Pyrford to Weybridge

Thu 25th April

Something that was left out from the blog for Wednesday. Although we went for a meal at the Anchor in Pyrford at about 2.15pm, there were candles on every table, and they were all lit, even on the unoccupied tables. The menus consisted of several sheets of paper on a wooden clipboard, so that if you wanted to read about side dishes, you had to turn over two or three pages to get there.  

As Sue referred to something on page 2, James flipped over page 1 to read about the item, and sadly page 1 met the candle and burst into flame! With a quick move of the hand, the flame was quickly snuffed out, but there was an unmistakeable burnt area and a smoky aroma wafting through the air. The waiter came over and asked if everything was alright, and James showed him the burnt menu. The waiter’s response: “Don’t worry, Sir, I’ll fetch another!” It was like something out of Monty Python.

Burnt Menu

So, forward to the next day, Thursday: We set off for Byfleet hoping to avoid the wet weather that was forecast. In the end the weather was much better than had been suggested.

We arrived at Byfleet and collected our parcel from Stuart at TLC. (Thank you, Stuart and Julia!) It was two cauldron planters that we had bought online, because we couldn’t find any like them in garden centres.

Plane tree

TLC

We moved on from there without even turning off the engine. Just after the M25 we stopped to use the “new” elsan point, but discovered that it was the old sort, and the iron structure has been there for some time. It must have been hidden away behind where Chas used to moor his boat. It has now been fenced around, and there is a water tap alongside, and mooring bollards.  We emptied cassettes but we didn’t need the water tap.

Under the M25

New access to old facility

We stopped above New Haw lock, probably for the night, we thought, as rain was still forecast.  James couldn’t find the new set of guitar strings he thought he had, so we caught a bus from New Haw to Woodham to visit Britten’s Music. Armed with a new set of Martins Light strings, we also visited the Co-op for some bits, and just missed a bus back. We had a coffee while waiting for the next one back to New Haw.

The weather was still fine so decided to move on.  We went down through New Haw Lock on our own. By the canoe club we saw a family of Canada Geese. These were a rarity at one time and in about 1958 one was sighted in Cobham, and was reported in the Surrey Comet. Now they are everywhere.

New Haw Lock

Canada Goose Family

We moored for the night above Coxes Lock, where we were further from the motorway and other traffic. We needed a fender where we don’t have a place to tie one, so we had to juggle with ropes and another fender to get one in position. James then put the new strings on his guitar, while Hazel planted out the flowers in the new planters.

Moored by Coxes Lock

Fender use

Cauldrons of flowers

1 lock, 4 miles. Dep 0830, arr 1410 with 4 hours at New Haw.

Fri 26^th April

We had a peaceful night until about 5am when the Canada Geese started up with their honking. We didn’t have far to go so we had a leisurely morning before leaving our mooring.

Coxes Mill and Lock

Setting off

Coxes Lock

Below Coxes Lock, near the Pelican Wharf moorings, there is a water tap, but it is well hidden, and many visitors would pass by without realising it was there. We knew about it, and filled up our tank, as the water pressure was very good. We also washed the port side of the boat.

Water point

Wisteria

We stopped for the night above Town Lock, and went shopping in Weybridge. We met our friend Tony Davis (BCF and Byfleet Boat Club) in the High Street and had a short chat. We got back on the boat and realised that the heavy rain that had been forecast had gone either side of us.  We cooked a meal and were joined by our friend Julie, who we haven’t seen for a few years. She came with us on our first hire boat holiday in 1984 round the Cheshire Ring. 

Moored above Town Lock, just missing the rain

Julie with a strong glass of fruit squash

1 lock, 1 mile.  Dep 1150, arr 1300

Sat 27^th April

We were woken in the night by young lads jumping our boat at 2.15am! When we shouted, they ran off. We think they had assumed that the boat was unoccupied.

We walked into Weybridge to meet our next-door neighbours Sid and Christine in a coffee shop. It was good to catch up with all the local news. Later, back on the boat, Amanda came to join us on board and spend the afternoon with us. We had a bite to eat and then took the boat down through Town Lock, and moored halfway to Thames Lock, by Hamm Court.

Town Lock

Amanda with windlass

Emerging from Town Lock

Hazel and Amanda

Moored by Hamm Court

Near our mooring we found some lovely white flowers, which we thought were snowflake flowers, but looking closely, they are slightly different to the ones we have found in the past. Any suggestions anyone?

Snowflake flowers – or not?

We went to explore some shops and ended up having a meal at the Thai restaurant.

Off for a meal

On our way back down the path we met James from Tranquil Rose. His boat is moored further down, as he is out on the Thames tomorrow. We will see him at Rickmansworth Festival on 18th May.

1 lock 0 miles  Dep 1445, arr 1505

Next: Weybridge Methodist Church tomorrow morning, then probably a lunch somewhere before going onto the Thames in the afternoon. On the tide to Limehouse on Tuesday.