We would never normally choose to moor so close to such busy roads, but in fact it was fine — not least because it turned out the A3 was closed overnight. During the evening we saw signs being put out and then all the traffic stopped. It made the A25 busier because that was the diversion; we certainly noticed when the road was open again. We took Macc back to the groomer for 9am and he was very excited to be back, so much so that he wasn’t bothered about us leaving at all. We went for a coffee and tea at a cafe down the road and went back after an hour. He was still sitting very nicely on the table while the groomer finished him off; now with his face done he really did look different.
We came back to the boat at got under way, a bit before 10.30. After the A25 bridge is a very tall railway bridge. This is the line that goes to London the slow way, via Clandon.
We pulled in at the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf. All the moorings had signs saying they were reserved for steam boats from today until Sunday, and there were already a couple of little boats there. But they didn’t mind us stopping to top up the water tank, get rid of rubbish and recycling, and do the loo. Some of the steam guys were also very keen to find out more about our hybrid system, especially one owner who converted his boat from steam to electric. We set off again and headed through Guildford, where there are new and old bridges, and buildings from various eras.
The entrance to Millmead Lock Cut is the least promising looking of the options there, but there’s a rather small sign pointing the way. The lock needed turning before we could go up. This is actually the first lock on the Godalmimg Navigation, and is about 100 years later than the ones on the River Wey between the Thames and Guildford. Above the lock there’s a lot of work going on to a weir, with a massive crane that can lift things over the river.
There are then two very smart pubs right next to each other. This is the second one.
We were after a mooring on the water meadows, which can be a popular spot.
There was one boat on the towpath side but the meadows themselves were empty. We pulled in at the first shady spot but the stern was a way out so I had a look round the corner and found it clear. We picked a shady spot — although by mid afternoon the sun had come around.
This afternoon we have taken all the portholes out and cleaned the glass. The whole boat needs a wash as it’s so dusty, but it’s too hot for that sort of activity. And in spite of there being half a mile of moorings, a boat has come and moored just a few feet in front of us. Adrian has now headed off to London to meet his cousin, Fiona. When she and her family visited us in Paddington it emerged that she was given tickets to see ABBA Voyage and was intending to go with her daughter. But she was now otherwise occupied, so Adrian has gone instead. Macc and I are just trying to stay cool; at least he has more chance now all his excess fur has gone.
Finally, the latest Water Road podcast is out. This one is about Braunston, and you can listen to it here.
1 mile, 1 lock. (51 miles, 26 locks)