Water levels at Guildford dropped a bit more yesterday evening and we pushed the boat out before we went to bed so we weren’t on the wonk. By this morning we were at a slant again, and had to get even further from the bank. We had a visitor coming this morning, but we knew Godalming would be as easy for her if not easier, so we decided that as we were already awake we’d get up and get going. Consequently we were on the move before 7.45 and were soon going under the bridge I crossed yesterday.
The reason for the low water might be because someone apparently drained the pound between Weybridge Town and Thames Locks the other day, by opening the paddles at both ends. Even though this is a river, it would still eventually have an effect further upstream as the pound was refilled. The work on the weir at Millmead also means the Guildford Water Meadows stretch is already 50mm below normal.
There are some ridiculous bends on this part of the river. At one of them, I thought I was going to meet myself coming back.
The low water levels made themselves felt again when we got to St Catherine’s Lock, because we struggled to get into it. There seems to be some sort of sandbar across, and it took a lot of effort to get over it. Once in, it’s the shallowest lock on the river, and only a touch over 3ft deep.
The obstacles come thick and fast, as the railway bridge has a dangly bit in the middle which means you have to keep over to one side.
Then Broadfield Bridge is very low — not helped by the fact that the lowest bit some distance under the bridge. We had a few inches to spare, but it’s one you definitely have to duck under.
A little further on is the junction called Gun’s Mouth, where the Wey and Arun Canal used to head off towards the south coast. A Trust is working to restore the missing link, but there’s a lot of work to do. For now, this bit provides a few permanent moorings.
We did Unstead Lock, which was in our favour, but when we got to Catteshall Lock it needed turning. The lock landing is opposite Farncombe Boat House, where a couple of day boats were preparing to set off.
When we reached Godalming there were quite a few boats moored up, but our priority was the service point. We pulled in, filled the water tank, used the rubbish bins, and made use of the Elsan. When the tank was full, we moved forward a boat length to a vacant mooring. It still wasn’t even 10.30. As the tank was now full, and as John and Mark had brought us an extra fitting yesterday, I could swap out the faulty water gauge for the new one. As jobs go it was easy, taking all of about one minute. I then had a go at getting the elbow fitting off the now disused skin fitting for the loo vent, but failed. There’s not enough room in the cupboard to unscrew it, and I couldn’t find a way of cutting or breaking a bit off. I’ll keep thinking. On cue at 11, one of Adrian’s former colleagues, Thelma, arrived with her Jack Russell, Ronnie.
Macc was of course very excited to have a visitor, but Ronnie didn’t seem impressed by the puppy antics. We ended up with Macc on the well deck and Ronnie in the boat.
We had a lovely couple of hours chatting to Thelma and swapping dog stories and tips. Ronnie is now six and very well behaved. The whole morning was accompanied by the sound of kids doing paddle boarding and kayaking, as it’s right near the end of term.
By the time we said goodbye to Thelma and Ronnie, a hire boat which had been moored outside the old wharf building had left, so we decided we’d move over there as it’s a slightly nicer mooring.
After lunch, Adrian walked into town to pick up some post, and then I walked into send something. What used to be Homebase is being turned into a huge M&S Food which opens on Thursday. The town centre itself is as pretty as I remembered. Adrian used to work in Godalming a long time ago, and we sometimes used to come here for a walk along the river or lunch in town.
4 miles, 3 locks. (55 miles, 29 locks)