The last shall be first on the Stort Navigation

Saturday, 10 September 2011 11:57

Turn around, go back down, back the way you came...

This crane is near Causeway Bridge in Bishops Stortford

We shall be disorientated for a while now as .......

we are now travelling downstream on the Stort Navigation. Before leaving Bishops Stortford, we stopped at the sani-station immediately below Station Road Bridge.

Bishops Stortford sani-station (on our way up)

This new development rather reminded me of some barracks - they are by the really large metal footbridge I mentioned in my last blog.

Barracks-like apartments

Here is the footbridge, in all its glory!

So here is the last - now become the first. Southmill Lock (1), variously named Sow and Thorley Lock in its time, also once a turf lock, was one of the last to be rebuilt on the Navigation.

Waiting above Southmill Lock

The present lock cottage, below, was built in the mid 1970s

Twyford Mill Lock, once the site of a mill mentioned in the Domesday Book, was still set for us. By 1900 the mill was producing animal feed. Millers had a right to take tolls from those passing through the locks adjoining their mills. In 1909, when the Lee Conservancy Board were negotiating to take over the Stort, they sought to eliminate the tolls.

Approaching Twyford Mill Lock

The Board also wanted to change the drop of the water levels in the pounds to a consistent 12" as boats travelled through all their locks. The millers naturally stuck out for the status quo of 9" which gave them a higher flow for their waterwheels. They were called "obdurate" and agreement was finally reached after two years.

Twyford Mill Lock from above

The mill at Twyford finally closed in the late 1940s and the mill was made into a residence. The head stream for the mill still exists (on the right behind the pontoon) and is used for moorings.  

We moored up in practically the same place as we had on the way up - hence the reference to being disorientated. We both take a while to adjust to having the towpath on the opposite side - no getting off in the dark, we hope.

Moored below Matchstick Footbridge

Looking ahead, downstream

The big question now is - what is the weather going to do? Monday looks horrible so maybe another lay-over is called for?

Stort Navigation, Bishops Stortford to Matchstick Footbridge,
1 hour 50 minutes, 1.86 miles, 2 locks