Penny onboard Iris, a 26’ Sea Otter, led the way this morning, downstream heading to the Thames. It was another sunny day with a cool breeze, but sufficient to slip slop slap the sunscreen.

It’s always good company to travel with a fellow boater, especially somebody like Penny who had been on the Wey and Thames since a child. She knows ever shop location and good mooring spots, as well as the latest river rumours.

But after the first lock we catch up with our nemesis from a few days ago, a 70’ wide beam who only just fits in the locks and has to slow right down negotiating corners or any other long boats. Rather than trail in his wake we pull over at New Haw Lock for provisions and lunch.

By then another boat joins us….so we travel downstream as a group of 3 to minimise water usage.

Approaching Thames Lock, where the Wey joins the Thames, we see the widebeam finally entering its natural habitat. Looking back the entrance to the Wey is hardly visible.

It’s a broad stretch of river with numerous islands and channels but Penny leads the way to the back of Desborough Island and Lady Lindsey’s Lawn, a mooring we’ve often used before.

Penny treats us to a BBQ dinner as we celebrate our journey and friendship. Tomorrow she is heading upstream to Pangbourne, we will go downstream to Hampton Court. Our time is limited this year and we cannot afford to be stuck behind broken locks.