Boats, locks, trees & bridges

We have had to leave our friends on Rock n Roll and Derwent6 behind. Our plan is to get to Banbury so Ann can get home on the train. We did go south to get diesel at Sheperton marina where it is apparently ‘Non Bio’. It is something to ask for next time. Note to Sue for her Diesel survey perhaps.

The weather is brilliant and the Thames calm n quiet. With only two or three boats joining us in locks and so far plenty of room at the moorings. “Space for four, room for one does not seem to apply now.” In the past the ‘Plastics’ were a different breed but now they all wave back as they shoot past.

Between Runnymede and Windsor the aircraft were flying low over our heads almost every five minutes. We could see them in the distance one behind the other. With another runway on the ground the air could get very crowded. While moored at Windsor the trip boats are running to and fro between the castle and the racecourse creating waves. Causing a tsunami to head our way every time to rock our boat. So much so that the water in our tank sloshes about noisily. Sue’s blog reminds us the canals are very busy with many boats joining queues at the locks.

Bourne End mooring

We continued our journey to Bourne End and then to Henley. Still in glorious sunshine making the views bright and colourful.

This is the concrete corner that stopped our boat going down in August at Marlow Lock.

At Hurley lock we got the water tank filled, while being entertained by a person strumming his guitar in that sunshine. Molly is not so happy cos she is missing her walk along a towpath.

Any one for an ice cream.

Henley

Next day we passed slowly through Henley reach and under the bridge. Boats of all shapes and sizes approached from every direction. There are quite a few islands in the middle of the river and some times we are not sure which side to go. “If there are no arrows perhaps it does not matter”. 

Shiplake Lock

 As we approached Sonning Bridge the lock must have let a bunch of boats go. We saw some through the bridge. Two boats with people walking about on the roof being jolly merry. Then a small cruiser followed through as we hovered, the lady warned us about yet another ‘Steamer’. We were obliged to give way as we were going up stream but by now were committed to go under the bridge. Thankfully the huge Passenger boat had seen us and waited.

It had been another hot cruising day as we approached Reading. The moorings opposite the marina looked promising but proved to be shallow. Then we were lucky to get a space under the trees just before the Tesco moorings. “Guess what, we decided to go shopping and stay the night as it was nice and cool!”

 

A medical emergency

On the way at Newark lock we were joined by another boat. They set off first and it was just before Pigeon Bridge where we saw a lady on the ground with a man making a phone call. The poor lady could not get up. We both stopped to help. Ann got off with a blanket to keep the patient warm on the ground. While the crew of the other boat stayed to comfort the lady the man went off to guide the paramedics the quarter mile to the scene from Pyrford lock. I was able to ask cyclists to get off and people to put their dogs on leads as they pass. Ann got to help with the gas & air and was massaging the ladies hand. It was thought that the poor lady had dislocated her arm when she tripped and fell. Eventually she was able to get up and they all got a ride on the other boat to the lock where the ambulance was waiting.

We have continued our journey and arrived at Runnymede on the Thames. We were very lucky to get our boat in to a good mooring, our National Trust Season Ticket worth paying for.

A new month and more visitors

September arrived and so did the grand children with their dad. They bought their blow up boat and bed. The boat soon got inflated and they were off rowing up river. Many ducks wanted feeding so after a sandwich lunch the crusty bits were thrown to them. Later we all went to The Boatman for dinner.

The two boys used up some paper making many drawings and cartoons to keep them occupied. The Pink Panther cartoons on DVD also kept them quiet for a while.

There are many different types of boat in use here. Kayaks, skiffs, canoes, rowing boats and trip boats to name a few. Many were out and about before breakfast. Our skipper and crew set off again this time with a black plastic bag. They collected enough plastic bottles and rubbish to fill it.  All too soon they were off the boat and heading for home.

Next day we set off and got water at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. We passed Rock n Roll after Triggs Lock. A fishing match prevented us mooring at our chosen spot so we continued to Pyrford.

Visitors first, then to the end

At the mooring by the meadow Rock n Roll were behind us and later Derwent 6 arrived and put their pins in front. Next day all three boats were cleaned for visitors. We spent a few days here watching trip boats; rowing boats and canoes go past the window. Mother duck came with her chicks for breakfast most days.

We are only half a days run to the end at Godalming so we had to get there. We are on our own for this trip looking out for the little boats. Got stuck on a sharp bend and waited for a few of those boats to pass.

We waited for the lock to clear but then at St Catherine’s lock the trip boat driver asked to go in first.

 It was a wide barge full of people who had parked their cars at Guildford. They could not be late getting back and there was no room for us as well. By the time we had got in another boat came to join us.

Only Broadford Bridge could stop us now with just over 6 feet air clearance. The lengthman advised us to remove most things off the roof to get under it, that we did, just.

Two more locks to get through and we reached the end by mid afternoon. There is not a lot of space here. The horse drawn trip boat occupies one space and we got another behind one other boat. There is a patch of grass at our mooring and despite it being close to the road it is at least quiet. Several other boats are on private moorings. While Ann was off shopping I was surprised to see Del at the window. He had come down on his bike to check out the mooring situation. 

 Next day Rock n Roll

 and Derwent 6 arrived, got water and found some spaces.

We are now as far south as we can get on the Inland Waterway system and have been in discovery mode since Henley on Thames. There are still some more visitors to come before we head north.

Moore 2 Life website

Check it out.  I have just added a Slideshow to our River Avon and River Cam pages.  The pictures are from my Picasa site.  Click on the link to Moore 2 Life for River Avon or the link to our web site found on the right.

These are pictures from our River Cam collection.

Sorting pictures on the Wey

Cannot stop taking pictures while discovering this old Navigation. It stops at Godalming just south of Guildford and was originally created in 1651. The Wey and Aron Canal past Guildford originally went all the way to the south coast but is not navigable now. So later we will be forced to turn and go back to the Thames. The pictures will eventually get uploaded to our website.

Worsfold flood gates

On the way the river went off at several weirs while the Navigation turned a few sharp corners to rejoin the river a few locks up.  Rock n Roll turning the corner.

Vertical rollers at some corners are useful when towing with a rope.

  Next day we progressed to Guildford and stopped at the meadow south of the town.

Now we go this Wey

At Weybridge we stayed on moorings not far from the town. We found the shops and stocked up with some provisions.

Just across the water a sign points to the Wey and informs us that the river Navigation belongs to the National Trust. Our right to navigate requires payment of £102 for a maximum of 21 days.

Once paid and through Thames lock Carol n George led the way through the next three locks. The locks are all wide enough for both boats and operated by ourselves. Back to normal for us after nearly a month on the Thames where the keepers did the operation. The Way Navigation is lined with trees that keep us cool on our journey.

We now have a special windlass with a long handle and smaller square to fit the sluce gear.

We are not required to shut the gates as we leave whichever way we go.

Three hours after setting off from Weybridge we arrived at Pyrford moorings opposite the marina by the Anchor and stayed over the weekend. Brod came up to see us on the Sunday and we had drinks and a meal at the pub.

Later a walk up stream setting a target to find the Abbey, but it was so hot we gave up at the pylons. “It was never, it seemed, ‘just round the next bend’!”

Next day Tesco delivered goodies to both boats just after 9. Once the stock was sorted we moved up the lock for water.

Papercourt Lock

Both boats then continued up some more locks to arrive at Send where wonderful quiet moorings by the high footbridge were found. They are such a contrast from that busy pub.

On the way we found that the Abbey was round the next bend by Newark lock!