Wide horizons on the River Wey

Sunday, 24 July 2011 12:29

I love it - sun, river and good moorings

We left one lovely mooring (when the motorbikes weren't on track) at Crickets Hill and found another .....

The River Wey Navigations has become shallower overnight so we woke to a list. I hate listing .....

This launch would have no such problem

We moved off, backwards, as it is often the easiest way to leave when aground. Another narrowboat was arriving around the corner but we managed to get off before he arrived. It was sunny, with fluffy clouds, and the forecast bodes well for the next few days.

Manicured lawn and nice house above Worsfold Flood Gates

On the opposite side the large house also had a rather lovely garden, with stream, statues, "pet" swans and ornamental bridge.

Ornamental bridge

By now the Navigation was very shallow at the edges and we had to slow right down to prevent a breaking wave. The other narrowboat was "up our stern": another thing I do not like! When we reached Cartbridge Wharf, there was a narrowboat on the water point - no hose in sight! We were encountering weekend boaters now - after all it is a Sunday! It is the busiest it has been in the last week.

Cartbridge Wharf

We doubled up at Papercourt Lock - after waiting for two more narrowboats to come up. As our follower had a willing crew we left the lock operation to them. We hoped to moor below the lock, before we got to Newark Lock, as we knew that it was good mooring for a TV signal - another wide horizon. Success - and just in time for the F1 Grand Prix!

Towards Newark Lock from Papercourt Lock (taken on our way upstream, no sunny skies!)

However, after the GP we are off again, hoping for a mooring at The Anchor below Pyrford Lock for a treat meal out.

The Anchor pub (also taken on the way upstream)

Tomorrow we have an early start, as we have to be at Woodham Bottom Lock by 9.30am. Yes - we are going onto the Basingstoke Canal.