Another sunny day, and we had a couple of boats come past as we were thinking of setting off; it was two of those who did Brentford to Teddington with us on Saturday. When we got going, we went only as far as the water point Dona Ferens located yesterday, on the offside under the M25. It was a pretty slow tap though, so we didn’t get the tank full but at least we replaced what the washing machine had just used. Then we got under way again, passing under the motorway.
So now we’re back outside the M25 again — we’ve be inside the circle since 19 June! Immediately beyond is Woodham Junction, where the Basingstoke Canal goes off to the right. Dona Ferens headed up there today; you have to book and be met by a ranger who seals up the locks after you to try to keep as much water in the canal as possible. The bridge we went under is the main London to Portsmouth railway line, and I used to look out for the junction and any boats every time I passed on the way to or from work.
House of the Day was passed a bit later. As lovely as it is, though, it still has the noise of the M25 to contend with.
It’s just as well we decided to stay where we were yesterday, because the other option was the moorings before Byfleet Boat Club and it turned out they were being rebuilt. Beyond the bridge there is a busy little boat yard.
The two boats that came past earlier were moored before Pyrford Marina, within easy reach of the Anchor pub. The pub itself was quite busy for 11am, with people having breakfast or coffee and cake.
Next to the pub is Pyrford Lock, a shallow one at just 4ft 6in.
Above the lock is a long line of moorings, and then John Donne’s house. It’s not open to the public, so seeing it from the river or the towpath is the only way.
The next lock isn’t really a lock. Waltham Gates are only closed in times of flood, so normally you can just go straight through. It’s technically the last turf-sided lock on the river.
We were now looking for a spot to moor, and as a boat was just about to leave we hung around until he’d set off and then tried to get in. It wasn’t deep enough for us though, and in the process we got thoroughly grounded. It took quite an effort to get free, and when we did we moved to another space just around the corner. However, as we got the stern in, the rudder hit a rock or something under the water and jumped out of the cup. We got moored up (with the stern a long way out but the bow nice and close in) and then sorted it out. Both of us lifted the tiller and with a bit of trial and error, the rudder popped back in, which was a great relief. The good thing is that this is a lovely mooring.
After lunch, I took Macc for a walk back to the Gates to have a closer look. He constantly resists our effort to get him to drink more water, but was determined to drink the river water. He was still on his lead, so it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d slipped in.
Behind the lock cottage is Ripley Weir, with the towpath going over it. There’s an awful lot of water coming down.
The whole area round the lock and the cottage is very pretty.
4 miles, 1 lock. (42 miles, 20 locks)