07-04 Shalford on the River Wey

Friday 3rd July: Had a leisurely morning and Bridie managed another trip to Sainsburies (we are moored alongside the car park so she couldn't resist!) to get some of the perishables we didn't get yesterday (or forgot).  Moved round nb Clara moored next to us to get onto the water point and set off down river about mid day.  Batteries already reasonably topped up this morning and not going far. We descended Catteshall lock on our own with a day boat moored on the lock landed facing down river which followed us after I picked Bridie up from the other lock landing opposite Farncombe boatyard.

Gentle cruise down the Wey to Unstead lock which we got ready and let the day boat enter first.  Shared the work of closing gates and opening paddles but conversation limited as they were East European and we didn't understand.   We both trickled down river and moored up on opposite banks of the river just before the junction with the Wey and Arun canal, we against the towpath on Broadford meadow.  Not much in the way of habitation to be seen but not far from road and railway. Spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out watching the passing joggers and cyclists getting hot and bothered. Bridie attacked both dogs with scissors!

Saturday 4th July:   Staying put, catching up with online activities - banking, blogging, mail and the like! Still very warm though again we had a minor shower overnight. Went for a walk as far as the railway along the old railway track with the dogs this afternoon and saw a deer in Broadford meadow then on our return I disturbed what I think was a grass snake by the boat and it slid into the water and swam off. This steamer passed us this morning and came back this afternoon.