Pershore to Evesham-blue man and a black swan(13 miles-4 locks)

 Left Pershore at 0900 for the 5 hour run through to Evesham. Very light rain which turned to sunshine.

I'm sorry it has to be done so lets get it over with-reference to those Worcestershire place names on the Avon with a urinary connotation. Wyre Piddle, Piddle Brook, Piesse of Piddle restaurant, etc.

And of course the most outrageous of them all: this black swan was photographed off Tiddle Widdle Island. (that's the actual  name, honest, but the person who named it must have been having a laugh!)

Cropthorne Mill was passed as was Fladbury lock. The Avon locks are vicious as they fill. Its against the Avon Bylaws not to use lines fore and aft so they take a few minutes longer than we are used to. Nevertheless the turbulence is significant so two lines are really best policy. Also past Craycombe House the rather imposing home of Francis Brett-Young the West Midland novelist in the 1930s. Most people have never heard of him these days (Those of you who have-you know who you are) but he was successful enough in his day to buy this mansion.

Hampton ferry is one of the few remaining foot ferry's left on the Avon. 3 blasts on the horn requests the ferryman to lower the ferry rope across the river so you can pass. I needn't have bothered as its so rarely used its kept in the lowered position.

Saw a man with a blue head (yes you read correctly) sitting by the river as we approached Evesham. I said "hallo" but he kept staring forwards across the river.  He had a brown dog.

Hope you like my Lion tiller pin Jim and Pam got me. I'm frightened of losing it overboard though and as its brass wont be able to fish it out with a magnet. Think it calls for an engineering modification.

Finally through Evesham lock and off the Lower Avon to the Upper Avon. Good mooring near to the town.

The Evesham of the imagination though doesn't match up with the reality. It seems like about 50% of shops are to let. Lots of young people wandering about in early afternoon. Not much work here I am afraid. In fact the traditional work of the area fruit picking and market gardening seems to to be now covered off by migrant workers as evidenced by the multilingual signs in the shops that remain open.