Driotwich - - - by car..

Yesterday afternoon we drove into Droitwich to have a recce.  Parking at one of the numerous car parks in the town we wandered off in search of the High Street and more importantly, Vine Park and the newly opened navigation.  The buildings in the High Street are a sight to see; subsidence caused by centuries of salt extraction have caused the buildings to lean every which way.  It must be a carpenter's nightmare trying to hang doors or fit windows where 'level' is an entirely alien concept - they are still standing though..

 Droitwich High Street.

 This is now an Indian/Bangladeshi restaurant but clearly its origins were more homely, an Inn?  What the betting it was called the 'Crown'.

 Canal Fix - one of the swing bridges over the canal in Vine Park.

 We happily assisted this family from Eire through the lock: second day out and a little bewildered by this latest obstacle, a swing bridge over the barge lock.
 " You need your BW key",
blank looks,
"What this?",
offering up a anti-vandal key.
 " No, it is a Yale key."
More blank looks
" The key you use for waterpoints... possibly on a cork?"
Light dawns and the key is found from within the boat and offered up to the crew. We get the swing bridge open, the boat fully in the lock, and the rest goes like clockwork.   Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves though the level of confusion was on the high side - one wonders how much tuition/guidance these hirer's actually get...

 We were particularly interested in the provision for overnight stays in Droitwich and here it is.  Excellent secure pontoon moorings.  Access for boaters is through the locked gate to the pontoons that are separated from the bank by a fringe of reeds.

The former Town Hall