07-30 Above Denham Lock on the Grand Union

Wednesday 29th July: A bit brighter morning after a very quiet night on the Slough Arm with minimal noise from Heathrow or local railway line.  Have circumnavigated Heathrow over last few weeks back to our mooring in Reading and we have either been aware of aircraft taking off, landing or preparing for take off (possibly the worst noise as the ground tends to shake as well) ever since!
Had a clean up in bilges and and tightened stern gland  this morning before we set off back down the Arm.  Turned left off the branch having only seen two other boats moving while we were on the branch. Up to Cowley lock and used the services then through Uxbridge and its lock and on to Denham Deep lock (all eleven feet of it) and moored just above the lock close to the Country park.
Went out with the dogs after having lunch heading for the country park.  Bridie dived into lockside cafe for a couple of ice creams to eat on a sunny afternoon.  Within five minutes a black cloud arrived and it started to pour with rain luckily the visitor centre wasn't far and we were able to shelter from the worst.  After the clouds cleared we worked our way back to the towpath and an old crossover bridge and crossed the canal to walk by the lakes formed from old gravel workings.

Thursday 30th July: Happy Birthday Mel! Bridie said she didn't sleep too well because of the traffic noise (the M40 is only about half a mile away here) but otherwise it was a quiet mooring spot and she took the dogs on their before-breakfast walk this morning. It was nice and sunny so we decided to stay and explore some more later. But halfway through breakfast someone turned the lights out and we were running round shutting cratches and windows as it started raining again!  However it did clear up and we set off with the dogs for a walk through the country park to Denham village, listening to the church bells as we walked.  Eventually walking past the church

and into the village. After a general wander round we made our way to The Falcon

which had a quiet and pleasant garden area for lunch and refreshment!  Rather a protracted visit as I had to take my pie back which had not been heated at all (part frozen!) However very apologetic and replacement was excellent.  Then walked on down "The Pyghtle" to Denham station and watched a couple of local Chiltern Rail trains pass through.  Rather weird layout as station up in the air and platform 1 down to Birmingham has been rebuilt facing opposite side of trains to original platform.  Also original subway no longer accessible from Platform 1 and a bridge has been provided between 1 & 2.  Only infrequent trains stop here so we made our way back to PO passed the golf course and down the towpath.

07-28 Near bridge 5 (remains of) on Slough Arm of Grand Union

Tuesday 28th July: Another rather grey start to the day.  Not particularly warm and rather blustery although we did manage a little sunshine late afternoon.  We set off and cruised down the remaining part of the Paddington Arm to Bulls Bridge Junction and turned right onto the Grand Union.  Rather a sigh of relief really as our overall impression of the Paddington Arm was not good, bit like the Bridgewater but in rather depressing drag! In fact that is doing a dis service to the Bridgewater which we rather like.   Heading north (?) now and into Yiewsley where we stopped between two lines of flats next to the entrance (couldn't get much closer)

to a super large Tesco store (so large that Bridie got lost going for some milk and only found her way out after about 40 minutes then sent me to choose some beer and buy her the DVD Shaun the Sheep!)  We stayed for lunch and had a boat expire alongside and had to help get him tied up.  Thought at first it was rubbish on his prop but seems he had run out of diesel (at least he seemed to think someone else may have emptied his tank for him).  Set off again and turned left onto the 5 mile Slough Arm for a quick explore.  We found it not nearly as bad as had been described to us and although rather straight it was green and quiet with softer edges than the Paddington Arm and nothing like the rubbish to spoil it.  OK the end

was an anti climax and we turned and retraced our steps with no where to moor up except the builders yard!  However after passing the moored boats between bridges 7 and 6 we found a reasonably quiet spot with a good edge to moor up against just after the remains of bridge 5.

07-27 Willowtree on Paddington Arm of Grand Union

Monday 27th July: Another rather grey start to the day with minor rain showers, low temperature and blustery wind increasing during the day.  Another trip into Sainsbury's this morning to top up some of the bottles and heavier items since we are so close. Then in light rain we made ready to depart about 11am making steady progress along the Arm with a short stop to top up the water then decided to moor alongside the park area by Willowtree marina for lunch and to walk the dogs.  We ventured into the marina just to take a look and it was rather nice but no shop.

07-26 Alperton on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal

Sunday 26th July - 41st Wedding Anniversary: Started raining about 9am just before Bridie took the dogs for a constitutional and got worse as the morning progressed.  We had decided we did not want to stay where we were and wanted to move to Alperton where there are 7 day moorings right by a Sainsbury's supermarket.  So it was not a pleasant cruise out of London in pouring rain with temperature down at 12 degrees and sometimes fighting to keep the umbrella over the dogs (we just got wet!) and once objective achieved we moored up, battened down the hatches and lit the fire!  Last year we were in Yorkshire celebrating our 40th and it was sunny and very hot.   Bridie braved the weather for a shop in the Sainsbury's store. Whilst the surounding blocks of flats were rather garishly decorated the towpath was in a terrible state, litter bins overflowing right outside Sainsbury's,

graffiti on the CART signs

and drink cans everywhere. The appearance next morning of a gang to cut the hedges was welcome but hardly organised properley as they were just blowing the cuttings on top of the litter.

07-25 Little Venice (Westbourne Road) near Paddington

Saturday 25th July:  After yesterday's rain, true to forecast, it dawned bright and sunny and by the time I took the dogs for morning exercise round the nearby park it was almost dry and most puddles had disappeared.  We made haste to depart while the sun shone and trundled down the Paddington Arm 'enjoying' the wide Green corridor as far is it goes (ignoring the weed, tons of litter in and by the canal, graffiti everywhere, overloaded litter bins, noise and general industrial and built up nature of the London conurbation).  The last 2-3 miles are almost one line of moored boats along the towpath single double and even triple breasted.  Very few gaps, these mainly where the towpath didn't lend itself to mooring  (no rings, no soft verge and nothing to tie up to).  Arrived at the services just before Little Venice and had to wait for a few minutes for a boat to to finish before we could water up and another two boats arrived before we had finished and another breasted up for a while that did not want to wait for water. We then cruised through the junction at Little Venice and into Paddington Basin only to find very limited visitor mooring with no spare space at all!  Turned and retraced our path back out as far as bridge 3 before we found somewhere to moor.  This was between blocks of flats and one of those places difficult to moor at but some rope rings were available attached to the iron edging and we made use of them.  Unfortunately we had moored by a bench seat which later in the evening was a meeting for local youth and although we had no trouble we spent the evening with constant conversation outside our windows.

In the afternoon we had a walk with the dogs and followed the line of the canal out past  these moorings

and on to Richmond Park as far as the Chinese Junk (a Chinese restaurant).

Then went through Richmond park alongside the lake and out past the mosque

to return through Little Venice

back to PO passing this boat moored not far behind us.

In the evening Bridie and I walked up to bridge 4 and visited the Union Tavern for a meal but did not linger too long as the noise was overwhelming for us poor pensioners in amongst all the youngsters celebrating another Saturday evening out (especially the party of six girls that had to shout and scream to make themselves heard!)

07-24 Near Horsenden Hill on Paddington Arm of the Grand Union canal

Thursday 23rd  July:  A fitful nights sleep in anticipation of our trip today exacerbated by a number of boats going through the locks about 5am. Very pleasant morning sunny with little wind.

After walking the dogs talked to crew of nb City Slicker moored in front of us, who was already making ready to leave.  He was also heading for Brentford and he used to moor on the tideway just outside Brentford lock and was advising leaving earlier than the lock keeper suggested, so that he would arrive on slack water for the turn in.  We followed him into the lock at which point four other narrow boats all followed suit.  The lock keeper grumbled a bit at this, but  we notified Thames VTS (Port of London Authority) by phone at 7:10 and we exited onto the tideway about 7:30.  Had a great trip down with minimal breeze and generally warm (for the time of day!) turning into Brentford Thames lock

at about 8:40 when I notified PLA of our arrival. We were the third boat arriving at the lock and had to wait for the first two to clear.  Once into the Grand Union from the Gauging lock it was evident that water levels are low and weed is prevalent. With five of the six narrow boats heading for the flight of ten locks up to Bulls Bridge we paired up and set to, to climb the flight.  Heavy gates and stiff paddles prevailed and it was not plain sailing - a discussion took place as to the merits of returning to the Thames - word came from the lock volunteers that three boats were aground in a pound behind us - we had thought they were low!   At the top of the flight we stopped for services and said our goodbyes then proceeded onwards turning right onto the Paddington arm at Bulls Junction.  Not exactly pleasant country and far too much litter floating about and the bottom too close to the top for comfort! Levels appear to be down by at least six inches. We finally moored up about 4:30pm  almost half way to Paddington with a golf course on our offside.  Weather forecast for tomorrow is wet so we will probably stay here for a second night at least after a nine hour day today.

Friday 24th July: Raining this morning and all day sometimes torrential and able to watch the canal level recover dramatically today.  Stayed where we were not so many cyclists today and the towpath was so wet and puddles so big it looked little different from the canal!  Had a chill out day and the dogs did not get much exercise!

07-22 Teddington Locks on River Thames

Wednesday 22nd July:  After our disturbed nights sleep we had a bit of a slow start to the day but eventually got underway and headed downstream to Teddington Lock where we moored up and went to speak to the lock keeper and pay £8.90 for a nights mooring.  Only one other boat there when we arrived and that was pointing up stream, however a number of boats arrived and moored up during the afternoon and evening and even more passed through the lock

in both directions during the course of the day. High tide in the morning is at 7:55 and the lock keeper advises being ready to enter the lock at 7:25.    We took the dogs for a walk down the towpath almost as far as Richmond (about 3 miles down stream) before it started to rain and looked very threatening so we turned back. Saw this motor torpedo boat moored up, it had past us just as we were mooring up today.

In the event it came to nothing more than a few spots but we were quite worn by he time we got back so no harm done. We had our evening meal and then took the dogs down to the locks and over the bridges towards Teddington to look at this evenings high tide and then settled down early with alarm set for 6am.

07-21 Kingston on River Thames

Tuesday 21st July:  Generally a sunny warm and dry day with a slight breeze.  We had a slow start and then made ready to go for a trip back up river so that we could reuse the services at Molesley lock, there being no water at Kingston or Teddington.  Went up the lock and then cruised up river to circumnavigate the ait at Port Hampton and back down the river through the Regatta course and past our previous mooring.  No sign of the Regatta now and no one moored on the 24 hr mooring.  Back to the lock landing and watered up emptied rubbish and elsan and into the lock on our own to return past our Hampton Court mooring.  Paid our £5 for second night at Molesley on the way through the lock.   Returned to same mooring at Kingston and after a short dog walk went over the bridge to find somewhere to eat and to do a little shopping. Had a pleasant enough evening watching (and listening to) the activity on the river and the bistro area on the opposite bank.  However trying to get some sleep was almost impossible as the party atmosphere continued through until after 2am.  At which time I had to go out and shout at two individuals consuming their beer on the back of our boat!

7-20 Hampton Court on River Thames

Monday 20th July: Rained again overnight and this morning was grey and drizzly.  We set off about 10am back up river and managed to squeeze onto the Hampton Court moorings between a small GRP cruiser (Light Haze from Portsmouth) and a Dutch widebeam (off across the channel to France on Friday). The mooring is immediately below the gates looking into the palace.

Once dogs sorted we ventured out to the ticket office for Hampton Court and spent the rest of the day exploring the palace(s).

Then into in the gardens to find a pair of shire horses pulling a land train on a short circuit of the gardens, we took a welcome 15 minute rest and opted for a ride!

On the trip we had a short guided tour and better understood the relationship between the half of the remaining Tudor palace and the unfinished Georgian palace.

Saw some of the yew trees being clipped and could do with this method to get to the top of my hedges.

Back to the boat late afternoon, quick starter and drink (hardly late lunch!) and took the dogs into Home Park to see the deer and the Longwater.

Getting quite breezy and still rather grey and not much sign of the sun but quite warm and humid.   Banging about a bit on this mooring and put wheel fenders out but still a bit bumpy especially when anything of any size passes on the river.

07-19 Kingston on River Thames

Sunday 19th July:   A very warm and sunny day today and a slow start although the Regatta races started prompt at 9am.  These events were on a shorter course today and we were not too many boat lengths from the starting point.  We had two umpires(?) sat just in front of us and I inquired as to lunch time or breaks in the proceedings when we might depart. There was a break about 11:30 and we took the opportunity of heading up river to go round the island and then head downstream to Molesley lock.  Here very slow progress, a busy Sunday at the lock and all services on the up stream lock landing.  We wanted water and a GRP cruiser was moored on the water point waiting for crew He was determined I was not to lie alongside and pushed us off.  In the end we had to wait for the lock to disgorge its lockful of boats passing upriver before we  and another boat could get to the water point.  Once water ,rubbish disposed of and loo emptied we progressed through the lock by the side of an old dutch widebeam heading to Brentford and then headed down river.   The Hampton Court moorings were full to bursting so carried on and moored up at Kingston after turning to face up river again. During the afternoon I took the dogs for a walk up the 'towpath' and found an entrance to Home Park opposite the Ravens Ait Conference Centre which we explored.  Then later still Bridie and I crossed Kingston Bridge and did a short explore of Kingston.  Came across a ballet dancer in the market square

(whose music later caused Bridie some effort on the internet trying to identify it- we think it is Larna Del Ray singing Young and Beautiful? ). There we might have stopped for a drink but the sunny evening had brought the masses out and we decided to retreat back to the relative peace of the shady side of the river on Prairie Oyster.

As it was, we were moored opposite Woody's and spent the evening until quite late very aware of the celebrations, music and other activities going on on the opposite bank of the river.

07-18 Molesley on River Thames

Friday 17th July:  Spent a very active morning today sweeping and then scrubbing down the roof of Prairie Oyster.  Long overdue we did not realize how dirty it was until we started.  Once clean I applied some cure rust to a number of blips in the cream paintwork.  Had lunch and then set off upstream to  retrace our route to the new (1935) Desborough cut where we headed back down stream to Sunbury lock where we stopped to buy our 7day license to make us legal again. On down stream we proceeded to Molesley where we found the river was in preparation for a regatta at the weekend.  We wanted to moor on the Surrey bank opposite Platt's Eyot for Tesco and ignored the red buoy's (which would have had us in the trees) heading for a mooring opposite Port Hampton and the old Thorneycroft boat building sheds.   I turned back up  river to moor and totally underestimated the power of the flow combined with the wind which had picked up during our trip.  Ended up coming alongside a large barge and had to push off to get back across the other side of the channel.  Moored up and  I touched up the spots I had cure rusted earlier on the roof.  We then chilled out for a while before going off to a local Tesco with Molly (the trolley)!    Replenished stocks in the wine and beer store as well as general food stuffs.

Saturday 18th July:   Got up reasonably early.  At least it was before 9am and the first races of the regatta!  We generally chilled out all day watching the Regatta and only took the dogs out late afternoon walking down past Garrick's temple and Astoria (belongs to Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd). After returning to PO we made a second trip to Tesco for perishables and bits and pieces we had been unable to carry on our first trip.  Despite the regatta site boasting a beer tent and a choral event in the evening we failed to make an appearance until too late to enjoy either!

07-16 Shepperton on the River Thames

Thursday 16th July:  First item on the agenda today was to reverse up river and turn into Pyrford Marina onto the services.  Filled water tank, emptied loo, purchased gas and diesel.  Then reversed out and set off down river through New Hall and Coxes Locks.  Moored up just above Weybridge Town Lock and Bridie went into town to do a Waitrose shop for essentials. Once back and unpacked we had cup of tea and a sandwich for lunch before setting off down the lock and onto Thames Lock where we returned our River Wey windlass before descending onto the Thames.  Took the old channel to Shepperton and found a nice mown grass mooring not far from the church and cricket ground.  Spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out by the boat in rather humid cloudy conditions with the occasional burst of sunshine.  Spent the late evening watching a spectacular thunderstorm approach and pass overhead.

07-15 The Anchor Wisley on the River Wey

Tuesday 14th July:  Another grey day.  Rained overnight not much, but enough to make a mess of my clean windows and the boat sides (the down side of being moored under a tree).  Made ready to move and set off down through the flood lock and about a mile further on to Pyrford Lock where we watered up and emptied loo and then locked down with Lord Sooty from the Caldon canal (must see if Mrs Salt will rent us a mooring for £90 a year)!  Lord Sooty carried on heading for the Thames whilst we moored just beyond the entrance to Pyrford Marina.  Had lunch at the Anchor and then walked dogs along the towpath as far as Parvis Wharf with a brief diversion crossing over the London Orbital Road (M25) watching the traffic hurtling along the dual 4 lane highway making a horrendous noise and spoiling the otherwise  idyllic Wey Valley countryside.

Wednesday 15th July: Mainly grey but rather humid day with some sunny spells.  This morning we booked a taxi for the short trip down Wisley Lane to the RHS gardens. In places the lane is rather narrow for cars let alone pedestrians and it circumnavigates the golf course before entering the RHS complex of car parks.  Had an excellent day exploring the gardens and only saw part of it (lot's more to see) it must be just about the best garden experience we have ever had.  Having walked our feet off we booked a taxi back to The Anchor about 5:30pm with the intention of eating out tonight.

07-13 Walsham Meadow on the River Wey

Saturday 11th July:  Having decided to move on today (not least because we are almost out of milk) we made ready first thing and set off for Triggs Lock.  Just as we pushed off another boat came into view heading downstream so we were able to go into the lock and wait for company.  It was a hire boat from Farncombe who were travelling very slowly!  However it helped to share the lock and we were soon on our way to Worsfold flood lock.  Not far beyond we stopped at Cartbridge outside the pub gardens so that I could go down to the village for a mini shop at McColls (mental note avoid McColls unless it is the only choice) I had a short shopping list and managed to come back without about a third of the items on my list!  Back at the boat I followed the example of the chap moored behind us and set to to wipe down the port side of the boat and clean the windows as we were well covered in dust that had been rained on.  That completed and coffee drunk we moved on to the water point the other side of the bridge at Cartbridge wharf (Note resisting the call of the New Inn).  Here we filled with water and I repeated the exercise of cleaning down the boat sides and windows on the starboard side of PO while we waited.  Once full we moved on through Broadmead cut and down to Papercourt Lock where we had to wait for a boat to descend

and two to come up before we could pass through.  We had hoped to moor in the meadow beyond the lock which David and Bridie had walked through on our journey south. However there were several boats already moored and the remaining spots were either occupied by people picnicking or fishing or too shallow or too overgrown to contemplate. Also we were aware of the herd of cows making their way up the towpath!  So we made our way under the road bridge, past the site of an old mill and Newark Abbey

to Newark Lock where we found nb Clara waiting to enter and another boat about to exit.  The skipper of Clara asked us to exit first (thank you) and we rounded a bend and found a shady mooring

before Walsham Flood Lock.

nb Clara having a large number of solar panels on the roof would not have wanted to moor under the tree anyway!


Sunday 12th July: It rained overnight and was quite warm and humid which might help explain our lack of sleep as neither of us could get to sleep and resorted to a cup of tea and a biscuit in the small hours.   It was quite a grey day all round no sign of any blue sky or sun all day with odd spots of rain and light showers and a warm breeze.  I took dogs a walk up the meadow past Newark Lock as far as the road bridge taking a photo of the old priory which is on private land.

The afternoon was still grey and dismal with no sign of sky or sun all day. Late afternoon as we prepared to go off with the dogs we received a call to tell us our son and daughter in law had been involved in a motor accident on the A66 and taken to Darlington Hospital but were about to be discharged.  Now being so far south and on a boat doesn't seem such a good idea!  Our younger son rang to say he was heading north from Reading to look after their dogs and them when they got out of hospital.

Monday 13th July: Another grey and miserable day to match our mood. Phone calls from both sons this morning updating us on progress.
This afternoon we took the dogs for a walk down to the flood lock and then out to the church at Pyrford built c1140

via a rather narrow and busy lane.

We had a look inside and talked to chap learning to play the organ and then managed to find a footpath back across the fields eventually arriving at the towpath via Pigeon House bridge and thus back up to the flood lock again.  This meant passing this property opposite the towpath related to John Donne  see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne

07-10 Triggs Lock on the River Wey

Wednesday 8th July: Another Grey morning but the rain didn't arrive until after we got underway.  We then had squally showers, never really amounting to much, but the wind got strong enough to make use of the umbrella impossible whilst steering. Down two locks today and managed to find a secluded mooring just before Wareham's bridge

in front of Triggs Lock near the village of Send.  Not far across the flood meadow from here is the River channel and Send Church.
We had lunch and then took the dogs walking down the towpath past Triggs lock and Worsfold gates to the New Inn where we had lunch with David last week.  This time we just had a drink before facing the return trip to the boat for our evening meal

Thursday 9th July: Mini heatwave today, dry, warm to hot and very enjoyable. We stayed we we are enjoying the peace - no traffic, no railway, few walkers and cyclists, about six boat movements and a few canoes.  Took dogs for a walk back up the towpath to the bridge with the entrance to Sutton Bank (used to belong to Paul Getty).
Once back at PO set to sorting out the washing machine which had lost a nut off one of the bolts holding the door hinge on.  First time we have removed the washing machine completely from its housing since it was installed about seven years back! Had to remove top and get hand down to back of the door to put new nut on (added locking nuts for good measure - hopefully).  Bridie then did a quick wash to prove all still working ok.
This afternoon just chilled out enjoying the ambiance,  a peaceful river, fantastic view, ducks and solitary swan (we named him Solo)

- fantastic!
The river here is quite clear and we could look over the side of the boat watching the reeds and fish in the water.

Friday 10th July:  Another glorious day. Decided to stay put and enjoy!   This morning we walked the dogs across the meadow and over the footbridge across the river to Send Church

 visible through the trees.  Unfortunately the church was locked and although a notice cheerfully gave details of the way to the Vicarage to get the key and warned that arriving in a removal van might not be welcome(!) we decided it was too warm to bother.  On returning we mainly chilled out on the boat and caught up with mail and blog etc. 

07-07 Dapdune Wharf at Guildford on the River Wey

Tuesday 7th July:  Mixed weather today with storm clouds threatening, sunny periods and slight showers.  We made ready to set off and have a short cruise into Guildford.  The weather being as it was Millmead park was not as busy as yesterday and we hardly had an audience at the lock this time. Through Town Bridge and past the only crane in Britain that is operated by a treadmill

we arrived at Dapdune Wharf to find it empty except for an ongoing police exercise involving numerous officers on the towpath, a rubber dinghy with two men and a dog on board circulating on the river and a helicopter hovering overhead. Undeterred we turned to face up river interrupting progress and moored on the wharf!
We used the services first and whilst filling with water nb Jolly Badger arrived, they were on their way to Godalming, but checking they had a reserved mooring for tomorrow.  Heard from them that all our debates about the Basingstoke  canal were for nothing as it has now been closed due to lack of water.
We had lunch and saw this barge loaded with stone heading from Godalming to the National Trust Workshops by Worsfold Gates (flood lock).

In the afternoon  we went for a quick shop at a local Esso petrol station before going into Guildford for another general wander around the old town. After 'doing' the shops and starting to think about food the heavens opened for a brief shower and we decided to get back to the boat.

07-06 St Catherines Lock Shalford on the River Wey

Sunday 5th July: A decidedly cooler start to today having had showers overnight.  We decided to take a walk to explore a little of the Wey and Arun canal along the line of the old railway track which crosses the river at the top of Broadford meadow. In fact we did not not find too much to see of the canal itself one turnover bridge and one short section in water although rather green and smelly!  How ever we did have a very pleasant walk cutting through Hunt Nature Park by the side of Cranleigh Waters and passing through the well presented site of the old Bramley and Wonersh station

near to where a train was blown up during WW2.

Having reached the site of the old Birtley canal bridge near to  Birtley Green we let the dogs have their ration of biscuits and water while we tucked into ours and then retraced our footsteps to Bramley and had a drink at the Wheatsheaf and then collected a carton of milk from the local shop.  Once back at PO Bridie put the kettle on whilst I made us ready to depart.  Given the possibilities of more showers we had decided it might be better to be moored up on the other side of the rather low Broadford bridge.  So we set off in bright and hot sunshine passed the entrance to the old Wey and Arun canal under the bridge and the rather unusual girder railway bridge carrying the branch into Shalford and then down St Catherines Lock.  Here we reversed into the weir stream and moored up beside the lock.

Monday 6th July: Today was again warm and sunny but there was some cloud and a breeze which meant that it did not get too hot.  Again we set off with the rucksack for a walk this time following the towpath into Guildford for a visit to the Castle gardens

 and a general wander round the river area rather than the town itself.  Had lunch by the river in the White House (or at least sitting out in the garden).  The dogs helped us to enjoy the meals by assisting!   Walked back early afternoon and chilled out by the boat listening to the wier stream as well as background railway noises coming from nearby Shalford junction.