To Pyrford Marina for a few Days

Monday 31^st October, 2011

Started off at 7:30 heading north. Stopped for a brief breakfast at Bower’s Lock as another narrowboat was coming up the lock. Arrived at Pyrford Marina, where we had lunch and took on water and replaced our empty gas bottle with a full one (Kingsground had given us one full and one empty bottle). Went into the Chandlery and bought three mooring stakes with hooks and a third ‘armco’ hook (£60.70 including the gas). Also paid for three nights mooring (£60). Moved MM to her mooring, backing her into the slot. She does go backwards well!

Chris came down in her car and picked us up to take us home.

9 miles and 8 locks – 4.3 hours

Total 153 miles and 84 locks – 80.4 hours

Pam and Trevor Visit and Goodbye to Guildford

Sunday 30^th October, 2011

Gentle start to the day, weather rather grey and with an extra hour in bed due to the end of British Summer Time we had a relaxing morning. At about 11:00am we sailed into Guildford, winded and moored up upstream of Millmead lock. Then we went shopping in Guildford for supplies including a new shower head with a broader spray pattern.

Just after mid-day Pam and Trevor arrived from Aylesbury and after tea and coffee we sailed down to Guns Mouth where we winded and then returned through St Catherine’s Lock to the water meadows where we moored up for lunch. Lunch was a bit later than planned and went on a bit (delicious!) - so it was after 4:00pm when we set off for the centre of Guildford. We went through Millmead lock for the last time and then dropped Pam and Trevor off before continuing as far as Dapdune, where we moored up for the night as it was getting dark. Plenty of activity still going on there as they had organised a ‘ghost night walk’ for the children, which was very well attended.

5 miles and 3 locks – 2.7 hours

Total 144 miles and 76 locks – 76.1 hours

Adrian and the Boys Visit

Saturday 29^th October, 2011

Fairly early start and then sailed down to Millmead lock to wait for Adrian and the boys. They were due any time after 10:00 but actually arrived at nearly mid-day. After they arrived we went through the lock and up to Dapdune wharf where we moored and took on water while Adrian and the boys looked around. Met a lovely old gentleman in the Gunpowder house – an old seaman who had done all sorts of fantastic knots. Marion bought a beautiful coaster that fits the coffee pot perfectly. We then sailed on up to Stoke bridge where we winded and then went down through Guildford, up through Millmead lock and moored up for a late lunch at the water meadows.

After the main course (paella, lasagne, sweet-corn, chips and extra potatoes) we went on to St Catherine’s lock, winded and returned to the water meadows for dessert. When it got dark we walked Adrian and the boys back to Millbrook car park.

We returned to MM, cleared up and had an early night – although tonight we have an extra hour of sleep as the clocks go back.

6 miles and 2 locks – 3.0 hours

Total 139 miles and 73 locks – 73.4

A Kingsground Day!

Friday 28^th October, 2011

Got ready to sail down to Millmead lock when we were passed by a working boat and butty. It’s a coal selling pair run by a charitable trust. The lead boat was Nuneaton and the butty was Brighton. We followed them down to the lock where they paired up to go through – but there was a narrowboat coming up the lock so they had to back away to let them out. Nice to see a proper working pair. They had come down the Oxford and the Thames just before us, but had gone briefly down the Kennet and Avon, which is why we didn’t see them on the Thames. They were on their way back up to the Thames and then onto the Grand Union to finish the season.

We went through the lock after them and down to Dapdown wharf, where Simon arrived to do the first service on MM. He spent the morning with us – it was so nice to see to see him – another “Kingsground” Friday! We had bought biscuits and buns as we thought that John would be there too, so we have quite a few left over!

The service went well except that there is something not right with the stern gland that needs to be investigated.

2  miles and 2 locks – 1.6 hours

Total 133 and 71 locks – 70.4 hours

A Visit from Chris

Thursday 27^th October, 2011

Picked up Marion’s friend Chris at Millmead in the morning and sailed up to Gun’s mouth where we winded. We stopped at St Catherine’s lock for lunch and then sailed back to the water meadow mooring. Chris and Marion went off to the train station to go back home. Marion wanted to check the house and pick up the mail. I took a later train and met Marion at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill where we watched Oliver performed by Reigate and Redhill Opera Club – it was an excellent show with some extremely good performances. We caught the 10:30 train back to Guildford and MM.

5 miles and 4 locks – 3.0 hours

Total 131 miles and 69 locks – 68.8 hours

A Lazy, Rainy Day

Wednesday 26^th October, 2011

A lazy day that started with torrential rain that looked to be set in for the day. The Kingsground team was supposed to come down today to do the first service and to bring the missing items such as the mirrors, vent surrounds and shower door. However, when Robin phoned Tiffany on Tuesday evening she said that they couldn’t make it.

Wrote up the skeleton of this log on the laptop.

Sailed to St. Catherine’s lock when the sun came out in the afternoon. Winded there and came back to the water meadow moorings facing into town ready for tomorrow morning. As we were mooring the rain returned with a strong wind that blew MM away from the bank. With her high straight sides and small draught she is easily taken by a strong wind and difficult to hold! One of the rowing coaches from the Guildford Rowing Club just along the river was passing and helped us get her back to the bank and moored her successfully.

Walked into Guildford to do some shopping at M&S. The rain returned again as we were returning so we took refuge until it eased off a bit.

2 miles and 0 locks – 3.0 hours (2.0 to charge the batteries and run the washer/dryer).

Total 126 miles and 65 locks – 65.8 hours

Kerry, Phil and Family Visit

Tuesday 25^th October, 2011

Sailed into Guildford and winded above Millmead lock waiting for Kerry, Phil, Ben, Sam, Jo and Phil’s parents Ken and Megan. They arrived at about 11:00am by train from Reigate. We sailed down the Wey to the Manor Inn just before Trowers Footbridge where we moored up for lunch.

After lunch we winded at Farncombe Boat House (difficult as there were boats parked in the winding hole) and started to sail back. At St Catherine’s lock on the way back the heavens opened and it poured with rain. The first real rain that we have had during the day since we set off. Robin on the tiller got very wet, Ben and Phil were helping with the lock and so got wet too. Ben was brilliant and managed to open and close the gates largely on his own! The rain soon stopped and we sailed back to Millmead where we winded and dropped them off.

We then returned to the water meadow to moor for the night.

7 miles and 4 locks – 4.2 hours

Total 124 miles and 65 locks – 62.8 hours

Godalming and Back

Monday 24^th October, 2011

Late breakfast and then sailed down to Godalming – the southernmost point on the canal network. Stopped at Farncome Boathouse and filled up with diesel. 143 litres (£185.90) at 56.3 hours – so we have averaged 2.5 litres per hour. Went on to Godalming where we took on water, had lunch and went shopping in Waitrose.

Sailed back to the moorings at Guildford water meadow.

8 miles and 6 locks – 5.1 hours

Total 117 miles and 61 locks – 58.6 hours

Party Day 2

Sunday 23^rd October, 2011

Up and breakfasted in time for a 9:00am departure. Winded at the wide turn at the end of the water meadows and then again under the Friary Bridge (with about 18in to spare!). Moored up at the Town Wharf at 10:00am.

Over a wonderful day all forty people that we expected arrived. As on Saturday the sun shone and the party in the White House was a great success. Not a lot of food was left at the end. We did take doggy bags of sausage rolls and chicken wings back to MM. Sandie and Pete arrived about 4:00pm along with Sue from Utopians – so we took them with us back to the mooring where they stopped and chatted for a while.

2 miles and 2 locks – 2.5 hours

Total 109 miles and 55 locks – 53.5 hours

Party Day 1

Saturday 22^nd October, 2011

Early breakfast, leaving at 9:30 to go through Guildford and wind at Dapdune Wharf, looking for other winding places. Arrived at the Town Wharf steps opposite the White House at 10:05. Spent a while making sure that MM was securely moored up with the stern close in to the steps. Sat and had a coffee while waiting for the first people to arrive. Grant, Katie and the children were first, arriving after 11:30!

In due course all 25 people that we expected duly arrived. The buffet in the White House went well and everyone seemed to get on well. There seemed to be a lot of food left over. By 4:00pm everyone had gone and we sailed back to the Water Meadow mooring for the night. Talked to Mary at the White House and suggested the buffet lunch should start later on Sunday at 1:00pm instead of mid-day.

2 miles and 2 locks – 2.5 hours

Total 107 miles and 53 locks – 51.0 hours

A Gentle Day Exploring the Wey and Arun

Friday 21^st October, 2011

Nice gentle day. Went on down the Wey to see where the Winding points were. There were several places where winding was possible. Just before St Catherines lock we winded and came back to the Guildford water meadow mooring – but this time pointing into Guildford. Spent the day making sure that MM was looking her best inside and out.

2 miles and 0 locks – 2.3 hours

Total 105 miles and 51 locks – 48.5 hours

A Housekeeping Day

Thursday 20^th October, 2011

After a leisurely breakfast, Marion caught the No 32 bus back to Reigate.

Robin worked to clean up MM ready for the parties at the weekend. Including touching up the green paintwork where MM had a few scrapes from the locks and generally cleaning her outside. Also dried out the bilge, which had accumulated a pint or two of water.

Went into Guildford to confirm the arrangements for the weekend at the White House and to search out the best mooring. There are steps leading down from the Town Wharf that are used in the summer by a Guildford Boathouse trip boat. Went to Guildford Boathouse to check that we could use it over the weekend.

In the evening Marion came back on the bus and we went to Wagamama in Guildford for supper.

Ran the engine for 2 hours to charge the batteries.

Total 46.2 hours

Guildford at Last!

Wednesday 19^th October, 2011

More leisurely start in the morning. We stopped at Dapdune Wharf on the outskirts of Guildford and took on water.

We arrived and moored up outside the White House in the middle of Guildford at 3:30pm after 43.7 hours cruising just one week and one and a half hours after starting from Enslow.

We went shopping in Guildford at Robert Dyas and M&S.

We continued on to the water meadows just south of Guildford town centre where we moored up for the night.

5 miles and 5 locks – 4.6 hours

Total 103 miles and 51 locks – 44.2 hours

To the New Inn at Carterbridge

Tuesday 18^th October, 2011

In the morning we had breakfast while waiting for Jackie and Mick to join us. After some difficulty parking their car we set off together.

Opposite the Pyrford Marina we stopped for lunch.

As the locks on the Wey and Arun are broad locks and the gate paddles are very aggressive, it was very nice to have extra help through the locks while we got used to them and how they work best.

At Carterbridge opposite the New Inn we moored for the night and dropped off Jackie and Mick. Jackie’s brother John picked them up and drove them back to their car.

7 miles and 6 locks – 4.5 hours

Total 98 miles and 46 locks – 39.6 hours

Onto the Wey and Arun Canal

Monday 17^th October, 2011

A very pretty morning with the moon still high in the sky.  After an early start, we went through Eton and Windsor.  Our breakfast stop was by Windsor Home Park with a view of the castle for breakfast. The Royal Standard was flying, so we assumed HM was in residence and we expected Her to open a window and call out “Nice boat! Can the corgies and I come for a ride?”  However, she didn’t; she must have been washing Her Hair or something………….

At Penton Hook Lock, we stopped for lunch. As we approached the lock at 1:00pm, the lock switched  to “self-service” and the lock-keeper left for his lunch. He had been kind enough to close the top gates and open the top sluices for us before he left to fill the lock. It seemed to take a long time for the lock to fill – until Robin realised that the keeper had left one of the bottom sluices open as well!!

We continued down the Thames to Shepperton Lock, where we turned off onto the River Wey.  Here we parted company with nb “Strathmore”, who had been our companion off and on over the past few days.

The entrance to the Wey is an extremely tight right-hand turn; you almost have to double-back on yourself.  This is followed immediately by a stop-lock and a very deep, intimidating 8ft 6in lock, fortunately operated by a lock-keeper. As we draw 2ft draught, he had to flood the stop lock to raise the level by a foot so that we could get into the main lock. All this was watched with great interest by two delightful, eccentric characters (see photo above).  There was a boat coming down the lock and they warned us that the Wey and Arun locks going up are very aggressive, with strong currents generated by the gate paddles. This indeed we found to be the case so when going up we very carefully only opened the paddles a few inches at first. In fact there was another lock almost immediately with another very sharp right-hand turn; this one was unmanned, so we took our time.

The Wey and Arun Navigation is owned by the National Trust so we had to pay a separate licence (£98 for 21 days). The lock-keeper also lent us a special paddle key which was slightly longer than normal. We moored up for the night outside the Pelican Pub at Coxes Mill just past Weybridge.  Robin popped in for a glass of wine “Just to be sociable”!

16 miles and 10 locks – 7.2 hours

Total 91 miles and 40 locks – 35.1 hours

On to Windsor

Sunday 16^th October, 2011

After the lovely clear skies of the previous evening, we awoke to a very foggy morning.  There were many rowers on the river and Robin, who could only see about two boat-lengths through the fog, had to take care not to run them down.  He proceeded very slowly with the navigation and tunnel lights on. The rowers were much faster than us and we kept well into the side.

At Hurley lock we had breakfast and took on water. After five days the tank guage still showed 3/8ths full, so it has lasted very well.

After Cookham, we had a wonderful view back to Cliveden House on the hill above the river (see right hand photo above). We stopped for lunch just before Maidenhead and Boulter’s Lock. It seems that we moored up with the stern blocking the entrance to a wasps’ nest, as there were hundreds of wasps swarming around the stern. After lunch, when we moved MM forwards a few yards and emerged very cautiously, they left us alone.

At Dorney Reach, just past the M4 bridge, we moored up and Matt, Vicki and new baby Thomas joined us for tea.

We moored for the night opposite the entrance to the Windsor Race Course Yacht Basin on public moorings next to the Army Rowing Club.  That evening, we learned not to leave the windows open after dark when the lights are on – we suffered an invasion of bugs!

18 miles and 7 locks – 6.4 hours

Total 75 miles and 30 locks – 27.9 hours

Through Reading to Henley

Saturday 15^th October, 2011

We awoke to one of those beautiful misty mornings which Robin has occasionally experienced when working at Capture.  The moon was still high in the sky above the mist and, as the mist cleared to give a perfect autumn day, the moon was reflected in the water.  Our narrowboating adventures have taught us that that sunrise and sunset are magical times on the waterways.

We treated ourselves to breakfast at Pierreponts in the village; you have to book, even for breakfast on a Saturday morning!  After two boiled eggs with Marmite soldiers (each!) and copious amounts of good coffee, we made our contented way back to MM and cast off.  The journey down towards Reading was beautiful.

We stopped at Tesco’s own mooring just past Reading, where we went shopping; it was so huge that it took ages to find anything!  We had lunch on board and, as it was a particularly bright and sunny day, Marion took lots of lovely pictures of the inside of MM.   We continued on to Henley, where we spent some time trying to moor up, as the moorings were quite shallow. It took three attempts to find a mooring where we could get MM right to the riverside – and the EA charged us £6:50 for the privilege of mooring in Henley – but then, it is very posh!!!!  Unfortunately, it took us so long to find a mooring that we were too late for Felicity’s choir’s performance of “The Creation”, a great disappointment as it is one of Marion’s favourites.  The sunset was beautiful.

19 miles and 6 locks – 5.5 hours

Total 57 miles and 23 locks – 21.5 hours

On to Goring-on-Thames

Friday 14^th October, 2011

An early start again. Culham Lock, on “self-service” (i.e. too early for the lock-keeper), showed only one red light (to show the sluices were closed) and none of the controls would work.  Robin called the EA number shown on the instructions; they took a message and said they would get back to him. By the time they did get back, the lock-keeper had arrived. He switched from ‘Public Power’ to their own power and opened the lock for us.

We moored just before Shillingford Bridge where we had breakfast (at 11:30).

We stopped just after Cleeve Lock, where we had lunch (and had been through with Penny and Harry that day on “Queen of Hearts”).  Lunch was some great prawns with a spicy chilli and ginger sauce. “Delicious” quoth Robin!!

We continued on to Goring where we moored up for the evening at 4:00pm. We walked into the village, found some twine for our crystals in the gift shop, then went into the Capture office and invited everyone to come down to the boat after work. Between 5:30 and 6:30, several did come and visit including Alison with her two sons, the elder with his short ‘trick’ canoe doing all sorts of acrobatics in the water to entertain us!  It was a lovely balmy evening for late October and we all shared a bottle of wine on the towpath – not enough room for us all to be on board at the same time!  We had an absolutely super evening when Abbie and Dave came to dinner, our first-ever dinner guests.

17 miles and 6 locks – 6.5 hours

Total 38 miles and 17 locks – 16.0 hours

Through Oxford and onto the Thames

Thursday 13^th October, 2011

We started early, continuing down the Oxford Canal to Duke’s Cut where we joined the River Thames. Scary! At King’s Lock, we bought the obligatory 21 day EA (Environmental Agency) licence for the Thames (£120). Just past Godstow Lock we stopped for breakfast, then continued down to Sandford Lock where we had lunch.  Marion had been nervous about the lock-keepers on the Thames, imagining them all to be fierce and grumpy; in fact they were all charming, very friendly and a veritable fount of knowledge.

Just before Abingdon, we rang Penny and Harry, our friends whom we had met some three years before at a chance meeting at the “Beetle and Wedge” at Moulsford;  they had ended up giving us a lift back to Goring on the narrowboat they were using that day (the much-loved “Queen of Hearts”). We moored up just south of Abingdon Bridge where Penny and Harry joined us for tea. They both came from work; Harry arrived on his bicycle and Penny arrived on foot, looking very smart in her business dress!  They were then kind enough to take us into Abingdon to show us where to find Waitrose so that we could do some shopping there. The boat that they use, “Queen of Hearts” was moored diagonally opposite (see right-hand photo below)

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After we left them, we sailed down to Culham Lock, where we moored just before the lock for the night.  Robin noticed some water in the bilge (enough to spill over the bilge pump recess).

16 Miles and 7 locks – 6.5 hours

Total 21 miles and 11 locks – 9.5 hours

Setting Off at Last

Wednesday 12^th October, 2011

We slept really well in our lovely bedroom; we love the bedding which we had bought four years ago when the boat was still just a dream. Our KG guys arrived and continued to work on the outstanding jobs. About mid-day, we moved MM out of the ‘dry-dock’ to the diesel point where we filled her with diesel and water. Then, finally, after a build process which lasted eight months, we said an emotional farewell to the guys as they left to return to the KG workshop.  They had work to do on “Barocha” and “Das Boot”, both of which had been craned out of the canal immediately after MM had been craned in.  They also had work to do to finish “Kalliope” which should have been launched on Monday but wasn’t ready in time.

There are still some unfinished jobs on board, such as no mirrors!  These had to be specially ordered and hadn’t arrived in time.  Marion asked what she was supposed to do – how does a girl attend to her hair and make-up?  Even Robin was grizzling that he couldn’t trim his beard!!!!

At 2:00pm, we sailed the short distance back to the Rock of Gibraltar where we dropped off a birthday card for Stamatis, the landlord whose 50^th birthday was the following weekend. We then had lunch, our first meal on board. While we were eating, a narrowboat went by far too fast and the resulting “wash” caused Marion’s shampoo bottle to be thrown out of the rack in the shower, the lid flew off and most of its contents went down the plughole.  A good start!

Richard (the First) had forgotten to give us a BW key so we met him at Shipton Bridge (220), where he gave it to us; it would have been difficult to take on water and discharge waste without it!  It felt sad waving goodbye to him as he walked away.

The first lift bridge was a bit of a challenge!  We were a little concerned it would come down on our heads! Robin got off MM and lifted the bridge but it kept falling back down – so Marion had to came and hold it open while Robin sailed MM through.

“Bones” (viz “Canal Boat” magazine) was still moored up at Thrupp!

We cruised for two hours or so.  All along the towpath, MM was much admired by walkers and onlookers and it was the most wonderful feeling to be able to say proudly “She’s brand new today!”

Then, to our complete astonishment, came the first of our “Many Meetings”.  It was extraordinary.  Just past Yarnton Bridge (228), we saw a couple walking on the towpath.  Marion and the chap (Paul Gliddon) recognised each other. Marion worked with Paul at Bristow Helicopters, Paul had been the Manager of Bristow’s Australian operation and the coincidence didn’t end there - it was Paul who had taught Robin to fly back in the 1960’s!  Robin hadn’t seen Paul for forty-five years!  Paul and his wife Liz live in Australia and they were staying overnight with Paul’s 90-year old mother, who lived next to the canal, before flying back to Australia the following morning. They just happened to have decided to go for a stroll along that stretch of canal! They joined us for tea on board and we christened the pansy teapot – our first very special guests. They then helped us through Kidlington Green Lock (4) where we moored up for the night and they went back to Paul’s mother’s.   It was absolutely wonderful to see them and the most incredible coincidence. 

After we moored up, we had our first dinner on board and discovered to our horror that, having spent months planning our journey and making endless lists of “Things to Take with us”, we had neglected to pack a bottle opener!  Unbelievable! Especially given that we had a plentiful supply of wine on board – and would you believe it - all of our bottles had real corks, not screw tops!  How frustrating!  So we had to content ourselves with fruit juice instead with our first dinner!

5 miles and 4 locks – 3 hours

Starting to Pack Many Meetings

Tuesday 11^th October, 2011

After the “Small Breakfast” at the Black’s Head – phew, glad we hadn’t gone for the “Big Breakfast”! – we spent the day loading stuff on to MM from the car and from Primrose. Simon, Jon and Darren worked on some of the outstanding items.

In the evening we took the Kingsground crew out to dinner at the Horse and Groom. Richard came but Tiffany felt too emotional to come. We missed her and wished she had been with us but were pleased to hear subsequently that the landlord of the Horse and Groom had sent a supper of seabass home for her with Richard!  We were amused (and pleased) to see that all three “Richards”, i.e. Richard the First (Haynes), Richard the Second (Needham) and Richard the Third (Cooke) were all present!  It was lovely to see that Simon, Jon and Darren were all present too.   Jon announced that he was taking our gift of a bottle of the “pink’un” on holiday to Sicily with his girlfriend next week!  The food at the Horse and Groom was absolutely first-class and the landlord looked after us very well indeed. It was very nice to spend time with “The Lads” and to get to know them a little better out of their work environment.  It was a lovely evening, again we didn’t want it to end, but it was compensated for by going back to Enslow and sleeping on MM for the first time.

Launch Day!!

Monday 10^th October, 2011

We arrived at Kingsground at 8pm.  It was a dry day but very windy, so much so that Richard Haynes, the owner of Kingsground, had been concerned that it would be too windy for the crane operator.  We were delighted to be joined by our friends Penny, Harry and Simon.  Clare and Jenni came along a little later.

Many Meetings was moved out of the workshop, starting at about 9:00am and craned onto a flat-bed truck. It was a very skilled operation for the drivers of the crane and the flat-bed truck to manoeuvre her between the trees in the prevailing wind.  She was then driven down to the canal at Enslow. Several of our friends and family, unsure of the way to Enslow, passed her en route - “Follow that boat” was the cry! 

Many Meetings was launched at the Rock of Gibraltar at 10:45. Again, the crane operation went without a hitch, despite the wind.  It was heart-warming to hear the cheer from the assembled company as she touched the water (thank you, Judith!)  At mid-day, she was officially named by Jenni in front of 45 of our friends and family.  We did not smash a bottle of champagne over her immaculate paintwork – Darren would never have forgiven us!  Instead, Jenni very gently poured a glass of the “pink’un” over her bow.  It was wonderful to have so many of our favourite folk present, some of whom had travelled a long way to be there. We were delighted to see that Jim and Craig, of Alexander’s, who had built the shell for us, had come all the way from Stourport.

After the launch, we all enjoyed a buffet lunch in the Rock of Gibraltar. Simon Page, our engineer, then sailed MM to the nearby Enslow Marina and moored her up in the ‘dry-dock’ polytunnel next to “Primrose”, Tiffany’s boat.  On the previous Friday, we had hired a large van and brought up from home much of the equipment for MM and stored it on Primrose over the weekend.

Our visitors all set off home after lunch.  We unpacked a few things on to MM then we returned to the Black’s Head and after a hearty supper, we stayed the night in the Barn room. Very comfortable and we slept like babies.  It had been one of those rare and very special days in one’s life that you don’t want to end.  We shall treasure the memory of today forever….

Pre Launch Day!

Sunday 9^th October 2011

We arrived at The Black’s Head, Bletchingdon, a friendly pub where we had booked overnight accommodation. We were pleased to see that Elle, Matt and Eva, plus Clare, were already there.  Jenni was also joining us and was due to arrive about 11pm after driving down from Huddersfield. We all had dinner together and Eva made friends with a little lad called Toby.