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.