Rain had continued overnight but by the time we were about it had completely cleared, leaving us withy a much warmer and sunnier day ahead.
Although our mooring is a bit bleak it was very quiet for a town centre and few passers-by. It is clearly signed as a 24hr Free Visitor Mooring and does not, in our limited experience, seem to justify the idre warnings that some guides give.
We only had a fairly short run today, albeit with four locks, to reach the end of the navigation at Godalming so we were not in any hurry to get underway. We did eventually do so just after 10.
This is the Town Bridge that we featured yesterday, but from above. The cast iron arch which inspired its retention when the bridge was last restored in 1985, is quite splendid in the sunlight, So much more impressive than the anonymous plain reinforced concrete of more modern crossings.
Just before the edge of town we passed through Millmead Lock, featuring the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre as backdrop. A couple of young lads were keen to offer their help in opening the gates. (We were a bit disappointed that neither theatre had anything on that we might go and see - last time, earlier in the Spring, we went to a show at both. In the summer the only options are childrens shows)
Above the lock there was a new weir that has closed part of the towpath. a couple of walkers, following guided walk that they had printed from the internet were a bit bemused about where to go. On the present Google satellite view, this short section of the river is blocked off, presumably whilst the construction was taking place. Not yet found a date for the images.
Some guides suggest that the riverside by Ferry Lane Bridge, St catherine's Sands, is a popular play area in the summer but no sign of that today (nor, indeed 8 years ago on our only other visit) A pretty spot, nonetheless, as is most of the riverside walk.
The river has numerous sharp bends - the vegetation prevented either the boat coming down or ourselves from seeing each other until almost it was too late but we did just squeak past each other. It is not easy now to see it, but there is a post between the walkers and the tall tree trunks. Similar ones can be found at several bends and were intended to help horse drawn boats around when the tow rope would otherwise try to cut the corner.
As the sign says, the next lock is much shallower than most of the locks on this navigation. The two walkers we saw earlier were by now rather lost and trying to work out where they were. Their next intended waypoint was a long way back, no far after we we had seen them! In the end we pinpointed their present location on their OS map (if not on their guided tour!) and they were able to work out a suitable route for the rest of their walk (hopefully!)
At the start of the navigation, the lock keeper at Thames Locks checks on the air draft of each boat so that it is at least under the height of the lowest bridge - Broadford. We did meet a boat earlier in the trip who just made but but they were much higher than we are. We made it comfortably with the radio antenna just touching the underside of the bridge.
Just beyond the bridge is Guns Mouth (or Stonebridge Wharf), the junction with the Wey and Arun Canal that linked with the navigable River Arun to provide a route right down to the south coast. Although restoration continues, slowly, one day hopefully this will make a fantastic trip.
After completing the final (or first if you follow the numbering in some guides) lock there is a short, bendy section to Godalming Wharf. We had vhoped to moor for the night on the towpath opposite the wharf but it was fully occupied - about the first time we have seen this along the whole navigation. Whilst Mike did the usual emptying and watering, Christine went to make 'local enquiries' and was told that the good mooring right at the very end of the navigable waters would be free as the person who normally moors there is away for a month and does not mind the mooring being used in his absence. The bank opposite by the towpath was also free but our blog from our first visit suggest that it is rather shallow. In any case this mooring is nearer to the shops!
The spot that we moored at on our last visit is now not available as the bank has collapsed and is awaiting repair (when?)
After lunch we walked to Sainsbury for a good re-stock. later Mike went to the High Street - he was sent on an expedition with orders to find something to tempt Christine for a pudding tonight. He found both a specialist ice cream shop as well as Cook, a shop specialising in ready meals with an amazing range of desserts as well as the usual main courses. The only problem was that he had walked further than he realised and so had to make a fast route march back to the boat before everything melted! Still, it gave Christine a good excuse to try out one of the flavours straight away - she declared the expedition a provisional success. There is more to be tasted before a final verdict is given.
4.6 Miles - 4 Locks
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