Sunday 5 February 2017

Basingstoke Canal & Wey Navigation


18th December

Ten people came for the walk on Sunday keen for some exercise before loosening our belts at Christmas. It was mild for the time of year but damp although we had no rain. Starting from Sheerwater Road we walked up the Basingstoke Canal going under the M25 and then crossing the Wey Navigation. We then walked down the Wey until we reached Murray's Cart Bridge. As this is now closed we saw neither carts nor anyone else crossing here. At this point we took a track left which went over the M25. On the far side we encountered a field with pigmy pigs, llamas and other farm animals all happily living together. No sign of old MacDonald.
We walked on to Byfleet Church walking through the graveyard and stopped for a break at the end. We came out on to the road which became a path which led us under the M25 for the third time. The track us to Wisley where we swung by the church and into Wisley Golf Course. We succeeded in finding our way through the course, not the easiest of things to do as I have found in earlier attempts, and back to the Wey Navigation at Pyrford Lock.
Resisting calling in at the Anchor we were soon told by a barge coming in the opposite direction that we were going the wrong way to the pub. Nevertheless we pressed on crossing the Wey at Dodd's Bridge and following paths through fields until we came out at Holybank Road and a walk through the private estate. We soon came to the A245 and had a discussion about the best route across. We decided eventually to use the crossing which was a great idea until we realised it was not working so we stepped out and fortunately the traffic stopped.  Back to the cars we went our separate ways, all I believe intact.

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