Weybridge

Today's Navigations : Thames, Wey

Although the very early morning was bright and sunny, by the time we emerged and were able to go outside, everything was rather grey.

Before leaving, Mike crossed the road that follows the river bank just here to take a distant look at the Magna Carta Monument. It is only one field way but he declined to walk closer as the weather did not look as if it would make a better picture!

A shot of the excellent overnight mooring - made better bv being vacant when we arrived! We passed a few more single spaces and at the end there is a longer space that belongs, we think, to the town council.

As we left, some blue sky emerged, just enough to tempt us into thinking about summer days. It proved, however, to be a fickle friend and came and sent as it pleased.

The first lock, Bell Weir, likes to promote its associate with the Magna Carta - Runneymede is still close at hand. The lock house has several murals painted for the 800th anniversary - in 2015! They seem to have survived remarkably well.

Runneymede Bridge is perhaps the most complex in terms of traffic flows. It carries both the M25 and the A30. The former orbits central London and the other is a traditional route down to the West Country, Cornwall in particular. It is actually two bridges with the same profile but different construction techniques The first was built in 1961 to a design by Sir Edwin Lutyens agreed in 1939 but deferred because of the war. The second, in the photo, was added in 1978. In the first few years of the 21C, the M25 part was modified to carry five lanes in each direction together with two each for the A30, plus a pedestrian footpath!

Another river crossing, this time for trains - a very different design. Whilst rather utilitarian it still looks the part, especially on one of today's fleeting sunny spells.

The Thames Diesel fuel boat, Merchant, was tied up at its base - we understand that it is still supplying boats on the middle and upper Thames but could not find its schedule.

Chertsey Lock was on Self Service - all the others on the Thames were manned. By the time it was ready, there was quite a lockful. The keeper at the previous lock had told us where the water point was located (below the lock and round a corner) but also warned us that it was very slow. During the lock operation we learned that two other boats also wanted water (although as first arrival we would have had prime position) but we also knew that there is a water point at the start of the Wey so we 'generously' gave our slot away!

Fortunately a crew member from a boat waiting below came and offered complete the operation so we could all sail straight out.

Chertsey Bridge is clearly a lot older than the ones earlier in the day. The first crossing was completed soon after 1299. A timber structure was put in place in 1530 but quickly became dilapidated. It took until 1784 for the present bridge to be built. The story is told that the builder contracted to construct a number of arches but the the counties forgot to specify that it should be connected to the two banks! They had to pay extra for its completion.

The start of houseboat land.

On the Thames this time we have already seen all sorts of small craft bit this was the first sailing dinghies. It seems that the wind was too light for the first two who were being towed together upstream! The oarsman looked as if he was earning his keep.

At Shepperton Lock, the last on the Thames this time, we stopped to use the sani station - it has been a while since we last passed one. The keeper was assisted, as at most of the Thames locks we have come through, by a cheery volunteer.

Below the lock Weybridge Junction is a complex connection with two routes down the Thames, a couple of weir streams and a backwater to the Wey. Our route, with the sma;;est opf signs, is somewhere in the middle.

The first lock on the Wey is Thames Lock and is manned. Not only is this in order to sell visitor licences but also because the operation is a bit more complicated than normal. The river level varies but the cill at the bottom gates does not. Hence, when the river is lower, the depth into the lock is insufficient for many boats. A single pound gate below the main lock is used to raise the level for the 50m or so before the lock. 

Although we were now at the time for the  keepers to take their lunch break, one of them kindly came and let us into the pound as we were hoping not only to have our lunch but also to fill up with water from the tap located here.=

At the due time, the keeper let water down rom the main lock and then directed us into the lock itself. Once the lock was full we had to visit the office to pay our dues and collect a special sized lock key.

We could now set off. However, whilst we were paying, a very heavy rain storm arrived and we thought about mooring just above the lock. However it equally quickly passed and we continued on to the next lock. This one needs special attention as the arch of the bridge and the  lock are on a sharp skew from the river direction we had been travelling. On the lower lock landing it is not possible to see whether anyone is coming down or when the gates are ready. Hence, Mike had to go ahead and wave to Christine once the gates were open.

The lock itself has an awkward narrow steep footbridge and as the National Trust particularly ask that both gates are opened, the crew person has to cross several times - and there are no footboards at the top end either. All this is to explain why we took no photos until rather later after we had moored.

Soon after we moored sunshine broke through and Mike walked back to take a few photos of the lock itself.

Later, Christine walked into the town centre - she was not overly impressed especially as a couple of shop that declared that they were still open at this time had already shut!

She did take some pictures of the old bridge - this part spans the actual river whilst a wider section, where the camera is located, hides the entrance in to the lock.

She also found a plaque giving some of the history of this crossing with the oldest record is from 675.

9.2 Miles - 7 Locks