Wey Down South

We have come as far south as is possible on the canal and river network. The river Wey has brought us to Godalming in Surrey.  It has been a lovely cruise along this pretty, winding river since we left the Thames  at Weybridge a few days ago.

Our first night's mooring.

 The Wey and Godalming Navigations are owned by the National Trust, who keep the locks in good working order and the topwpaths in good repair. A fee is charged to use the waterway, 10% off for NT Members.

Coxes Mill now attractively converted to exclusive flats.

Soon we were passing under the M25, gosh it was noisy and we followed it along for a little way, it was good to get away again.

Grafitti on the bridge piers

or is it art?

Through Walsham flood gates, open as with the low rain fall, the risk is low.

The lock cottages are neat and tidy.

Newark Priory ruins beside Newark lock.

Delightfully peaceful scene though those dark skies kept bringing heavy showers

and a lot of water running over the weir here at Papercourt lock.

It's very unusual to see a duck on her nest they are usually so well hidden amongst the reeds and vegetation along the banks. This one however was well hidden from sight, in the top of one of the posts marking the entrance to a lock and very safe from Mr Fox.  I only spotted her as we got close and I went to fend off the boat as we made the turn out of the lock. As Ian passed at the back of the boat, she was moving and he could see the eggs under her.  We do wonder what will happen when the ducklings hatch....

It's about 4' to water level!

Coming through Guildford we met up with our nephew for lunch, he is doing research into gearbox design there for a PhD. We moored up at Shalford Meadows, had a quick visit to the shops in the town then back to cook a meal for friends who were coming to visit us for the evening. Great to be able to show them our boaty home and catch up with family news.

St. Catherine's Sands, like a beach, I guess a popular playing stop for the children on a sunny day.

Love this handsome shaggy fellow.

The Wey and Arun canal branched off here at Stonebridge wharf.

Now we're at Godallming, where we arrived in time to see the Horse Trip boat, Iona, leaving the wharf.

Taking the strain.

And off they go.

We walked on round the river getting narrower and shallower yet still flowing fast.

River Wey, Weybridge to Godalming - 3 days

19 miles, 14 locks

Caught on Camera

We were so pleased to find that we'd been spotted on our trip from Limehouse down to the Thames Barrier on Sunday.

It was taken by Tim Lewis  from a Greenwich pub and posted on Canalworld Forum where Amy form Lucky Duck recognised us.  Great, we had been saying it was a shame that none of our photos had Tacet in them. This one will be very special.  Thanks Tim.

Finishing off the Grand Union

First of all I want to go back to Monday when, after we got into Brentford, it still being only 10.30, we decided to go on up the Grand Union to Bull's Bridge Junction as we hadn't done that stretch on the way down as we turned off on the Paddington Arm. We needed  wanted to be able to colour that in on the map too! Ian had already told the lock-keeper we would be back on Tuesday for the trip out to Teddington, so off we set.

This fellow waited while we worked through the lock before he flew off.

The guaging lock toll office at Brentford

Alongside the Hanwell flight is the old asylum site, now part of Ealing Hospital, the bricked up archway in the long wall was the entrance to a small dock in the asylum where coal was brought in and surplus fresh produce from the market gardens was taken to sell.

Cowslips beside the locks.

A coot's nest in a boat's fender. Hope they weren't going anywhere soon. You can just see a hatched baby's little red hed below her beak. It's a bit blurred, I was driving the boat as I took the photo!

Although still a bit cold it was a lovely afternoon. And after a quick shop at Tesco at Bull's Bridge, oh and a late lunch there, we turned around and made our way back. At the top of the Norwood locks we met up with Mark, who was walking back to Brentford along the towpath, and was interested in the locks and boats, so teamed up with Ian working the locks, we found him a windlass and he got stuck in, Ian going on ahead preparing locks and Mark letting Tacet down and closing up behind me.

He was so enjoying himself, you could tell from the smile on his face  as he crossed the gates, and wound the paddles, he was almost skipping down the the next lock.

A well deserved ride then a cuppa before he went home as Mum was cooking his dinner, we enjoyed his company, he was a great help and I think he had a great time too. Thanks Mark.

Now back to today, and we visited Hampton Court Palace this morning.

This amazingly grand old Tudor house which became one of Henry VIII's royal palaces. There is so much to see and we didn't see it all, but we did enjoy the State apartments, the tudor kitchens, a bit of the gardens but it was raining, and the maze.

We moved on this afternoon and are now at Weybridge just on the River Wey.

7miles, 2 locks.

Last leg of the Tideway

We woke up to the sound of wind and rain this morning, which didn't bode well for our final trip on the tidal Thames.

our Brentford mooring outside the BW offices (sign on door not changed yet!)

We weren't due to go through Thames lock until 11.15, two hours before high tide which would then take us up to Teddington lock and off the tidal water. So there was time to use the services, walk Jumble and visit the River for a quick recce, oh dear...

Half an hour before we leave and there's just mud below the lock!

on the mud at the boatyard

a great variety of boats here at MSO Marine, in various stages of build or repair.

Nevertheless by the time we got down to Thames lock and been let down by the friendly lady lock-keeper the tide had come up enough and we were soon back out on the Thames.

 Our first view up river today and look the sun is shining now and the wind has dropped.

NB Oliver's Dreams came out with us and was soon in front.

Isleworth

Planes overhead coming into Heathrow

Richmond half-tide lock, moveable weir and footbridge, the barriers just visible along the water line, holding the tide.

But at high tide they are raised, the barriers lift

right out of the water

and rotate up above

and we pass through. A great piece of Victorian engineering, built in 1894.

Heronry at Eel Pie Island, Twickenham

Richmond Bridge

Richmond Hill

Those clouds look a bit threatening, but the tree colours are amazing against them.

A bit of a contrast to the view of Richmond Hill behind us, looks like a Coot's nest, a recycled mix of rubbish!

Oh dear, is it coming this way?

Main House or Boat House?

Yes the rain came down,

Just as we got to Teddington lock.

But by the time we were leaving the sun was out again. We moored up for lunch and a walk round the nature reserve, hung up the washing which had been done on the journey and then were ready to set off again.

We wanted to stop at Hampton Court, all the free overnight moorings alongside the Palace were taken,

So we went up the lock and have had to pay (grrrr) for the night. We will go to visit tomorrow.

A shorter day for us today, after the mammoth day yesterday, (I just totalled up the lock miles! No wonder I slept like a baby).

There was time to make Chocolate Fudge Cake, yummm.

Monday

Limehouse Basin - Brentford - Bull's Bridge - Brentford

26 miles, 23 locks, Phew (In 11 hours, inc Tesco shop)

Tuesday

Brentford - Hampton Court

10 miles, 4 locks