Charles, Emma, Penny and Minnie Visit.

Sunday 24th August, 2014 in Stourport.
This is a Bank Holiday weekend and we had arranged for Charles, Emma, Penny and Minnie to come and visit us on MM. In the morning, we moved MM from her overnight mooring, which had limited access (especially for children) to a visitors' mooring beside the wharf which had just been vacated.
Charles and family arrived around midday and were able to park right next to MM. It was so nice to see them.

After a reviving cup of tea, we went for a walk around the canal basin, which is full of interest, and down to see the River Severn.

We had booked lunch at the nearby, and very attractive looking, cafeteria called, appropriately, "The Windlass". A good job that we had booked as they were really busy. Stourport attracts many weekend visitors from "Brum", they like to come for a day out by "the seaside".

There was time for a short cruise after lunch, so we set off up through the lock on to the Staffs & Worcs Canal, watched by a small crowd of onlookers. Penny helped Charles with the lock gate while M explained to the onlookers how the locks worked.

Charels took the tiller and did very well. Even Penny had a go at steering, although she needs to grow a bit before she can reach the tiller properly.  After a couple of miles, there was a winding hole. So we turned and sailed back towards the town and moored up above the lock. Minnie seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.

We had supper together before C and E put the children into their pyjamas (in the hopes that they would sleep on the way home) and set off for the long drive back to London.
It was so nice to see them and especially to spend time with Penny and Minnie. Minnie has grown up so much since we saw her last and has certainly mastered "Hello", "No" and, when presented with ducks, "Quack"!
Today: 4 miles, 1 lock and 2.8 hours.
Trip: 245 miles, 150 locks and 178.3 hours.