Back up North.

The very bad news of the incident in Nice, southern France, meant that the civic buildings in Woking flew all their flags at half mast as a sign of respect on Saturday

Flags at half mast opposite our moorings.

 We set off earlier that usual as the top of Woodham Locks would be opened a bit after 0900. As we passed Sheerwater we saw this machinery that looked like the remains of a crane for the canal.

This is the Basingstoke Canal weed cutter. The stretch that we did wasn't too bad on the whole but I can see that it will be needing to work over side to keep it like that.

Lock cottages on the Woodham Flight.

Around half way down we met the only other boat coming up or down, a single hander. Once we were told he was coming up we left a gate open for him and he being their meant that we didn't need to fill the locks every time. At the end of the day the locks are left empty and with a bottom paddle open. They then seal up the upper gates to save water.

There are plenty of trees on this stretch and so the locks are quite a good run down.

We arrived at the junction with the Wey Navigation and had a bit of difficulty getting round due to shallow water at the corner. We got through and noticed that the water was deeper.

Byfleet Boat club have a nice club house and surely make a little money from mhiring out the rowing boats in the summer.

Just the other side of Parvis Bridge is Parvis Wharf which seemed to be quite busy as we passed.

The day had become very warm in the sun and even the horses were taking shade where they could.

We didn't see the entrance to Pryford Marina until the last minute so made a bit of a mess of turning in, having a three point turn to achieve it. We were soon allocated our berth and were tied up and  taking on water. We were rushing to depart as we were hoping to get into London as soon as possible to give a hand to my daughter who was moving flats. The walk into West Byfleet was hot and sweaty then there was only one ticket machine and a queue so I got my onward tickets and legged it to catch the train. Helen caught up with the guard after we had arrived in Waterloo and had had a good deal on a super saver return ticket. We did our duty loading a van and emptying it into her more spacious and better situated place in Hoxton and soon it was time for me to go to catch my train from Kings Cross to Hull.

The trip went without a hitch, change at Doncaster. I only had ten minutes to wait to get my bus and got into Hedon in time to get milk bread etc and get through the front door at 2200.

I hardly slept at all. Nobody next to me. After 40 years of sleeping on little bunks on my own on ships I have now got used to a bigger bed and somebody to share it with. Hopefully more luck tonight.

Back to blogging on Wednesday when I return to the boat.