September 7 - 12 the River Wey

Saturday September 7 up the River Wey Shepperton to water meadows above Newark Lock

The park setting was handy for HP, quiet and closer to Shepperton village high street. We found the park busy with folk preparing for 6000 walkers to arrive in an hour for a Thames Walk event. We popped into town for a good coffee and pain chocolat.

Sunday September 8 from above Newark Lock Pyrford to meadows at Guildford

Monday September 9 Guildford to Godalming ( 4.5 miles, 3 locks)

It is a grassy, quiet and scenic mooring here with views across the cattle pasture to the old castle seated high above.

Tuesday September 10 Godalming to Guildford (5 miles, 4 locks)

We walked into Godalming to see Theresa at Ballet Hoo, and she was there! Luckily, we were able to see both her and her littlest girl, Tahlia, as well, before a big order arrived. Big sister Alexia has just started infants, so all parents know how busy life is at this stage. After coffee in a dog-friendly cafe, we set off to the nearby services, then on downriver to the first lock, Cattershall, at Farncombe, which was set against us. Liana walked with HP to Unstead Lock and St Catherine's Lock, enjoying the sun. We all cruised to Guildford after this, passing our previous mooring place and noticing the white chalk cliffs beyond the cattle pasture.

We passed through Millmead Lock and moored just after, by the White House pub, as there was a small park for Honeypie, with cute statues of Alice and the White Rabbit. The land was level with Annie's roof though, so we had to lift HP up and down. Friend Michele arrived, and we ate at the nearby George Abbot (once Archbishop of Canterbury about 1600) pub, which was cheaper, had very helpful staff and provided good pies. We had a good chat and catchup session.

Wednesday September 11 from the Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Guildford to the Anchor Inn at Pyrford

Windy, but the sun shone through the fast moving black clouds. We had a walk into Guildford and admired the old buildings and upmarket shops in the High Street. There were loads of estate agents selling one bed flats for lots. There wasn't much choice for coffee shops, so we went back to the boat for a Danish pastry and coffee. Reaching Dapdune Wharf, we had to search for the National Trust Office, which we found in a house down the road! We paid for extending the license from three days to a week, with 10% reduction for being NT members. The Wey was quiet, but we met two oncoming boats at Stoke Lock, and had a pleasant chat.

Thursday September 12 Pyrford to Shepperton