A grey day, but still some pretty sights on the River Wey

Monday, 18 July 2011 17:51

I think we have chosen the wrong week to explore the River Wey Navigations. We left the good weather back on the Thames. However, we are enjoying it so far and there is plenty so see as we cruise upstream.

Narrowboat at Black Boy Footbridge

This was our view last night; today, we only passed four boats on the go - this is a much quieter waterway ....

We have done four locks today (five, if we count a flood lock), all different with different features. We have found that it is best to take the mid rope and the bow rope around lock bollards, as this steadies the boat; otherwise, opening the paddles (even slowly) causes Epiphany to surge forward.

Coxes Lock and Mill

Coxes Lock has a large mill beside it - now converted into dwellings, with some interesting additions. The strong weir beside it meant "increase throttle" as I went in, as speed is necessary to counteract the current.

Mill dwellings

Many of the bridges are pretty low and we have to duck down. The one at New Haw Lock is so close to the bottom gates that they have unusual lock beams.

Entering New Haw Lock

John closing the bottom gates

Soon after this lock we could hear the hum and then roar of the M25. It crosses the Navigations, decorated by graffiti. Next time we travel this section of this horrid motorway I must remember the tranquil waterway underneath.

Narrowboats meet under the M25

The Basingstoke Canal leaves at Woodham Junction to climb the Woodham Lock Flight of six locks. There are four bridges here - the M25, a covered pipe bridge and beyond Woodham Footbridge and Railway Bridge. The "Bassy" looks very green and sylvan....but that's next week's new experience.

Basingstoke Canal

Parvis Wharf is home to Byfleet Boat Club and the TLC Boatyard. Rowing boats can be hired from the former and gas, chandlery and repairs at the other.  The Anchor pub is just before Pyrford Lock and we filled up with water in the lock (as no other boats could be seen).

Above the lock is Pyrford Place and beyond this the riverside house where John Donne (poet and Dean of St Paul's) lived from 1600 to 1604 - quite a controversial character of the early C17th.

John Donne's riverside home

Walsham Flood Lock is a turf sided lock, only in use when the Navigations are in flood. The gates were open (thank goodness!) and we cruised through, past the Lock Cottage and unusual paddle gear and balance beams. Lovely.

Walsham Flood Lock

Now we felt as if we were on a river - it was lovely as it wound its way to Newark Lock. The meadows beside the river needed sunshine to make them perfect, but the flowers in the hedgerows gave a little colour.

River above Walsham

So we came to Newark Lock and the ruined Abbey (or Priory) beside it. Here some passing walkers complimented us on our lovely boat - only one of many comments we have had recently, it must be the marigolds in my planters!

Newark Abbey ruins

Above are more meadows - an ideal mooring - and just before the rain arrived. The only company we have is a herd of curious cows and the rain as it beats down on the roof.

River Wey Navigations, Black Boy Footbridge to above Newark Lock
3 hours 50 minutes, 5.86 miles, 5 locks