Hopwood to Alvechurch (Worcester& Birmingham Canal)

Smuggs with John & Sharon

I can fit on here!!

Smuggler is going home later this morning so we had breakfast and then went for one last walk as the sun was shining.  We walked down past the garden centre and along the lane to the Sports club and the Rugby ground was opposite and there was a cache there so we had a look around and we were lucky today, we found it.  We then walked around the sports field on the footpath and back to the road.

Chugging past Hopwood House pub

We went back to the boat and about mid-morning John and Sharon arrived.  Smuggler was very pleased to see them and he even wanted to sit with them, so he climbed up on the very small drawer unit which was between where John and Sharon was sitting and sat in the middle of them, he looked so funny as it is a really tiny unit but obviously he had missed them and wanted to be with them, so sweet.

Passing Fishery by the reservoir

We had a coffee and a chat and then they left to drive home.  It has been lovely looking after Smuggler and John and Sharon had a lovely holiday so that was good.  We will see them again in a couple of months as they will be out on their boat for their summer trip and going the same way as us so we will look forward to that.

We then went to the pub which is just by the moorings, Hopwood House for lunch.  It was really nice, it is a Marstons cheap and cheerful but good and all the staff were really friendly.

Back past Lower Bittell Reservoir

After lunch we chugged back to Alvechurch, back past Lower Bittell Reservoir and after a couple of miles we were there and went to the marina.  I got off and found out which space they wanted us to go in and Kev reversed the boat into the space without too much trouble.

We walked up to the co-op in the village to get a couple of things then back round by  the canal and back to the boat.  We are going back to Weston-Super-Mare  tomorrow for a couple of days as I am seeing the Consultant but it is good news, I had a letter from him a couple of days ago to say I am all clear for another year but he just likes to see me and do an examination as well which is really good.  We are leaving the boat here in Alvechurch marina while we are away and will be back on Saturday.

Moored at Alvechurch Marina