Country Churches

Easter 2004

We set off in seven cars for the short trip to Guildford. Tony towed a big trailer which had loads of food and drink as we didn't want to have to stop and buy anything once we were under way in our boats. There were three boats, Guildford Monarch, Guildford Emperor and Frensham. Emperor had mainly Link group members, but all in all we were 23 children and 7 adults.

Our start was a bit delayed as some people lost their way round the back streets of Guildford, but eventually we set off doing Millmead lock before heading out in to the Surrey countryside. We moored eventually at about 7 pm in a field with horses in. One horse took a liking to rope and kept trying to eat our mooring rope. He became over friendly and was a bit of a problem. We ate a chicken casserole (yummy) and then tried out Tony's music quiz. After a lot of late night chatter, we eventually all fell asleep about midnight, but only after Jane had told us to shut up once or twice!

Tuesday was another dry day and we set off towards the point where the Wey goes into the Thames. We stopped for a brief lunch of 'soup and bits' (this became our daily midday snack) and eventually reached Thames lock far later than we had planned. Also we could not turn the boats round as we had planned without going out on to the Thames which was a bit of a problem as we had not intended to go onto the Thames. Add to that the fact that the lock keeper wanted to knock off so we couldn't get back into the Wey that night so we found ourselves having to remain on the Thames overnight. We all took on water and went out to turn on the Thames where we were confronted by an irate sculler who shouted quite rude things at Tony. We ignored him and moored on a sharp bank where we tried to bar-b-cue. Jane did the cooking and kippered herself at the same time. She had to go and shower to get rid of the smokey smell. Another late night but we all slept very well with the boats' movement on the water lulling us to sleep. We didn't want to get up in the morning.

Wednesday was a lovely warm day and the sun was streaming in the windows as we got up. We locked back into the Wey and started our long journey back towards Guildford. The combination of wind and sun whipped up quite a suntan. One of us overcame this by dropping in to the river for a quick swim!!! No names here.

The final bit of the day was really lovely with the sun setting over the woods, and those keen eyed ones among us spotting a variety of fairly rare wild life. Deer and owls, and masses of rabbits. We moored near Bowers lock and could hear the noise of the weir all night. Very restful. Spag Bol for supper followed by silly games.

Thursday again was a lovely day and we sailed on towards Guildford where we stopped just outside for a walk to the Spectrum sport complex. We had a two hour swim and the opportunity for a decent shower. We went back to the boat for lunch (soup and bits again!!) and then sailed on into Guildford where we had an hour to go shopping. Megan and Sophie were late back again! We sailed on through Guildford and out in to the wild lands beyond where we stopped to get ready for our Gala dinner at the Parrot Inn. We had to turn the boat round ready for our early morning dash back to the boatyard and this wasn't easy in a stiff breeze. We nearly clobbered a "Tupperware" boat (as Tony calls them).

Jane Cook and Rachel Shier joined us for the meal which was nice as it meant that all the youth club and link Group were present - first time ever. Kaylie had organised a presentation to our hard working adults and a little ceremony was carried out during dinner. After that it was back to the boats for a few more silly games and then to bed. This time all asleep very early. The fresh air was getting to us.

It was a very early morning start on the Friday but luckily Tony and the boys (James and Gareth) got up and did all that while we lay in bed listening to the sound of the engine and the boat chugging through the water. I suppose we should have felt guilty but we didn't!! We got back to the boatyard on time and, after an age de-storing the boats and getting the cars packed up we were away and home by 12 noon. Kaya was sick in Tony's car on the way home!

All in all it was all great fun. We all had turns steering and mooring the boat and Tony taught us a few tricks on canal boating. I hope we do it again one day.