Sunday, 29 May 2011

Cruising and walking from Pyrford-Send

 I'm taking advantage of the bank holiday weekend to catch up on the blog - lots to tell you - so get comfy!
 20 minutes to 9 looking towards Pyrford Marina - lovely!
 Monday 23rd May we're leaving Pyrford - we've been in this area for 12 days and have thoroughly enjoyed the walking and especially meeting up with George's sister and family.
 Pyrford lock - what useless capstans - as you ascend the lock the rope slips off the top - although I do see now from the photo - George could have used that ring!
 ... so green ...
 ... country piles ...
 ... ancient summer houses ...
 ... pretty locks - Walsham flood gates here ...
 ... keeping away from the many weirs ...
 ... the wind is getting up and river is choppy!
 ... my goodness ... another boat on the move!
 ... Newark Priory ...
 ... and Newark Lock ...
 ... that's what I call a proper capstan ...
 ... and yet another boat on the move, arriving at the top of the lock.
These were local boaters and when we said that we proposed to moor just around the corner on the meadow they advised us against it as the wind was so strong.  He told us that although he had never moored here himself, other boaters have moored just above the lock landing to keep safe out of the wind.
... so we tucked in, although we weren't happy that we were obstructing the access slightly.
 After a bite to eat we decided to take a walk - George leaning against the wind at the spot we were going to moor up ...
 ... Egyption Geese are by far the strangest birds I've come across, you can hardly call them pretty!
 Tanyard Footbridge, Send - a clearing is being developed to make a very attractive sitting area ...
 ... George has the camera and spies this scarlet butterfly - but you'll have to look closely for it!
We continued to walk to the next bridge - High Bridge, Send and found the perfect mooring, so we turned around and went to collect Rock 'n' Roll ...
 ... and off we go again, past the meadows ...
 ... into Papercourt Lock - see those heavy chains - the lengths-person allocated to this stretch of river will lock these gates if the river rises too high ...
... some of these boats stay still for so long trees grow from their ropes!
Sorry no picture of our mooring at High Bridge!

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