Sunday 22nd July 2018

We set off in good time for Denver Sluice as we wanted to have a look around the complex. There were already a few boats moored and waiting for the correct tide conditions. We were one of four abreast and by locking time we had been joined by others.

It was obvious, even to us, that we would not be leaving at 2.30 which was the time we had been told. The tide was still going out and at its lowest the sandbanks were clearly visible. The lock exit is on the extreme right of the photo.

A colourful mosaic had been constructed to show the sluice but there was no information as to who had made it.

We finally entered the lock at 4pm and these photos show the guillotine gate in the down position and then up as we entered the lock.

We were going against the tide as we travelled the half mile downstream to Salter’s Lode lock and then had to make a left turn to enter the lock again missing below water sandbanks.

The concrete bars going above the lock can be clearly seen in this photo and we were right up to them when we left last Monday lunchtime.

Safely through we moored at Outwell for the night and in the garden opposite we had an illuminated statue for company!

Friday 20th August / Saturday 21st August 2018

Friday 20th August

Well, did anyone notice the deliberate mistake from yesterday? It wasn’t Peterborough which we entered but ELY ! I was writing too quickly and trying to post on free Wi-fi in Sainsburys. 

On Friday we had another Laundrette visit and have very clean clothes as the washing machine door would not open at the end of the cycle and we had to go through it again! Even then there were problems and a call to the service company was not too successful and I was getting more hysterical on the phone to them as I had visions of my clothes being stuck in the machine for days. We finally got the door open after the second cycle but the machine is definitely broken.

We then headed off to visit the Cathedral and to take a tour of the ground floor and Octagon tower. The guide said that it was very cold in winter as the only heating is by these Victorian heaters.

The main altar.

The Octagon tower was built to replace a square tower which fell down - probably because of building work on the cathedral as the foundations are not deep. As you ascend you reach some horizontal organ pipes which are too tall to be placed vertically.

Oak tree trunks, at least 300 years old when they were felled, were used to help support the roof.

There are paintings all around the top which can open like shutters.

Looking down shows that we have climbed quite a height.

On the roof even the lead has been beautifully  crafted.

Saturday 21st July

After looking  around Ely in the morning we filled with water and set off back along the Great Ouse to Denver Sluice thus beginning our journey back to the Marina.

The weather was perfect and we were able to enjoy drinks on the bank.

At Littleport we passed a regatta of cruiser boats although we are unsure what they were actually doing as they had some buoys in the water but seemed to be spending their time just sitting on their boats looking at other boats!

We moored later in the afternoon and had a seal come up to visit us. He came very close to the boats and other moorers said that often it comes on the bank. It must come up through the lock on the incoming tide but we will try to ask the guy at Denver Sluice for some more information when we pass through tomorrow.

Wednesday 18th /Thursday 19th July 2018

Wednesday 18th July

Decided to take the train from Littleport to Cambridge today. Had a touristy day going on a punt tour along the Backs and then on a red bus tour. Fun day and just a few photos of Cambridge.

Thursday 19th July 2018

Cruised into Peterborough today and had a quick look around. We will tour the cathedral tomorrow.

If you haven’’t solved the quiz, here is the answer.

Finally, we don’t know what Trolling is! Can anyone enlighten us?

Think that it will be a few days before we update another blog but hopefully not too long.

Tuesday 17th July 2018

Today we moved from the Middle Levels onto the Great Ouse. This involved some critical timings balancing tide height and time with the flow of water. On Monday evening we walked down to have a look at the Ouse from the lock exit. You can clearly see the mud bank which must be avoided and also the wooden posts on the left of the photo and the walkway on the extreme right.

We went back a few hours later and you can see the difference with the wooden stakes covered and the walkway flooded.

We had to wait until just after high tide when the river is starting to ebb. We entered the lock and the lock keeper started to let the water in to raise the level to that of the river.

As we started to rise it was obvious that we were not going to be able to exit until the river dropped more as we were going to hit the front beams! I ended up at the front keeping an eye on the roof line until it was safe to move forward into the river. Eventually we were able to leave and this is the view looking back. We had quite an audience from the boats that were due to follow us seeing how it was done. You can see how the level is now dropping as the posts are becoming visible.

About half a mile upstream is Denver Sluice where the gates were open for us and we sailed in. The lock is on the left.

This time we were going to go down from the tidal to the non tidal Ouse. Graham looking back whilst in the lock.

The gates opened and we were in a wide river where cruisers are definitely the preferred type of boat.

Some of the houses seemed to have been influenced by the Dutch style of architecture.

Just to finish today’s blog we have a little quiz for any readers. What do you think this notice is supposed to say?

At Littleport tonight and deciding when to enter Ely as you are only supposed to be there 48hours and we don’t want a £100 fine!

Sunday 15th July / Monday 16th July

Sunday 15th July

We left Peterborough mooring at 9am, filled with water and made our way to the Stanground Lock. We were booked to go through at 11.15am but the lock keeper said that the boat coming up had reported engine trouble so we could go through early - about 10.45am. We stopped at Whittlesey to buy a paper and to have lunch. Setting off again there was Ashline Lock to fill and then empty. I needed the expensive (£5) key to get into the compound but you could easily climb over the fence. I’ll be interested to see how many times I need to use it. The Nene / Ouse Navigation link belongs to the Middle Level Commissioners who have chosen to use different padlocks etc than the Environment Agency who control the other waterways in these parts.

There is not a lot to see here so anything and everything is worth a photograph. Ever wondered where your oven chips were manufactured? Wonder no more!

March Rotary Club have erected a sign to say that you are passing Greenwich Meridian which is interesting.

There are also Pill boxes which were built for defence during the 2nd World War.

We decided to call into the only Boat Yard on the link to fill with diesel. When we arrived it had closed for the day but you can see from our moorings that we will be first in line tomorrow morning!

Monday 16th July 2018

Off we set again on Monday morning but certainly didn’t take the road leading here. Well, it wasn’t Friday.

The Fenlands are very flat and the line of pylons could be seen spreading into the distance.

Some of the bridges on this section had very low headroom and here you can see the problem at Bridge 35.

Due to the camber of the road above the headlight didn’t make it!!!! We had to reverse out and are now trying to repair it. Luckily we don’t have any tunnels for over a week so hopefully we will have sorted the problem by then.

This house had originally been a mill. The shape is a bit of a giveaway.

Some people do have unusual things in their gardens.

We have arrived at Salter’s Lode Lock and as this is going to be quite an interesting experience I will detail it in the next Blog.

Saturday 14th July 2018

We have had a lovely day in Peterborough and it is much nicer than Northampton. (Carole, I hope that you are reading this!) The streets were cleaner and we saw street sweepers out keeping it looking good. When we looked out of the window this morning there were dozens of swans on the river. This one fancied a lie in until some rowers stirred it into life.

We walked up through the main shopping street and the first part was tree lined.

Cathedral Square has the Guildhall and St. John’s Church. Whilst in front of it the pavement water fountains were well used with children playing in the hot weather.

There is also a lovely 50m lido here next to the Theatre on the riverbank. You cannot really see in but I imagine that it has been doing a roaring trade in this hot weather.

In the afternoon we joined an excellent tour of Peterborough Cathedral. Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was buried here after her death and also Mary Queen of Scots after her beheading at Fotheringhay castle. Catherine of Aragon is still there but Mary’s body was moved by her son, James I, to London and is buried in Westminster Abbey.