Great Western Christmas Envoy November 26 2022

The opportunity to travel all the way from Coventry to Bristol behind a steam train could not be missed. so the tickets for four of us were booked. There was a slight panic when ASLEF announced they were going on strike that day, but Saphos, the tour operator said they had their own drivers and would not be affected

We arrived at Coventry station at 0800, to find the passage from the street carpark locked and a sign saying the station was closed. We wandered around to the main entrance, where mentioning the keyword "charter" got us to Platform 4, we were the only train of the day! The train, hauled by "Britannia" number 7000 arrived on time.

After picking up passengers at Leamington we continued South, pausing near Oxford station while the engine got more water from a water tanker parked over the fence (the train started in Crewe).We then made a stop in Swindon station having convinced Network Rail that noone else would need a platform.

After dropping off some passengers at Bath, the train continued to Bristol Temple meads, arriving on time. We walked into town and visited the Cathedral and had coffee at the docks

Bristol Cathedral

Not much was happening at Bristol Temple Meads

About to depart from Bristol Temple Meads

A stop was made at the deserted Oxford Station platform while the engine got more water from a water tanker parked over the fence and we stretched our legs

The train arrived on time at Coventry station at 2005. The staff were pleased by our arrival as they could then close the station!

Birmingham to Worcester canal Part 2 13 Nov 2022

The only section of the Birmingham canal walk to be completed was Alvechurch to Droitwich We decided to do it from the North end, so we went to catch a train from Canley to Droitwich. When we got to the station the train was so full due to an event at the NEC that we couldnt get on and had to take the next one. This was also crowded/delayed and got to New St too late to get the connection to Droitwich. The the next one being in 105 minutes due to cancellations. However there was a train to Alvechurch so we decided to do the route as Alvechurch to Droitwich

We left Alvechurch at 1250. It was sunny all the way. The only incident was a preening swan blocking the path!

Swan blocking Towpath

Tardebigge Locks

We got to Hanbury Wharf as the light was failing but managed to get to the Centre of Droitwich through the gloom at 1730. We did 11.5 miles.

We failed to find somewhere to eat in Droitwich, and unwilling to wait for the next New Street Train in an hour we caught the snow hill train and ate at Pizza hut in the Bull ring. The centre was very crowded due to the Birmingham German Christmas market being in operation

Alvechurch to Droitwich