Rowkin Rovings Blog

The River Severn (at 220 miles (354 km) long, is the longest river in Great Britain. It is also the river with the most voluminous flow of water by far in all of England and Wales, with an average flow rate of 107 m³/s (3,800 cu ft/s). It rises in the Cambrian Mountains in mid Wales, at an altitude of 2,001 feet (610 m), on the Plynlimon massif, which lies close to the Ceredigion/Powys border near Llanidloes. The river then flows through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The county towns of Shrewsbury, Gloucester and the City of Worcester lie on its course.

After detangling ourselves from the other three boats surrounding us, we headed out through the two sets of double locks down onto the river. We did manage to head off by 9.00am, therefore making our arrival in Worcester about 1.00pm

There are locks on the lower Severn to enable seagoing boats to reach as far as Stourport which is where we are leaving from. We have three river locks in total to Worcester and this was our first one.

It can be very tricky getting into the locks as well as lining up the boat so that both the front and back are secured. We always seem to get into a bit of a dither.

It is so much easier when all the work of the gates and paddles are done for you but then again, you couldn’t operate these huge doors yourself.

Cruising rivers are not the most fun thing to do as there are high banks which you cannot see over and huge trees that obscure your view. To see another boat is enthralling….

This guy gave us a bit of a fright, as he just seemed to appear out of no where.

It is frequently asserted that the river’s estuary, which empties into the Bristol Channel, has the second largest tidal range in the world—48 feet (15 m), exceeded only by the Bay of Fundy in Canada.

We met this delightful older chap who had lived on his boat for 16 years with his very old dog Charlie who was over 17 years of age.

The pole in this photo is all part of the floating dock. It does give you some idea as to how high the river can flood. The holiday homes in the background are also on stilts.

We remember when we came into Worcester back in 2016, how charming the approach is to the city with the stone bridge and then Worcester Cathedral.

The river does have a very dark side to it though.

Same bridge but in flood.

Another reminder that you are in Worcester is the plethora of swans around the city center. For many years the area on the River Severn between the railway viaduct and the Worcester Cathedral Ferry has been designated as a Swan Sanctuary. There is now a large and healthy population of Mute Swans on the water.

Found this fun shot of the swans in Worcester paddling down the street when the river has been in flood.

The afternoon was spent with Di getting a haircut and generally relaxing.