The day began very grey but at least we did not have the thunder storms that had been forecast for us yesterday. They are now thought likely tomorrow!
We set off early as, at this stage, our plan was for Mike to catch a train late morning to go over to the marina where we have left our car and bring it back here so that, if we wish, we could make trips away from the navigations. The photo shows the narrow channel that connects the river to the large lake of the country park.
We had just one, lock today but the size of the accompanying sluices is an indication that we now move onto a much larger beast, having so far travelled on what seemed quite a modest river. As we arrived a group of firefighters arrived on a familiarisation visit and they were quite please to see a boat actually passing through. It is juts possible to see one of them as we leave the lock behind us.
Part way we passed a site marked as a sculpture park so we presume that this is not some abandoned wreck but an intentional work of art! According to a local newspaper, it is the only new piece specially commissioned for the park - and children are encouraged to climb over it!
We knew that were were close to our immediate destination when we reached the series of bridges - beginning with a footbridge over to the Nene Valley Railway, followed by three mainline rail bridges. We could be definite about the purpose of at least one of them!
These were followed by the main town bridge - at least the third that has been built on this important site.
On what is called Peterborough Embankment, just beyond the town bridge, there is along stretch of good moorings, seemingly unrestricted in length of stay. We initially pulled onto the service point and found that, despite fears expressed by a boater we met a few days ago, at least the pump out and drinking water facilities were functional. Of course, a pump out is of no use to us and the block where the elsan disposal is was being re-furbished and a painter was hard at work inside. One of the team did assure us that it would be ready by this evening.
The site on the opposite bank is undergoing extensive re-devleopment and two large apartment blocks are being built (noisily!) and further site clearance is taking place alongside (also noisy)#
By the time we had filled with water we had made the decision to put off the car shuffle, at least for today. Christine talked to a local passer by and discovered that there is a place to park the car not far from the river edge.
Late morning we locked up and walked the short distance to Asda where we did a medium sized food re-stock. Alas, we forgot the wine and so had to return later in the afternoon to make up for the loss!
Back at the boat we had lunch and some chill-out time before locking up once more to walk back into the city centre.
We headed towards the cathedral, approaching it through the remains of the old cloisters and living quarters for the monks when this was an abbey. Most of the structure was plundered following Henry VIII's dissolution. We discovered later that the abbot at the time played a clever game and was the only abbot to be made a bishop in the cathedral that took over the church on the site.
Inside the cathedral has magnificent proportions. As it has not had added to it a divide between the choir and the nave, it is possible as soon as one comes through the main west door to appreciate its scale.
We will not attempt a systematic rehearsal of the history of this building, nor its abbey that preceded it, but rely on some of the photos we were able to take as we wandered around.
The hanging crucifix dates from the 1970's and was designed by George Pace, interestingly the architect who designed the chapel at Keele University that was built and opened when we were both undergraduates.
The ceiling is very ornate but rather hard (at least for those of us with neck issues) to admire by looking up at it. Thankfully a mirror has been provided which allows all of us to admire the artwork.
The choir.
The regularity of the day's cycle of prayer and worship was vital to the good order of a medieval abbey. This clock is very early and was made without a face. Its purpose was to chime the half hours and call the monks to their next service.
The only part of the main building that cannot be seen from the nave is the New Building, constructed in 1500 and was the last major part to be added - hence its name. it has a fan vaulting ceiling and today is used to assemble large processions before a service commences.
This sculpture is called St Peter leaves the boat to meet Jesus. It was carved in 1991 from an oak that was brought down in the storm of 1987.
Back outside the bright blue sky offered the right backdrop for us to admire the enormous west facade of the cathedral.
We wandered he shopping streets and saw both the Guildhall and the Town Hall buildings. Christine also checked out Mountain Warehouse and eventually came away with a pair of sandals, mainly for wear on the boat.
3.5 Miles - 1 Lock
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