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Loops & Logs - Two Days on the Wey

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DAY 1 – The Gentlest of Bimbles.


Faced with possibly the warmest Easter on record, combined with cloudless skies and a mere breath of wind, it would have been daft not to take to the water.

With a very loose plan arranged, Maj and I met at the Tannery in Send. We launched onto the Broadmead Cut flood relief channel to avoid a lock portage and headed north east towards the confluence with the first natural river backwater of the day.





This was an ideal opportunity to carry out sea trials on my first homemade paddle – still a work in progress, but I was pleasantly surprised how well it performed.




We then turned upstream on the much-blogged Gresham Mill loop. Samson and Delilah, the feathered guardians of this domain are currently nesting at the top of the loop, so I decided to give them some space today and take the upstream option. A bit more paddling work involved, but you get to enjoy the delights of this beautiful stretch twice.







We turned around shortly before reaching Old Woking and let the gentle flow take us back on the most idyllic stretch of water in the area, arriving many meanders later at the traditional lunch spot of Woking Palace. Today, we chose to sit in the sun by the river bank, making the most of the tranquil surroundings. A spectacularly long luncheon break was taken, even by SotP standards. Time ceased to matter as we soaked up the sun’s warmth, munched a leisurely lunch and played a few tunes on my old guitar.






Suddenly, our reverie was interrupted by the arrival of two familiar faces in green boats. Graham and Nick had arrived to join us on the next leg of our journey.




Graham sporting his special smile, reserved only for SotP blog photos…





…and Nick attempting the longest river wheelie record.





Together, we drifted back down the final ½ mile of the mill loop, slipping down the short stretch of navigation to the short weir portage marking the start of the Newark Priory backwater. This weir is due to be renovated shortly, but thankfully the work hasn’t begun yet.






This stunning little loop is really special, enhanced by the backdrop of the ruined Augustinian Priory and a couple of superb eddies.








A short foray up the Bourne Stream followed, to visit Maj’s favourite place, where carpets of bluebells cover the steep banks of this tranquil waterway.












All this gentle drifting in the warm sun was taking its toll on our limbs, so we took a short leg-stretching break to munch on Graham’s superb scones. Maj was considering using a swing rope to affect a new boat exiting technique. Naturally, I was ready with the camera for the inevitable soggy disaster, but at the last moment he saw the flaws in his plan and bottled out!







Nick and Graham had an evening pub engagement (for which they were running rather late), so it was time to head home. Beyond the portage of Newark Lock, there are two options for the return leg, so a race was born – the navigation via Papercourt Lock and the Broadmead Cut with no portages. Maj and I took the latter with the taste of victory on our lips. Sadly, my old limbs couldn’t keep up with Maj’s frantic pace, so he arrived back first to claim victory.




The sore losers decided that Maj had cheated by paddling faster than normal SotP pace, but it was later revealed that Graham had slipstreamed a narrowboat, giving him an unfair advantage. A public enquiry will decide the outcome…

DAY 2 – The Wey through the Trees.

Saturday had a more defined plan – to attempt to clear a navigable path at the top end of the Bowers loop and any further blockages, followed by a spin around the Triggs loop for lunch. We met near Bowers Lock and paddled the 200 yards to the weir at the top of the loop. This backwater is remarkable as it meanders well over a mile through meadows and woodland and yet its start and finish are less than 500 yards apart.



Most blogs of this loop begin with a river left portage over a barbed wire fence and around a large impassable blockage, which has been there for some time. Graham had previously explored a river right option, which we tried today. Dragging the boats a short 30 yards through woodland brought us to a steep, but passable put in. The problem lay 20 yards further on, where a long, curved tree trunk lays at water level, with numerous boughs still growing vertically from it.
We carried Graham’s boat to the blockage and launch him above the tree, where he attempted to cut the trunk using a chainsaw blade attached to handles. The problem here was the inability to plant a foot on the tree whilst sawing from a tippy boat and although some progress was made, it was not practicable. Instead, with the help of a pulley system and a hand saw, Graham managed to remove a large stump by the bankside. Once assorted loose debris had been cleared, it was possible to hop out and push the boat over the submerged trunk and into the eddy beyond. In higher levels, it may be possible to shoot over without getting out.






Anyway, after an hour of hard graft by Graham, with supporting efforts by the rest of us, it was deemed do-able. Back at the initial launch spot, Nick rigged an abseil line to help us down the slope (although with care, this would be possible without) and we took to our craft and negotiated the fast flowing chicane to reach the cleared route.





All through, we rested for a bit in the eddies and gulped water supplies.






Eventually setting off down this stunning little backwater, we encountered only one small blockage, which Graham speedily trimmed.






Passing under the Burpham Court farm bridge, we were suddenly blinded by the approach of yellow and blue tandem Silverbirch canoes. Amazingly, on the same day and at the same time, Paul, Yvonne, Helena and George had set off up this little-travelled loop from the other end.




As they continued upstream, we carried on past the beautiful trees at the farm and on under the road bridge, where the very shallow water formed a faster riffle.







The rest of this loop meanders through ancient woodland, twisting and turning amongst huge, gnarly trees. The sense of back and beyond is palpable here, even with the A3 a few hundred yards away and Guildford town centre a mere 2.5 miles away. This loop hugs the border of the vast Sutton Place estate (of Getty family fame, but now apparently the home of an oligarch), but this little stretch of forgotten water remains almost lost in time.












A couple of further tree encroachments exist on this stretch, but they were easily passable and added interest. However, in higher levels, they may be more hazardous.





We were in no rush, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, so were not surprised when the tandem teams caught us up on their return trip. Back on the navigation, we all gently paddled downstream, aware of the noisy A3 close by, but not bothered by it. A couple of swimming grass snakes crossed our bows. It’s so good to see them when our indigenous snakes are in decline.






Reaching Broadoak Bridge, we all made the short portage to the top of the Triggs loop. Here we left Team Silverbirch, as they were lunching there, and set off down to a more private lunch spot a half mile further on.




Our second extensive lunch break of the weekend followed, with Graham providing the seasonal chocolate mini eggs to accompany biscuits and flapjack. Yet again, it was no surprise when the bright yellow and blue boats overtook us once more.




Suitably relaxed and somewhat stuffed, we set off down the remainder of this lovely stretch of water. At Triggs Lock, we turned back up the navigation for the 2 mile stint back to the cars, pausing for a leg stretch at Broadoak Bridge (causing passing interest from the Sutton Place security guards, as it is private land).

Paddling up the navigation wasn’t exactly arduous work, but after an energetic day in the unseasonably hot sun, I was pleased to reach journey’s end.







Thanks to Maj, Nick and Graham for an excellent two days paddling and an introduction to the lovely Bowers loop for me.


Until next time…..
Jim
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