!4th April 2007
We left the New Inn about 0830hrs intending to reach the Thames. The River Wey is actually not used much it is mostly the Wey navigation a very tranquil and rural waterway, much of it very scenic. Newark lock gives a view to the ruins of Newark Abbey.
We were lucky to have another Guildford boat with us easing the labour at the locks, they were Germans on a short break and never been on a boat before, but they made a reasonable job of it and were friendly and sociable which made for a pleasant cruise.
I think it was about 9 locks to Thames Lock and as most were set for us we made good time arriving at about 1300hrs. We thought it a very pretty lock and the lock keeper had a female with him who did most of the work.
We entered the Thames and straight into Shepperton Lock with a couple of plastic palaces, the keeper took the head rope from hazel so all was well. Moored before Chertsey for a cuppa and a sarnie. Set off about 1400hrs I wanted to clear Bell Wier Lock as I had a nice pub in mind for the evening. Plenty of elbow room on the river so it was time for Hazel to earn her steering ticket. very well she did too.
We cleared Bell Wier about 1600hrs and moored for a flying visit to Sainsburys in Staines, about a mile and a half walk which was pleasant and stretched the legs. Then on through Runnymede to the Bells of Ousely, a pleasant pub from my past. Alas no more it is now a Harvester and the food was awful. i had fish and chips and they swam in grease. Now removed from the list of favourite hostelries. We were still enjoying it all though and the weather remained superb, tomorrow to Windsor and beyond
Met someone from Runnymede on Wednesday. He is knocking the bump out of the side of my Volvo ... in New Zealand!
We have all been hanging our noses over the lovely pictures of Locks. The kids spent many a happy hour trying to fall into their Grandma's village canal in Oxfordshire and it is very nostalgic.