Send

Today's Navigation : Wey

Really good boating weather today - not too hot not too cool, no rain and plenty of bright, sunny spells. We almost overslept this morning! 

Before we left overnight mooring, Mike walked into the town centre as he wanted to consult a pharmacist about his about-to-detach thumb nail. Somewhat as expected, all they could suggest (and Mike did try two!) was to wait until it comes away naturally (although one pharmacist did - we think jokingly - that he did have a pair of pliers!) and then keep it covered with a plaster until, some months later, it fully regrows.

It was after 10.30 by the time we left - our first lock was Coxes Lock. A vast industrial milling operation developed here, helped by the ability of the navigation to transport greater quantities much faster. It started in 1776 2h3n an iron entrepreneur, Mr Cox, started building an iron mill. It  finally ceased operation industrially in 1983 and since has become a substantial collection of apartments. One two bed apartment is currently on the market for £440,000.

New Haw Lock is alongside a busy road - the bridge has been widened for modern traffic but it encroaches onto the bottom gates which are much harder to operate as a result. 

A plaque on the lock house, now privately occupied, says that there was once a wharf and lime kilns here.

At Woodhouse Junction (where the Basingstoke Canal branches off) we came under the mighty M25, here on a viaduct. In 2015 when we first went down to Godalming, we included one of the artworks on the pillars - there are still very decorative works here but, as far as we can see, all different from last time. Not sure how often they are 'refreshed'.

Many of the bridges, especially the foot and accommodation bridges, are of this design. Unlike many canals, these are not arched - perhaps they were no required to carry as heavy loads - but are no doubt somewhat cheaper to construct.

Very close to the entrance to Pyrford Marina we pulled in to have lunch. This spot is rather familiar as we were delayed here in 2021 by floods. Covid restrictions were still around at that time and the pub was clearly struggling. Today, even on Monday ,unchtie, they seemed to be thriving with most outdoor tables occupied.

On the long moorings above Pyrford Lock we saw MSC Frodsham, last spotted moored under the M25. We understand that it is a modern replica of an original Manchester Ship Canal vessel, built for the Bridgewater. The original was steam powered but c                onverted to diesel.

This summerhouse to Pyford Place was occupied for several years by the poet John Donne where he met his wife Anne. It has since been modernised!

Walsham gates are intended for use only during floods and are one of only two sets on this navigation. Here, the upper gates seem to have been removed so can only operate as true flood gates, rather than as a lock. This, no doubt, makes them harder to re-open after flooding has subsided. It is also a turf-sided lock, as were many on the River Kennet Navigation.

Newark Priory stood close to the river where the newark Lock now provides safer navigation. The priory dates back to the 12C. The community was dissolved by Henry VIII and only fragments of the stone walls remain. Unfortunately, as the land around is privately owned, this is the closest we can get. An annual service is held here each Easter.

Papercourt Lock is sometimes called 'the lock that moved' as it was re-built in the later 18C - all the OS maps from 1870 show the present configuration.

Approaching Send we passed some former industrial buildings, now converted to Tannery Studios and Send Business Park. The former offer work space for creative people with several film and audio recording studios. It did not appear to be fully ocdcuopieds so we wondered if it is still affected by the 'working from home' change in working habits. (We met one boater a few days ago who is a graphic designer living in Spain who works for a company based in London)

8.0 Miles - 5 Locks