The sun came out together with the shorts for the final passage through the last 11 locks at St Johns and Woodham. One of the most striking things about the Basingstoke is the light effect through the trees. All the staff and rangers have been so friendly and helpful and they have always arrived promptly and have the locks ready for us - with lock gates open or the locks full. In some ways it must be like how cruising used to be-only a few boats about and a sense of adventure in that you have to make the journey. Perhaps in this day and age we expect everything to be sorted for us and we therefore have no hassle - everything is on a plate. On The Basingstoke you have to work at it a bit but its well worth the effort if you are down this part of the world.
|
Our mooring in Woking outside the WWF UK headquarters-that's why there was a panda near the towpath!!! |
|
WWF building |
|
Either a weed cutter or a paddle boat
Some final views of The Basingstoke Canal |
|
A man moving his floating platform so he can do some repairs on his houseboat |
|
Approaching Woodham Junction-M25 on the bridge-we turn right for Guildford |
And to finish as we are now at Pyrford on the River Wey - some boat names