We are moored up just downstream of Triggs Lock, I’ll try and put a few pics of our walk around Wisley today.

After a quick coffee we wandered towards the rose gardens, passing plenty of Cornus, covered in flowers.

The roses were spectacular, so many varieties and styles

Wandering past Hilltop, where my old glasshouses stood, is always nostalgic. There are no signs left of them now, just memories, but good ones at that.

Hilltops gardens are maturing nicely, very imaginative planting and friendly water fowl appreciating the ponds. Onto Battlestone Hill, the first area I worked in, and still a few Rhodo’s in flower.

Then walking to “My” gum trees to give them a hug….which I had planted 49 years ago ! Onto the Fairy Dell, looking like Tassie now

and then back down to the Alpine House, Rock garden and glasshouse after some lunch.

Of course we had to go into the Orchid house first…

Then into the main glasshouse, with the stunning Jade Vine

Time to head back to Cartbridge Marina, but not before tormenting myself in plant sales !

Back at the Marina the power situation had got worse…none available ! With a little bit begging the sparkie restored single phase to the main shed, allowing us to get up to date with the laundry. Being such a nice evening we’ve gone upstream to the first lock and have moored in the meadows. Tomorrow we will have lunch at the New Inn at Send and probably return to the marina…..“Finished with Engines”😢…we fly home on Sunday.

Yes we had a lot of rain last night and this morning so it was a slow start. Good thing we’ve got plenty of reading material.

The rain turned to drizzle, so we pushed off eager to get back to Cartbridge Marina before more arrived.

What a contrast to a couple of days ago, but the water meadows are always interesting to go thru, being the true river rather than a canalised section. There’s always abundant waterfowl here.

There was a National Trust employee at Newark Lock, who helped us, much appreciated by Hazel. Approaching Triggs the rain started, but the NT work boat Swallow appeared so we went through together. There is a lot of bank reinforcement being carried on, the Wey is obviously in good hands.

Approaching Cartbridge Basin from downstream we always pass an unloved Sea Otter on a home mooring. It’s gradually being surrounded by reeds, so sad to see a once lovely boat going downhill. Just as we enter the Marina the heavens open and we get soaked, we just needed another 5 minutes. To make matters worse there is no shoreline power, hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow or our fridge will run the house battery down.

With clearer skies this morning we headed back onto the River Wey, but first Thames Lock. It’s unusual in having an additional lower pound to lift you over the cill when the Thames is low. It’s also the only manned lock on the Wey, run efficiently by Tracey.

Checking the weather forecast rain is due this afternoon, time to crack on..BUT..every lock is set against us, next Town then Coxes.

We do a quick shop at New Haw Lock, luckily we can share this time, making things considerably easier for Hazel. After a long pound we call into Pyrford Marina to top up the diesel and get a replacement Calor Gas bottle……yikes that’s £80 !

Passing thru Pyrford Lock then the ever open Walsham Gates, only used in floods, to find our old T42 favourite spot for jet lag recovery vacant. Perfect timing, after an hour the rain starts !

This morning saw a complete change in weather from yesterday. Cloud, very windy and blowing thru rain we held off moving until after morning tea when the rain abated somewhat. Penny started first, heading upstream to Shepperton Lock, and ultimately getting to Staines Upon Thames.

With the poor weather we decided to go downstream, but it was soon evident that locking could be a challenge, so called upon our friend Sue at Walton Marina to say hi and see what the weather would do after lunch. It was great to catch up with somebody from our T42 and Pyrford Marina days.

After lunch onboard the weather hadn’t improved much so we decided to head back to the Wey, and possibly the Anchor Inn

After 10 minutes the drizzle turned into showers, then heavy rain. Time for the waterproofs as H retreated into the cabin. Turning into the Wey, Thames and Shepperton junction I spied a 40’ long 24 hour free mooring….which we quickly occupied ! The rain continued on and off all afternoon, with the sun finally emerging as I write this blog at 7pm. We will lock up the Wey tomorrow, with a few services and shopping required.

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.

We’ve had a good day returning to the Marina, the cooler conditions are more pleasant when standing at the tiller all day.

The first lock was set for us, but not so for the next three….

We called into Dapdune Wharf, head of the Wey Navigations Office, to use the services and exchange some books at the bookstore there. We always find something to read here !

We picked up a travelling companion over the next couple of locks, we always zipped ahead but had to set the lock, so they always caught up a la Tortoise and Hare

There is a nice shady spot near the New Inn at Send where we pull in for lunch and sample some of our new books for an hour or so. Then onto High Bridge for milk and tonic, and back into the Marina. We catch up with Penny and Mark for G&T’s and plan tomorrow’s cruise down onto the Thames together with Iris. We will then decide if it’s downstream to Hampton Court or follow Penny upstream for a while depending upon how we feel. A few of the Thames Locks are having problems and we don’t want to get caught out, as this time next week we’re Australia bound !

Our early morning wake up call was a rowing instructor cycling up and down the path shouting FAST, SLOW and GO….so after a leisurely breakfast we entered the race and headed upstream.

Going through St Catherine’s Lock we are pleased to learn Unstead Lock has been repaired, allowing us to get to Godalming. Well done National Trust Wey Navigations for a fast repair.

However first we have to fight off a day boat load of Pirates….in full costume they are an impressive sight, sadly their sailoring skills are lacking…..and have to be reminded how to proceed through a lock by Hazel. I don’t think the beer at 10am is going to help either, aren’t they supposed to drink rum ?

Before getting to the last lock and Godalming we have to limbo under Broadford bridge….no lowering the wheelhouse on PT, we crouch under it with at least 6cm’s to spare 😳

And the main reason for our visit ? Pecan and Cinnamon muffins from Gail’s…….the best in the world….even beating Zack’s white chocolate and raspberry ones from the Boathouse in Launceston ! It’s been another warm day, so we’ve headed back to the Guildford Meadows of last night for some shade. Sharing the locks with an experienced crew in a 70” boat we fairly whizz thru but not before passing the pirates….with much Aaar and My Hearties they look slightly worse for wear……maybe they did find the rum !

A leisurely start this morning, finally, leaving Cartbridge Marina we headed upstream towards Guildford. Not only Rhododendron ponticum was in full bloom alongside the banks this morning.

Just as we entered Triggs Lock, Betty Lou joined us and made Hazels life as a lock labourer much easier as we shared duties.

Going through Stoke lock a couple were taking lots of photos, recognising their accent, I tried out some Afrikaans on them. Yes they were from Durban, South Africa! and were enjoying walking along the Wey. They gladly accepted a lift up the river to our next stop, just outside Guildford to finish provisioning Prime Thyme.

As usual the Canoe Club provided plenty of navigational tests, but nobody was sunk. Releasing our temporary passengers, who were clearly delighted with their mini cruise, we moored up just below the high street in an absolute racket ! Debenhams was being demolished ! ….a Guildford institution being replaced by a “New River Landscape”. At least the old coffee shop still exists.

After a wander around Guildford it was time to move on, first through Millmead Lock, then onto the meadows to moor. We will have to see what tomorrow brings….Unstead Lock is out of action for repairs, so no chance of getting to Godalming tomorrow….well it is called Slow Boating…time for a G&T 😁

After a chaotic check in at Bucharest Airport we endured the 3.5 hour flight to Heathrow. Both of us have bad backs from the hard seats on our flight…..with no recline and no leg room….bring on Qantas for our return flights! As usual Sue from Kendall Hire Car met us, and drove back to the Guildford branch, where a hybrid Fiat 500 awaited. A quick shop at the Morrisons in Send, and then the dreaded unpack after the high of getting back onboard.

It’s blowing a gale and we are both tired from the 4am start. No cruising today, but Guildford tomorrow for a shop and wander.

Good Night ZZZzzz

Just a quick blog tonight after a very full day and early start. Leaving Lif at 8am, with lots of heart felt good byes from her amazing crew, we were coached into Bucharest and all its traffic ….past the obscene and obese parliament building that Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu had built under their communist dictatorship. Then onto Revolution Square where a gentleman described how he had taken part in it at the age of 15. Losing several friends of similar age he described the horrifying democide that the army committed that Christmas in 1989.

It was a moving speech, leaving many people in tears, especially as you could still see bullet holes all around in the buildings.

Driving to the old town we walked past the French designed buildings along cobbled streets….just what country were we in ?

Lunch was excellent, with the obligatory dancing and singing

After a bit of free time our final stop was an open air museum of buildings set in a delightful park. I could have spent all day here.

Our final drive to the hotel passed around L’arc de Triumph ! Party captured below with the ever smiling Roy. He and his delightful wife Susan have restored our faith in America….like our revolutionary guide said, all countries have ups and downs, you just need to look at the big picture over its whole history to restore a sense perspective.

A great way to end a great trip, it has truly been a Grand European Sojourn! Tomorrow England, the River Wey and some ….. Prime Thyme.