UK Canals - Journey reports

Crofton

Here we are sitting in the garden of the Swan at Wilton. There is no signal where the boat is moored. Great weather today and only 3 boats on the moorings at the moment.

Pewsey

An uneventful cruise along the 16 mile pound. The Barge Inn at Honeystreet looked very inviting but we didnt stop. Moorings at Pewsey are hopeless. The front of the boat is about 6 feet from the bank and Cassie has already fallen in.

Devizes

Set off at 7:20 this morning and did the three remaining Seend locks and the two swing bridges. As we passed Sells Green one boat set off in the opposite direction behind us and then as we turned onto the long straight towards Foxhangers we saw a boat disappearing round the corner in the distance. On arrival at Foxhangers bottom lock that boat was waiting for us – PLUTO of Crick. We soon settled into an easy routine with Terry and June as we climbed up to the bottom of the Caen Hill flight. Terry suggested that we should move as one boat and enter each lock simultaneously, thus avoiding the awkward shuffling that goes on when the first boat in tries to manoeuvre onto the lock wall to create room for the following one. Much to my surprise this was both easy and effective, both boats moving easily side by side without the need for any ropes. Our friends Ross and Judith (nb ADA) joined us at the bottom of Caen Hill and a most enjoyable time was spent on the way up to Devizes. The locks (all remaining 21 of them) just seemed to be totally incidental to the cups of tea, canal experiences, stories and catching up with old acquaintances and new ones. Just one of the many delights of canal cruising. As before, opposite direction traffic on the flight can be a problem if individual helmsmen are unfamiliar with the procedure and the simple process of swapping locks across the very short pounds can turn into a major exercise. Given the right choreography it is straightforward. On reaching Devizes we found plenty of mooring space. Once secure, the group repaired to the “Pelican” for pints (or in Pat’s case buckets) of ale. A short shopping expedition to restock on vital supplies followed including dog food obtained from the nearby pet shop. The day that had started out cool and cloudy had brightened up and was now really quite warm. We tested the new fan as the wind of the last few days had died down and the boat was rather stuffy even with all the vents open. Tomorrow we make for Pewsey.

Seend

Again lots of moored boats meant a slow dawdle up the canal to Seend. Lots of canaltime about and a few novice hirers otherwise quiet.

Claverton, Avoncliffe and Bradford on Avon

Yesterday I extricated the fold-up bike from its locker and cycled to Claverton as it was the one day of the month when the water wheel is in operation. It was a good ride on the well made up tow path although there were many walkers out. Found the lane leading down to the pumping station which was on the otherside of an uncontrolled level crossing over the Bathampton to Bradford on Avon railway line. Actually, I couldn't find the place initially, although there was what looked like a cottage to the left. This was it! The small stone building was rather deceptive in its size. The part I could see from the lane housed the beam engine, the large water wheel being house in a wooden structure across the mill-pond. The working engine was most impressive and much larger than I had expected.

Today, our expected guests not able to be with us, we left the mooring at 8:20, having taken water earlier. A very slow passage followed due to the mutiplicity of moored boats and the shallowness of the canal particularly nearing Avoncliffe. So many boats were so badly moored that it was inevitable that they would crash and bang against the concrete walls of the canal in this section. We stopped at Avoncliffe for a look around and dog walk through the country park. After lunch onwards for the remaining 0.9 miles to Bradford on Avon where we moored near to the 14th Century Tithe Barn. I had a look inside - the orignial roof is a massive structure and more typical of a cathedral.

Bathampton

A leisurely start to the day. Pat walked ahead to the first lock on the canal proper and telephoned to say that she had control of the lock. This is because the lock gates are very close to the river and as there can be a current running across the entrance to the canal it makes hovering around difficult sometimes. So I was just able to motor directly into the lock. After that Pat lifted the top paddles and left me to carry on, while she walked ahead to get the deep lock (19 feet rise) ready. By the time we had reached the top of that boats were starting to come down, so locks were all in our favour. At the top we just drifted along, past all the moored boats, to Bathampton where we moored past the bridge. Once settled I took advantage of the nice weather to do a bit of paint touching up and then took the bike out to recce the village. After lunch I cycled up to Claverton to have a look at the historic pumping station as it was one of the rare open days. The waterwheel, which is always shown in the pictures, is much more impressive close up, however the huge gear wheels and the beam pumps themselves are awe inspiring. I was amazed that the teeth of the large gear attached to the water wheel and that mesh with the smaller 3.2:1 gear driving the beams, are made of oak.
Pat wanted some last minute shopping, so I took the cycle back to Bath. A most enjoyable ride.

Bath

We are having a rest day and some shopping

Back to Bath

The Univeristy Reunion was excellent and I met many I had not seen for 15 years since the last reunion. Then we spent a day looking around before returning home to Beckenham for 2 nights. Thursday saw us back on the boat and then this morning leaving for Bath. We met up with a boat at Hanham that had left about 15 minutes before us. They were just finishing taking on water, so caught us up fairly quickly and we navigated together up the River Avon. Mark and Leslie in LEXDEN SWAN. Just after Keynsham lock we were passing a sort of country park, or wildlife park when we were called by a bunch of visitors. A little lamb was in the water at the river's edge and was unable to get out. We brought the boat to a screeching halt and reversed up to the bank. I guess this was enough to spur the little aninal on to greater effor because it was rescued then without any real help from us. In Weston Lock, Mark let his rope dangle and get caught in the prop. He said that he had an easy weed hatch, so we left him to it. We found a mooring on the wall at Kingsmead, almost exactly where we had been previously. A quick dog walk followed and then a massive shopping expedition. Used to the car, it was touch and go whether we would be able to carry everything we had bought back to the boat. The weather had been excellent with just fair weather cumulus for most of the day, a strong breeze and this evening clear skies. 17 miles today, 7 locks in 6 hours.

Bristol

There was no rush this morning given the stoppage at Weston Lock, but we did need a “big shop”, so we left at 8:45 and moved the boat to Kingsmead moorings for Sainsburys at Green Park Station. There were a number of boats moored there that we recognized from Bradford, though no sign of Vagabond. Did the shopping, but had to walk along the road to get there rather than take the back access from the towpath because the towpath was closed for major drainage work. The conversion of the old station building into an open market area with Sainsburys itself built on the old loco yard is very attractive. Once done I got the folding bike out and rode round to Weston Lock to see for myself what was going on. The remains of the clay dam were being removed. There was only on boat waiting here, a small sailing boat on its way from Paris to the River Lune. The crew had been waiting there for 3 days and were desperate to get back to sea to continue their journey. The work on the lock was due to finish at 16:00, but the expectation was that it would reopen early. I returned to the boat and continued the wait when suddenly 2 narrowboats appeared from the direction of the lock. They must have come through, so without more ado, at 14:00 we left the mooring and found the lock was indeed in use again. The lock-keeper explained that he had only been informed of the problem by a dog walker and that it was believed that the top paddles had both been opened fully with the bottom gates open. They had then slammed shut with such force that the lock quoin on one side had collapsed and the resulting loss of masonry left the stop plank groove unsupported. Consequently a clay dam had to be created to undertake the work – resulting in the majority of the delay. We were able to make good progress from then on and made the visitor moorings in Bristol Harbour by 19:30, only 6 hours late.

Bath

Moved off to take the water before leaving at 08:10. As reported on Narrowboatworld, it’s wall-to-wall moored boats for much of the way, and consequently not very rapid progress can be made on “impulse power”. The scenery makes up for this. Much of the route as far as Dundas is tree lined on both sides and it is not until Avoncliffe Viaduct that occasional breaks give one magnificent views over the Avon Valley. The canal has been carved into the hillside between Avoncliffe and Dundas and occasional rocky outcrops testify to the works undertaken on its construction. This section is one of the historically leaky bits of the canal, this problem now solved by a concrete trough cunningly constructed to be almost invisible above the waterline. Odd breaks in lines of moored boats allowed Nuggler to attain a warp speed, though only to factor 2. By way of explanation anything below 1000 rpm on the tacho is impulse power. Above that, engaging warp drive, allows speeds up to factor 10 (2000rpm) although 7 is the maximum usually used on deep water river cruising which can give a frightening 4 knots.
The two swing bridges encountered after Dundas Aqueduct were much stiffer than those previously encountered, shortly after which we arrived at Bathampton where the skipper of nb Tomorrow was very anxious lest our propeller should pick up his duvet cover which had blown into the canal and sunk. We helped him board our bow and sweep for it with a boating hook, but no luck. There seemed to be much more traffic about from here on in and two lots of boats were passed in the Widcombe flight leading down to the River Avon in Bath. The Bath Deep Lock (second deepest on the British Canal System I am told) is very impressive and the massive bottom gates were too much for Pat. Fortunately there are always tourists around willing to help, so with two strong lads she got them open. We turned up river towards Pulteney Weir and fortunately found a mooring allowing us to bring our stern right up to a gate (for the dogs). Although we are charged £4.90 for the 24 hours we will spend here, it has to be worth it for one of the most picturesque places around.

Today: 9.8 miles; 7 locks ; 2 swing bridges and 5hrs 15 mins

Tomorrow, BW is still giving 4pm as the re-opening time for Weston Lock (it had suffered a wall collapse on 7th June I believe). We will move down to Sainsbury's for a big shop in the morning and then wander along to see what we can find out. Hopefully we can still make Bristol by Saturday Lunch time.

Downhill to Bradford-on-Avon

Up at the crack of dawn again and we left the moorings at 7:00. The first 6 locks down after Devizes are well spaced out and Pat walked on ahead filling the locks or just opening the gates as necessary leaving me to work the locks single handed. K&A locks are not as well laid out as on the Grand Union and in order to close the gates on exit it is necessary to moor up below. This delayed me quite a bit and so I got quite a lot behind. A swan was occupying the third lock, which caused quite a problem evicting it. At the bottom we met nb Vagabond again and paired up for the rest of the descent. The 16 locks of the main Caen Hill flight, with their large side ponds, are very impressive whether viewed from the top or bottom. A natural sequence becomes established fairly quickly on a regular flight of locks like this and we were doing very well until we met opposite direction traffic when the cross over in the short pounds between locks needs careful handling. One at the bottom we met more opposite direction boats, but their exuberant crew had set the locks too far ahead which caused us more delay and at the next set of locks a hire boat coming up had got stuck under a gate causing further delays. All in all by the time we reached the bottom, 29 locks in all, we had taken 5 hours. Proceeding onwards, still in company with nb Vagabond we did the swing bridges and the first three locks at Seend where the Vagabond crew peeled off into the Barge Inn.. Concerned about the possible difficulty of mooring up at Bradford on Avon, always a popular spot, we continued arriving at 16:45 to find the last decent mooring near the dry dock. Tomorrow our destination is Bath. We will find out then, if the repairs to Weston Lock are complete and whether we can get to Bristol in time for Saturday’s University reunion dinner.

Today 36 locks, 6 swing bridges, 11.8 miles, 9hrs 45 mins

Devizes

Walked the dogs at 6 am. The Vale of Pewsey falls away gently below the canal and with the trails of early morning mist in the distance it looked so peacful almost magical. Then a quick breakfast and a quiet slipping of moorings at 7:10 to get a headstart for Devizes. There are no locks and only two swing bridges. As fortune would have it a helpful gentleman, and I assume a BW employee because he had the key and was inspecting the first bridge and its moorings taking notes, offered to see me through as he had to swing the bridge anyway he told me. Amazingly he was there at the second bridge by the time I got there and repeated the service. There were plenty of moorings available at Devizes and it was also time for a pump out, so with that done I tied up and waited for Pat to arrive from London (train Paddington to Swindon and then bus). The dogs were very pleased to see her. Its decided we will wait here tonight and then have a long day tomorrow.

Over the top to Pewsey

Left at 7:10 for the 6 remaining locks of the Crofton Flight and then, once over the summit and through the Bruce Tunnel the 4 locks at Wooton Rivers. This will leave the 16 mile pound for tomorrow which should put me in Devizes by midday to meet Pat. With a lock flight single handed I like to have one lock prepared ahead, so that it is not necessary to moor up each time to open the gate etc. So I keep the fold-up bike handy in the cratch and use this to ride up to the next lock whilst the current lock is on its last 1/3 fill making sure that the boat is secure. This works best when other boaters are not around, hence the early start. Nearing the top my mobile got a signal again and I saw there was a voice mail message from two boating friends, Ross and Judith who looking forward to having a day out, and having been following this blog offered to help me up the flight. The message was dated the previous evening. Too late now! However, on the other side of the tunnel, we made contact and they joined me at the top of Wooton Rivers Locks. So I had the luxury of escorted passage and charming company as well as ending up in the Royal Oak. Moving onwards, making Pewsey my target for the night, we managed to squeeze into a mooring just 1 foot too short, but at least enabling the dogs to disembark. Pewsey is clearly terribly popular. Such a shame that the moorings are not up to the standard elsewhere on the canal, being largely unmade and shallow in places. Tomorrow Devizes and Wednesday Caen Hill to Bradford on Avon. That promises to be a long day – 36 locks in all. Perhaps we need a cunning plan!

Today: 7.4 miles 10 Locks 5hrs 45 mins

Great Bedwyn and Crofton

Gemma’s last day with me, she needed to get a train at Great Bedwyn. So we left Hungerford at 8:00. There was obviously a fishing competition taking place between Hungerford Church Swing Bridge and Hungerford Lock, because the row of roach poles extending across the canal into the distance looked like the supporting skeleton for a great plastic awning to be set across the canal. As we went along the poles rose and fell just like a Mexican wave in slow motion. Approaching Hungerford Marsh Lock, a boat which appeared to be moored there pulled away and as it passed the crew told us that Lock 68 had a broken gate and we would not be able to get through. Looking at the map I could see that lock 68 was nearer to Great Bedwyn than Hungerford, and as the term “broken gate” could mean almost anything I decided to carry on. The canal was very quiet, and only on reaching lock 70 did we meet a clutch of narrowboats heading the other way. Not a word was spoken about any problems ahead, and on reaching lock 68 we found it deserted and no sign of any problem. Was this a practical joke? On reaching Great Bedwyn the only mooring left was on the 2 hour spot by the pump out, so that was it for the 2 hours we needed to get a meal and for Gemma to catch her train. We went to the Cross Keys Inn again (we’ve been there on previous trips along the canal) where we received a warm welcome and got the best pub Sunday roast I can ever recall having. Well recommended. Having seen Gemma safely on her train home, Bella Cassie and I set off for Crofton and just managed to squeeze in to the last 61 feet of spare mooring space left. That evening, not having much else to do, and with no signal on the mobile phone to post this report, I decided to stroll over to Wilton via the footpath alongside Wilton Water. A beautiful little village and the pub looks very interesting so we must make the effort ot return there on our way back.

Today: 6.7 miles, 14 locks, 6 hrs 40 mins

Thatcham to Hungerford

One of the longest legs of recent days, so we left early. Gemma prepped Monkey Marsh Lock and I found this much easier than Garston Lock, the other turf sided lock. Here all the vertical uprights on the steel lock frame are set up as mooring bollards. At the swing bridge following I picked up a small log which we had spotted the night before on a routine dog walk. At Ham Lock we found the dreaded gate paddle baffles all stuffed with tree foliage after the recent storms. The towpath side paddle was so ineffective that even when fully open the resulting water flow failed to seal the bottom gates. There has to be a better way of protecting the unfamiliar boater, but if this is necessary at all, why is the practice not universal. All the gate paddles so far on this canal have been unprotected. Just before Greenham Lock a boat pulled out of the marina in front of us. This was nb Vagabond with which we shared the lock. We briefly parted company, us to take water (£1) at Greenham Boat Services and Vagabonds crew to go shoppiong. We waited for them at Higgs Lock and journeyed together to Kintbury. On this section we had two heavy downpours - a shame for the crew of the Kintbury Horse drawn trip boat that we passed. After luinch at Kintbury we set off again for Hungerford, this time in pleasant weather missing the many CBs to left and right. Good moorings at Hungerford. Its just that there arn't so many boats about. Possible bad news though for my hope to get to Bristol on the 16th. Part of the lock wall at Weston Lock has fallen away and the lock is not expected to re-open until the 16th.

Today's run 7:00 hours; 16 locks; 3 swing briodges; 12 miles.

Thatcham

Left Woolhampton at 08:00 and arrived Thatcham 10:30. Very gentle, leisurely and enjoyable cruise. No pressure!

Moored up at Thatcham next to nb Caen Hill, a Reading Marine hire boat, which was the first boat we ever hired 3 years ago. I saw that the engine still smokes badly and the occupants complained about the very uncomfortable bed. I don't remember the bed, but perhaps I didn't know any better then. We also didn't know that you don't have to leave the bilge pump on all the time, that it has an automatic float switch, and that it is not normal for the batteries to give out by 9 pm, or that one can have hot water all the time if you turn the gas heating on etc. etc.

A maintenance day I think and waiting for my daughter Gemma who joins me this evening. Gemma will be returning to London on Sunday from Great Bedwyn, thereafter I shall be solo until Pat joins me at Devizes on Tuesday.

Today: 2.9 miles, 3 locks 2 swing bridges 2hrs 30 mins.

Woolhampton

Left the mooring at 08:00 in sunny weather, but it soon deteriorated. No problems with locks or swing bridges, although the gates on Towney Lock would not stay shut and needed quite a top flow to get them to stay closed. A lot of debris in the cut too after last nights storm. Got to Reading Marine at about 9:30 and stopped for diesel. Then picked up with nb TOMORROW for passage through Aldermaston and Woolhampton Locks. Because of the proximity of the automated swing bridge and the lock, and the river stream which joins the canal in between it is generally reckoned necessary to make the jump between the two in one go. So for a single handed boater experiencing the rage of the motorists in opening the bridge and blocking their road, then mobilizing the boat, steering it through the fast stream, correctly offsetting for the cross stream from the river, entering the lock, climbing out and roping the boat up then wandering back to the bridge to reconnect the road, is fairly daunting. Actually, however, having checked it all out, I think for the single boat it is perfectly possible to do this uphill in two sections, although downhill with the current might be more difficult. By now the weather had turned and gentle rain which had started some 15 minutes previously, turned into torrential rain. Time to moor up for the night – and its only 12:00 midday. However the planned distance has been covered at we should be in good stead to meet Gemma tomorrow evening at Thatcham. She will be leaving at Great Bedwyn, thereafter I shall be single handed again until Devizes.

Todays cruise 4miles, 3 swing bridges, one major road lifting bridge
4 hours

Wargrave Marsh to Tyle Mill

Left the mooring at 07:05 in an attempt to beat the weather. Strangely a sunny morning and not at all windy. Did Shiplake and Sonning locks by hand. Shiplake was full with the top gates open and I left it likewise. Sonning was empty and advice was to leave it so. Both took about 20 minutes to clear. By the time we reached Kings Meadow Tesco it was 9:23, the wind was picking up and cloud increasing. Nice mooring close to the gate, but what a shame about those pathetic little rings for mooring up on the wooden staging. After a quick shopping expedition I walked Chloe to the station where we found a train that left in 3 minutes. Back on the boat I made a quick getaway at 11:05 and headed for Blakes Lock, which was passed in quick time. Hit the traffic light button in passing and it went green immediately, so on to County Lock where the gates were open and one boat in the lock waiting. There were also men in blue sweatshirts in attendance, which did not bode well. It transpired that the bottom riverside gate had jammed open. A black rubber slim line fender was eventually produced, but the gate appeared to be scraping the bottom of the lock and on closer inspection the gate did appear to be slowly falling apart. It was drooping somewhat. Eventually it was closed and I continued on in company with Ed on Azteca, the other boat. It seems that it was entirely fortuitous that the men in blue were there to collect litter. Azteca and Nuggler, both single handed, made a good team, Azteca bound for Theale but I was hoping to get to Tyle Mill. On learning this Ed thought that I would not be able to manage Sulhampstead Lock single-handed as the top gates leak badly. He offered to come up with me to help, and then walk back to Theale where he would have moored up. I was happy to accept this offer, but felt really bad about it when the rain started as we approached Theale moorings. On reaching Sulhampstead the rain had eased, but a large old oak tree had fallen across the towpath and lock moorings, which really made help worthwhile in getting ashore to empty the lock. The lock was passed with no problem after that and Ed went on his way with a bottle in token of thanks. At Sulhampstead swing bridge a boat was moored right in the centre of the bridge moorings leaving no room in front or behind to get ashore. In this situation I have no hesitation in using that boat as a pontoon. Because of the strong wind my arrival was probably not as gentle as I would have wished which caused the occupant to appear offering to work the bridge for me. I declined his offer so long as I could use his boat as a mooring. He said OK and disappeared inside again out of the rain. There are no sensible moorings below Tyle Mill Lock and bridge, so I worked the bridge with the lock gates open, stopping temporarily between the two to close the bridge again. Above the lock there is a further stretch of permit only moorings and the bank has been environmentally restored with wooden posts and interlacing brushwood, but not backfilled. The only way to get ashore was to jump across this into the nettles, but the centre rope was not really enough to control the boat in the string gusting wind, so a rapid jump back on followed to get a stern line and stakes. Having half moored up I didn’t like the look of mooring under a tree, so moved. Just when I was happy, got inside, removed wet clothing and lit the fire a boat came through at full chat and had the result of adjusting my mooring.

Parts of the canal are very shallow, when even a fast tickover speed seems to cause a breaking wash and speed generally seems slow in comparison to the deep water of the Thames. In the straight section above Fobney Lock, overgrowing treens and bushes have reduced width to such an extent as to make this quite difficult for two boats to pass. The lock gates in many cases look past their sell by dates, Burghfield bottom and County bottom in particular. Strange too how much longer Fobney Lock is than the rest. I wonder why?

Todays cruising 14.6 miles, 9 hrs 20 minutes, 11 locks

Boveney to Wargrave Marsh

Left at 7:30 and did Bray Lock by hand. It only took about 20 minutes and hundreds of turns of the handles. Non-stop, apart from lock waits where the dogs were occasionally let off for a swim or whatever. Found a rather overgrown curved mooring on the public moorings just after Marsh Lock. We should be in Reading in 2 - 3 hours tomorrow. The weather forcast is looking really dismal for the next 2 days with winds and heavy rain forecast, so I hope the Kennet doesn't get into flood and impede progress.

Pyrford to Boveney

Left the mooring at 7:20 after a quiet night. Don't you just like it when someone pulls out in front of you, and then exhibits bizarre behaviour as if they have never handled a boat before. I wont go into details but we were glad he was going the other way at Weybridge as he pushed in front of two other boats waiting at Thames Lock. We stopped at Chertsey Lock for water and were surprised when three colourful boats emerged in gondola style with crew dressed in blue and white stripes and rowing standing facing forwards. It turns out they were Italians from Venice on their way from Penton Hook to London. A straight cruise followed with a lunch stop at Runnymead. We found a good mooring at Boveney near "the Hangar".

Leaving Guildford

My intention was to leave after midday, but Pat and Gemma were anxious to get home (by train), so we left shortly after 10, and joined the queue for the locks. We dropped Pat & Gemma off near the railway station and Chloe and I with Labradors continued on. We have stopped at Pyrford which should put us in good position to be on the Thames by 10:00 tomorrow.

The Boat Pageant

Saturday was the day of the boat pageant. Unfortunately Cassie absolutely refused to get off the boat this time and we needed to move. Try as we might we could not find a good bank side mooring further up the river – all too shallow – so had to settle for getting the bows in near enough. After a few hours spent inflating balloons and attaching them to the boat I noticed a distinct list. Presumably the river level was dropping after the rain the previous day and not wanting to be left high & dry felt the need to move immediately. This we lost this position and had to try all over. Then the prop got snarled up in a bird’s nest of bramble cuttings. To cut to the chase the pageant was enormous fun, almost a shambles but not quite. Many boats had gone to great lengths so we had The Muppets, Swan Lake, Eurovision/Abba and the winner Chitty Chitty Bang Bang complete with made up crew including Grandad in his sentry box steering the boat. Our entry was pathetic in comparison, but our bubble machine did get the attention of the children and our only intention had been to enter into the spirit of things. Back to the pub again for an excellent meal.

Arrival Guildford Boat Gathering

Guildford Boat Gathering orgainised in association with National Trust and as part of the Guildford Festival.

After detatching ourselves from the undergrowth we left at 7:10. The first boat had passed us at 5 am and three more around 7 am. We caught up with them at Bowers Lock but after a short wait for them to clear we were on our way again to find our moorings at the festival site. Unfortunately we had been given a rather shallow patch, but making the best of it, with the help of Molly Rose crew, we got secure and the gang plank out. Cassie hates gang planks, but with much trembling, whining and hesitation she made it. The bad news was that were were intended to be the canalside breasted up but the other boat had not arrived. When it did it meant two gangplanks were needed for the dogs and that was almost a step too far – we could now only get Cassie off with great difficulty. The heavy showers which had been a feature of the days weather were increasing in frequency and intensity, always coming when we needed to be outside, like changing mooring arrangements. By the time the barbecue was due it was really wet and the event was rather spoiled. I’m afraid we cut and ran – eating our offering as quickly as possible and retiring to Ye Olde Ship Inn at the top of Old Ford Lane. We marked this pub out for future attention as the food seemed good.

Walton-on-Thames to Sutton Plce

Fist we needed water, gas and diesel, so at 8:30 we upped sticks and crossed the River for Shepperton Marina where I was lured by the 33p per litre price of diesel. Access is a bit tricky. Once in the marina proper, water is on the visitor pontoon (£1) and a turn with reversal is needed to get back to the fuel pontoon. All this took 50 minutes, so arrival at the Thames Lock River Wey was not until about 10:00. The pound lock gate was closed, so we moored up outside and I went off in search of the lock keeper who was busy seeing a boat through the main lock. He kept me busy filling out a form while he saw the boat out and then I paid my £36.80 for a weeks pass (with discount) and £15 deposit for a special Wey type windlass. Part of the documentation received was a nice explanation of the workings of the Thames lock - how it originally opened directly to the Thames, but when the Thames pound locks were built, the level in the Thames was lowered giving inadequate depth over the cill of the Wey lock. This problem was solved by fitting a gate to the pound below thus creating what was in effect a staircase pair, the curiosity being that the pound is about 50 yards long and emptying the chamber above only causes the water in the lower "chamber" to rise about 4 feet.

After reciting the Wey catechism - No cruising after sunset : open both lock gates to enter and exit : bow and stern ropes in the lock : leave gates open on exit we set off. I had forgotten how stiff the Wey paddles are, or else they have been tightened up since out last visit. They have no pawls to stop the paddles dropping and have to be wound down, they are so stiff abd without the long thrown windlass you would not have a chance. The gates are flimsier than the British Waterways ones and with large sluices (no baffles) it is easier to see why roping in the locks is essential.

The canalised section up to Pyrford is very shallow and progress very slow, but on the river sections the going is much better. In fact we noticed quite a strong flow in the river, and this was accentuated through the open flood locks. Our plan was to get within easy access to Guildford for the night and so we eventually moored up near to Sutton Place almost exactly where the boat had been moored on a previous occasion. Just as well we stopped around 18:00, for shortly after there was a heavy rain storm, which continued on and off through the night.

Supper: Smoked Trout (courtesy of David Albert) with goosberry and onion stuffing, mixed salad and new potatoes (from my allotment!)

Day's tally: 11 miles 8 locks (excl flood locks)