Weybridge

Navigations Today : River Thames, Wey Navigation

Before leaving, Mike made a quick foray to the nearby shops (actually about ten minutes walk away) principally for a paper and some milk but he also found the German baker that we had been told about by the lock keeper. Spoilt for choice Mike eventually opted for an 8 seed wheat and rye mix loaf as well as a blueberry custard slice.

Mike also took a short walk over the footbridges - just to take some photos. he was amused by the Teddington Harbour label. Just how small our boat looks in comparison with the other river users.

The large boat which was moored, probably fairly permanently, just behind where we stayed overnight, offers a range of 'environmental activities' and were expecting a large group of 4 and 5 year olds. The lower deck is kitted out as a classroom or activity centre. Unfortunately quite early it started its engine and turned its propellor (not very environmentally friendly!) but the main problem became apparent as soon as Mike cast off the stern rope and Christine was about to untie at the front - which is the normal sequence when going upstream. The force of the stream from the propellor very quickly forced the stern away from the back and it was all that the engine could do to prevent the boat doing an about turn. Christine asked them to turn off their engine for a minute or so and then we were able easily to bring the boat back alongside and to depart in the normal way!

The weather was not exceptional but, apart from a very brief attempt to rain late morning - hardly wet at all - it remained dry and not uncomfortably cold. At first there was plenty of blue sky but later in the day there was more cloud but still some brighter spells in between showed just how warm the sun could be.

Recent new bylaws have been created by the local council for this part of the river in an attempt to control (short for remove) some of the boats which had taken up permanent residence on what are now supposed to be visitor moorings. We saw plenty of new restricted Mooring signs. Looks as if this hamlet has still to work out what they are going to do!

Other unconventional boats seem to be still welcome - this one is used as office accommodation.

We stopped at Thames Ditton Marina to fill up with diesel - the fuel station is between the last two boats on the left of the photo and we just fitted in. Everything around here is expensive - including fuel but we did not know how many facilities there will be once we leave the Thames.

Two locks on the Thames today and both were on self service. Not surprising since we only passed three boats on the move today. We had a brief pause above the first, Molesey, to use the sani station and refuse bins.

Just below Hampton some darker clouds began to gather.

Hampton Church, the Bell Inn and the ferry all close together on the bank side - no doubt in the past this was quite a busy place.

Shortly before Sunbury lock we picked up rubbish around the prop - we planned to stop on the visitor mooring below the lock (it was permanently occupied) but this gave us an excuse to stay here for lunch, as well as giving Mike the chance to delve down the weed hatch. The water might have been clear so that he could easily see what was tangled around the prop - just as well as the water was so cold he could only dip his hand in for a couple of seconds and pull off a piece at a time. Fortunately it did not need cutting.

There are actually two locks here but only one is mechanised. Not sure when the other is used but it seems to be in working order.

St George's College Boat Club was busy with plenty of youngsters taking to the water. From here up to the new bridge at Walton we had to keep a good eye out for those with less road sense than others.

Finger trouble with the camera meant that we nearly did not snap this boat - but its name amused so we had to keep it in the blog: Ohm From Home!

At Weybridge Junction we turned left rather than straight ahead up Shepperton Lock and the rest of the Thames. It is a complex junction: downstream the channel divides immediately into the old line of the river and the straight Desborough Cut. At the island between the two stands D'Oyly carte island where the famous producer of the G&S operettas once created this fantasy building. It seems that he hoped to turn it into an exclusive annexe to his more famous Savoy Hotel but could not get a licence to sell alcohol!

Immediately after the turn there at four options, although one is easily discounted as it houses the lock weir. The National Trust sign to the Wey navigation is ambiguous and we started the wrong way (up to a marina) - none of them looks as large as another channel which is not the way to anything!

The 'right' way is the least likely looking and for a few hundred metres winds its way through overhanging trees until the pound lock gate comes into view. We pulled in to the waiting area so that we could go and see the lock keeper. As our first visitors today, she was quite happy to see us and took much care to see us through. The navigation is one of the oldest still in use, almost a century older than most of the canals.

The lock has two very shallow cills below the lock. Although we just scraped over the first the second sound a bit too much. We then had to wait as the keeper went down to shut the single pound lock gate and then run some water down through the lock to raise the level just a couple of inches to let us over.

Immediately above the lock we pulled in for the night. After tying up we walked into Weybridge town centre - Mike wanted to buy a couple of missing OS maps (OH dear, he must have had his mind on other things as he normally makes sure we have the right ones before starting the trip - they come much less expensive from our favourite mail order supplier, especially as they are based in Cornwall) Christine also wanted to look for a proper carving dish so that meat juices do not run everywhere on roast nights!

The high street seems to have no larger shops - all very individual although plenty of them are now eating places or coffee shops.

We were amused that The Old Rectory is now the offices for a firm of tax consultants!

11 miles - 4 locks