A Wey Day

At the end of May on the Bank Holiday Monday, I joined some new friends Damian, Kay, CJ, Craig and Liz, (some of whom I met before through a local meetup.com group) on a boat trip on the River Wey in Guildford.

They started their boat trip early in the morning from Farncombe Boat House using a hired barge boat, which was big enough for ten people. I decided to join them later on once their boat had reached Guildford. I’ve been to Farncombe Boat House before with my friend Frog, which you can read about here.

Farncombe Boat House

Before I got on the boat, they got stuck near the riverbank in some reeds, they used some poles to push themselves and the boat back out of it.

CJ and Craig using a pole to get the boat out of the reeds

I got a call from Damian when he was approaching Guildford. As I live along the river, I walked along the riverbank to meet them by the floodplain next to Shalford Park.

I saw their boat come round the bend of the River Wey, and they shouted and waved to me.

The boat approaching

When they were near me, they threw some ropes so I could pull the boat towards the bank of the river. As soon as the boat touched the bank, I jumped on to the back of the boat.

Kay was steering the barge boat from the back.

Kay steering the boat with Liz

CJ, Kay and Liz near Guildford Boat House

Kay steering her way through a lock

It was a good little boat, painted in dark red and black, and named Roman. Inside, there was kitchen, complete with oven, fridge, table and chairs, a space to sit in, a toilet, other facilities, and plenty of beer, wine and food to share round. Everyone on the boat had brought along lots of food and drink to share. It was really nice to chill out on the river that day.

Damian joking around

Craig enjoying the boat trip

Damian is a funny guy

Damian gurning

We went through a number of locks and they took turns of opening them.

One of the locks

Liz steering the boat through the lock

CJ opening the gate to a lock

Liz opening a lock

Climbing out of the lock

Lots of nice food and plenty of beer in the boat

Kay waving

Damian steering

There was lots of wildlife, such as mayflies, ducks, and cows on the riverbank.

Ducks

A bull

An angus cow

The boat past my flat and I pointed it out to them.

We also past Woodbridge Meadows with its sculptures. The buried giant with its arms sticking out can be seen behind CJ.

Spot the giant in the background

Lots of other interesting boats past us on the way.

I had a go driving the boat too, it was fun.

Aye, aye captain

Ahoy!

Our destination was a pub along the river called The Rowbarge.

We eventually reached the Rowbarge and moored there.

Craig joking around mooring the boat

Damian posing on the boat

Inside the pub, we enjoyed eating lunch and having a few drinks.

Me enjoying fish and chips

Kay enjoying her burger and onion rings

After our meal, we got back on the boat and headed back towards Farncombe Boat House.

Craig eating a pie

Damian and Liz

Craig steering

I had another go at driving the boat.

There was a funny incident of Craig messing about at the front of the boat, so I steered the boat into some low hanging Willow tree branches, and he ducked down just in time, Damian videoed this, which you can see below.

River Wey fun

We reached Farncombe Boat House around 5pm. Damian’s girlfriend Liz kindly gave us a lift back to Guildford.

I enjoyed being on the river, and it was a great friendly crowd to spend a day with.

Posted by Barry on 04 August, 2010 9:36 AM | 0 comments | Permalink