Well we spent 3 days pottering about by Frimley Green.  Luckily though only a small place there was a car spares place there so Paul was able to order us a replacement fan belt.  He replaced ours last week when we were on the Wey and he likes to keep a spare.  We can run the engine without it, so not like a car, but we don’t charge our batteries.  Although this time of year our solar panels do a very good job of recharging.  He also bought several fuses as we had a problem with our water heater! Ah well nothing too major!  So on Friday we again paired with the same boat to travel down the locks.  The boat was called Lady Linda of Pryford and on board were Linda, Lindsey and Max.  So for 2 days Paul had his own harem of 4 women!! Friday we had 17 locks although thankfully this way no rain.  With another 11 locks yesterday.  There was a lot of weed, the canal had a green surface with all the duck weed.  Lady Linda cut a course but it was all back by the time we followed her through.  Last night we moored near Weybridge and had a walk into the town.  This morning we have come out on to the Thames and tonight are moored at Laleham.  We only did 2 locks on the Thames but decided to stop about 3.30 rather than mooring overnight in Staines. 

Navigators Notes:- The Basingstoke is almost a canal of two halves, from the start at Woodham to the top of Deep Cut it is very shallow, beware if you are more than 2’6” draught and Very, Very, weedy, but from Frimley it is weed free and very pleasant. It is such a shame that it is such an effort to get up and down the lock flights with so much effort. Don’t be put off   trying though, especially if you are shallow draughted and don’t carry anything on top.