Sunday 29th September
No disasters have befallen us today, makes a change! We have travelled 6.5 miles and 8 locks from Swindon to Kinver in glorious sunny weather. This late Summer weather has been lovely it’s a pity it’s all about to go tits up!
We had a leisurely trip, following another boat after Greensforge because it went past us while we were at the sanitary station. At Stewpony Lock a chap coming the other way said it was really busy on the moorings at Kinver. We decided we would just have to carry on if we couldn’t get in at Kinver but it transpired that after the initial cluster of boats on the moorings near the lock we are in fact ‘Billy No Mates’ where we are round the corner!
After mooring up we took a walk along the tow path to Whittington and visited the Whittington Inn. This is a grade 2 listed Manor House built in 1310 by Sir William de Whittington, Dick Whittington’s grandfather. It was changed in to an inn in 1788 by Lord Stamford, who bought the licence and the sign board from the original Whittington Inn which used to be near by.
Unfortunately this lovely C14 building was infested with a huge amount of ebullient C21 children today and even though we were outside and they were inside the noise emanating from the open window was earsplitting! On top of this someone’s car alarm was going off at regular intervals. And the outside seating area of the pub is close to the busy road too. All of which did not make for a relaxing lunchtime drink, which was a shame. After one pint we decided to walk back to Kinver and try The Vine on the lock. Here it was just as packed, even though it was 2 pm by this time, but it was not quite so loud. We sat outside again and chatted with a very nice couple who were there with their dog.
Back at the boat we settled down to dinner and were passed by a Canaltime who was obviously trying to break the narrow boat speed record! The boat was called Rammy Time, should have been Ramming Speed!
It’s possible we may make it to Stourport tomorrow.
