette and take on water.  But it was not to be.

 

Above Offenham Lock

As we approached Harvington lock there was a huge and prolonged gust of wind, whipping dead leaves and bits of tree through the air.  Somewhere nearby must have been getting a downpour!  The rain mostly held off as we approached Harvington lock, though it was starting as we rose up.  I stayed ashore and walked round to the dry dock, which luckily had no-one using it for a few days!  Paul reversed the boats towards the dry dock .  I closed the bottom paddle of the dock (they keep it empty to stop kids using it as a swimming pool), Paul opened the top and Dave and I heaved open the gate which was very heavy.  It was getting on for 8 o’clock as Chuffed was roped back into the dock, tied up and the gate closed as the rain started in earnest.  Thank goodness it’s covered.

Paul and his lovely dog Alfie went off home, while we listened to the thunderstorm and the hammering rain with the doors and hatches wide open.  That felt very peculiar.  At least Meg could have her bed-time wee without one of us getting wet!

3 locks, 4 miles, a tow, dry in the thunderstorm