12.5 miles 8 locks
Today's plan is vague.
We could spend one more day on the Wey Navigation stopping around Weybridge or make it all the way back to East Molesey.
We left Send at around 9.10 and headed for Papercourt Lock going up what is known as the Broadmead Cut.
Although canalised there are some great meadows to be seen.
Just before the lock comes Tanyard Bridge named after a tannery which was sited nearby.
As you approach Newark Lock there are great views of the old Newark Proiry
We stopped at at Parvis Wharf just before Parvis Bridge to go to the chandlery at TLC (now renamed The Locker Maintenance and Supply Company.
What great people run this place and they had just what I wanted............ a replacement chimney cap for the one I tipped overboard a couple of days ago.
The canal is cross by the enormous M25 viaduct. There are so many pillars supporting it.
At this stage the wooden sound proofing along the viaduct sides are reasonably effective.
Before New Haw lock the noise of the M25 run running near the canal becomes nothing but awful!
There is such traffic noise!
Soon we were at Coxes Lock.
Probably one of my favourite places on the Wey.
First the wide expansive mill pond with a bank of Alder dividing it from the canal.
Then it is the flour mill now converted to luxury apartments.
It is then a short distance to Weybridge Town Lock.
For the first time today the lock is ready and in our favour.
We are lucky as there is already below the downstream gates.
It has stopped there rather than on the lock mooring round the corner.
Realising we 'have first shout' as the lock is in our favour the boat backs away from the gate into centre stram.
We are nearly at the end of the Wey Navigations.
The sun is belting down as Hallmark approaches Thames Lock.
The lock keeper has his windlass ready and we are soon through the 'normal' lock and then the stop lock.
We decide to stop at the Anglers below Walton Bridge for a coffee to set us up for the final few miles and the 'clear up.'
It was going to be touch and go whether we would make Sunbury Lock before the 6.00pm closure,
We were in luck with about seven minutes to spare.
As always the assistant lock keeper is so friendly and helpful.
So it a final chug home along our own bit of the Thames.
Hallmark make a very good turn above Platt's Ait and for the first time in the last three returns to the mooring I line up the boat perfectly and cruise alongside and tie up.
Tired................... but what a great short trip.
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