Andrew Comes to Visit.

 Wednesday 30th June 2021 in Guildford.

At least a year ago, M had invited Andrew (an old friend from M's choir) to join us on board for a day - and today was the day (at last)!

M went to meet Andrew off the train while R moved MM down to Millmead Lock. After a cuppa, we set off through Millmead Lock (Andrew's first ever experience of a lock) and cruised up to Dapdune Wharf to turn and fill up with water. We went back through Millmead and carried on south. Andrew tried his hand at the tiller and soon got the hang of it..

 Because you have to swing the tiller left to go right and swing the tiller right to go left, it is not intuitive. Also, if left to her own devices, MM will wander off in either direction (she IS a woman, after all!), so steering requires a lot of concentration. Andrew did extremely well. He did confess to being a little apprehensive! We went through St Catherine's Lock, turned at Gun's Mouth and moored up just above St Catherine's for some lunch.

M finally managed to get a photo of the Reigate to Guildford train as it passed St Catherine's Lock, with Andrew in the foreground.

M took this photo just because it shows the meadowsweet just coming into bloom but it also turned out to be a lovely photo of this beautiful river.

Before we left St Catherine's Lock, M photographed R and Andrew.

Back in Guildford, R walked Andrew back to the railway station. It was a real pleasure to have him with us. He was great company and took a real interest in all that we did. We hope very much that he may join us again soon for another day out.

Today: 5 miles, 4 locks and 8.4 hours (including power for three days)

Trip: 246 miles, 124 locks and 115.9 hours.