Wey hoo, the summer is back

Friday, 22 July 2011 16:21

The sunny day today really showed the River Wey Navigations at their best.

Gongoozlers at Millmead Lock, Guildford

We left the Godalming Navigation as we went down Millmead Lock ......

Cruising downstream under the Guildford bridges reminded me that I had said it would be a good day today - we had explored Guildford in the rain yesterday. Photo album to come.

St Nicholas Church and Town Bridge

Guildford Bridges - Friary Bridge (upstream view), Onslow Bridge, Walnut bridge

We passed all tne light industry - it was here we called in for our new battery at "Manbat" who supplied it under guarantee and carried it to us, taking back the very dud one. It is not often that you can moor so handily.

Moored for battery on the way upstream

Woodbridge Meadow, on the outskirts of Guildford is full of wooden sculptures. Some of them are visible from the Navigation and it would make a nice walk, if time was on our side. Once a meadow known as Lees Meadow, on the edge of the Forest of Windsor which was created by Henry II in 1154, it was part of royal parkland until the 1620s, but then became an isolated piece of land.

Entrance to Woodbride Meadow and walk

Sadly, many of the mature trees were cut down in 2008, with the idea of restoring it to a meadow. The Tree Pirates (wonderful name and great website) have created many wooden sculptures - rescuing what gradually became wasteland. I love the sense of humour in some of the sculptures.

Boat, with passenger

Stag

We have seen some "living" sculptures too. I even saw our first Kingfisher on the Wey do a fly past.

Cow wallowing, perhaps they need a hair cut!

We have seen more walkers than boaters today, obviously the sun has brought them out. Maybe all the boaters from the Wey are on holiday and the hirers and boats escaping from the busy Thames have not arrived yet?

These cows and calves on the path were enjoying themselves too

This was the river below Broad Oak Bridge - a bridge, followed by a sharp left hand bend.

River scene as we rounded the bend

Many of the bends have rope rollers on them for the tow ropes of the large Wey barges that plied the Navigation. There is a restored barge at Dapdune Wharf where they were built.

We were making for a mooring below Triggs Lock. I was hoping it was free and as we rounded the bend I could see that it was, perfect.

Moored at Crickets Hill

Although there is a footpath to Send Village, we won't be exploring. I need a rest! Our only neighbours are goats in the field ahead of us.

So who are you?

What a view from the front!

River Wey Navigations, Shalford Meadow Guildford to Crickets Hill, Worlsford
2 hours 46 minutes, 6.38 miles, 4 locks