Denver Sluice

We had a schedule to meet today: the tide at Salters Lode lock which meant we needed to be there as soon after midday as possible. Andrew rose early and made a quick trip into the shops at March for a paper and then set off by 7:30.

The first stretch went very well and we were ahead of our times when we reached Marmont Priory lock. (It turned out that ee should have booked in here as well, despite what the relief Lock keeper told us at Stanground - but it did not cause any delay. A couple of full length narrow boats had just passed through the opposite way.

The morning was very overcast and a chilly wind was blowing so plenty of extra clothes required. the next section, beyond the lock, was narrower and slowed us down with weed regularly having to be 'thrown' off the prop.

Not surprising given the flat landscape but there are quite a number of wind farms to be see from the navigation. We also passed over the Millicourt Aqueduct where another drainage system passes underneath.

As we passed through Upwell we saw an interesting collection of buildings: modern nondescript houses in between much older buildings - it seems that Upwell/Outwell were well-municipalised in the early part of the last century. Just before the main bridge at Upwell we spotted a specialist cake shop, advertising today's special as savoury miffins. Andrew jumped off an returned with six tasty muffins along with a Victoria sponge - which we later discovered was also excellent.

For the next hour, progress was very much slower as the channel narrows down to little more than one-way narrow boat traffic only. We were glad that we had some slack in our timings to allow for the unexpected. However, we were reassured when we phoned the lock keeper from the last significant way point (Nordelph)

We arrived about 12:20 and joined the queue for the lock. The keeper here works in conjunction with the one at Denver Sluice, letting one boat in each direction at a time. Half an hour later it was our turn - the keeper was very chatty and happy to explain everything so the time passed quickly. The outer gate is new and seemingly high tech. However, it was reported that it is less reliable than the old style gate which was much simpler!

Exit from the lock is not straightforward. The immediate channel is at an angle downstream so that the front of the boat catches the river stream before the rear end is able to make the turn. Not a time for taking it slowly! because today was quite a high tide, the level at the maximum leaves inadequate clearance under the bridge over the lock so it is only possible to pass boats on the falling tide.

We made it without a problem and soon arrived upstream at Denver Sluice, a much large lock. Shortly after leaving the lock we pulled into an EA Mooring for a much needed lunch, including a second round of those tasty muffins!

No more locks today as we cruised up the wide and often very straight, Great River Ouse. There was very little traffic on the move - almost more rowers out from Ely than motor boats!

By now the sky had cleared and the afternoon was very sunny, bright blue but with a cooling breeze when steering the boat. At the front it was almost too hot - certainly time for sun tan lotion.

The facilities at Denver and at Littleport are no longer available so we decided to carry on to Ely where we also expected to be able to fill up with fuel. It was just after six when we arrived at the water point and sanitary station. There was no room to moor here so we went a short distance to the main town moorings for the night, with the fuel station on the other side, ready for us in the morning. We plan to walk into the city centre before leaving, collecting yet another cathedral!

Whilst the evening meal was being prepared, Christine went to take an initial look at the cathedral from a distance, seeing how it is set on slightly rising ground.