Simon and Irene for the Day.

 Tuesday 13th July 2021 between Guildford and Godalming.

Today Simon and Irene came up for the day from Rowlands Castle. R turned MM above Millmead lock and then walked to the station to meet them. Simon and Irene were keen to help through St Catherine's Lock.

Over the last few weeks, M has wanted to get a photograph of one of the Guildford to Reigate train going across the Shalford rail bridge, which we go under south of St Catherine's Lock. At last we managed to be in the right place at the right time!

The low Shalford road bridge is always a highlight as everyone ducks down! At least the river has gone down a bit and we cleared the bridge with a comfortable three inches to spare.

 Simon was a natural on the tiller.

At Godalming, there are several very active canoe, kayak and paddleboard groups. This group of young kayakers made a very colourful picture.

Lunch was a picnic on the grass next to MM at Godalming Wharf.

The residue from lunch looked a bit naughty but actually they hadn't started full (honestly!).

Irene, like M, takes a great interest in the countryside and she loved the area around St Catherine's Lock. The wild flowers and the hedgerows were of especial interest to them both.

Back at the water meadows, we were greeted by a family of hopeful, hungry swans. One of the cygnets had hitched a lift, tucked up in his dad's warm feathers. The cygnet was clearly so relaxed and warm that, at one point, he actually drifted off to sleep.

Later, we saw them again with Mum carrying one of the cygnets and the other cygnet pecking at Mum's side as if to say "it's my turn now!"

A final photograph before the four of us set off for an excellent supper at the nearby Weyside Inn.

Since the first time we went to the Weyside Inn, M has been hankering after another portion of their excellent chips and at last she got her wish!

Today: 6 miles, 6 locks and 9 hours (including power over the weekend).

Trip: 273 miles, 152 locks and 143.3 hours.