After several eventful days we are now on a very peaceful mooring along the River Wey close to Ripley.  There is a chicken curry cooking on the stove and the sun is shining, what more could anyone ask for.

Tonight's mooring on the River Wey, Ripley

Tonight's mooring on the River Wey, Ripley

After our evening with friends we decided to stay on at |Cassiobury Park and spent a couple more nights there, visiting the funfair, without the dogs and finding walks with the dogs.  Graham has long been hankering for a particular type of Dutch barge called a Tjalk, having fallen into conversation with a guy who has recently brought one over from Holland he was invited for a look round.  He was somewhat disconcerted to discover that there is limited headroom inside and that he had to literally crawl on his hands and knees to reach some of the areas.  Might have to rethink that idea then!

Faery house discovered by Graham when walking the dogs.  I think maybe the Little Grey Men may have lived here!

You can still have a garden when you live on a boat!

Not often you see divers in the canal!!

Lovely mooring just north of Uxbridge

 We stayed In Brentford for two days prior to setting out on the Thames on Monday.  Very good visitor moorings, but somewhat spoiled as sadly some mindless cretin sprayed graffiti on the side of several boats ours included.  The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police, who were excellent with their response.  Although obviously very little can be done.  Fortunately Graham managed to remove it all.  Took some photographs but won't be posting them as it is not something I wish to dwell on.

We left Brentford via Thames Lock at 1300 on a chilly and windy Monday.  My first impressions of the Royal River is that you can keep it.  However think this may be partly due to weather conditions so will have to suspend judgement for now.

A selection of pictures from the Thames

Turned onto the River Wey about 5:30 Monday so a long day.  We were given a warm friendly welcome by the National Trust guys at the lock.  So far enjoying ourselves although it is somewhat frustrating that the locks are 13 foot wide.  So need to open both gates to enter and exit, but can't share locks with another boat.  Not that we've seen many other boats so far.  The plan is to cruise to the end to Godalming and then take our time coming back.

Coxes Mill on the River Wey

Pair of Egyptian Geese with nine goslings opposite last nights mooring at Coxes Mill