We have finally left Guildford after a terrific thunderstorm last
night. I woke up about 2am and wasn’t
too sure if I could hear thunder rolling in or if it was Richard snoring!! We had gone to bed with the front doors open
(we are reverse layout) as it was so hot.
I quickly jumped out of bed (well quickish – it was 2am!) and shut the
doors. Then it started lightening, thunder
and very heavy rain. It must have gone
on for about half an hour. Muffin didn’t
seem to be too worried - he just lay beside me on the floor.
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| Suzanne and Mike |
We were having more visitors today so moved down to Millmead
again. This time my step-mother,
Suzanne, and her partner, Mike were coming.
They live in Farncombe but as we aren’t going down that way now they
came to Guildford and we met them at the Brittania pub just by Millmead
Lock. After a very nice lunch we took
them for a ride down to the Row Barge and back.
Boy was it hot but there has been just a slight breeze all day which has
been a great relief. They both seemed to
really enjoy it especially as they saw Suzanne’s nephew’s house which backs
onto the river! We came up through
Millmead Lock but both the mooring places above the lock were taken so Suzanne
and Mike jumped ship at the lock and we went up to the Rowing Club to wind for
the last time. We then went down
Millmead Lock AGAIN and finally left Guildford.
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| Guildford Mill |
Just below Millmead Lock is an old mill. Flour mills stood on this site from the early
middle ages until 1894. There was also a
fulling mill here when Guildford was an important wool town. In 1701 a water-powered pump was installed by
the mills to provide the town with piped water.
The present building was erected in 1771 and the western extension added
in the 1850s in an identical style.
After 1627, the mills were owned by the Poyle Charity Estate and the
profits used for the poor of Guildford.
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| The Bargeman on Guildford Town Wharf |
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| An interesting road name |
I have been visiting Guildford since I was a child for one reason or
another. We used to drive up the High
Street and I have always loved the clock which sticks out over the road from
the Guildhall. The story goes that a
London clock-maker, John Aylward, presented the clock to the Corporation of
Guildford in return for freedom to trade in the borough. The Guildhall was used in the 16th century as
a court room and in the 17th century as a council chamber. Guildford Corporation met in the upstairs
council chamber until 1931.
10.38 miles
6 locks
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