We were by now ready to set off on our summer journey. Apart from the first part we really have no fixed ideas about where we will end up! We are not even sure when exactly we will return home.
Mike left the boat early to walk into town to pick up a paper, milk and a couple of other items from Tesco. It is about 25 minutes walk along Horse Drove road. At this time of year, the lack of tarmac makes it a very dusty places, especially when a vehicle passes by.
Before leaving we did the usual round of servicing but we were ready to set ourselves free at our usual 9.30. We managed to turn the boat within the marina so that we could emerge out onto Bill Fen bow first.
At the junction at the start of Bill Fen we were very close to one of the few Middle Level locks. However, we turned away from it on this occasion to make our way back to the main Middle Fen Link Route from Stanground to Salters Lode.. Maybe we will explore that way in the future but alas it is actually a dead end as far as we are concerned mainly because low bridges are in the way.
The journey was quite uneventful - the day started as if it was going to be as hot and cloudless as yesterday but the early promise soon gave way to quite a but of cloud and a light breeze, really comfortable cruising conditions.
Our speed varied somewhat depending on the depth and amount of lily growth. Fortunately no surface or blanket weed has taken hold so far so, as long as we kept a central course, the prop managed to keep remarkably clear. We only had to 'chuck back' once.
Arriving at the start of the Forty Foot Drain we turned left under a modern road bridge to keep on he Old River Nene up to Floods Ferry. After passing through Benwick we had a few miles that we have never cruised before (attentive readers will recall that at the end of lour last trip we managed to turn around just north of Benwick)
When we were here just over three weeks ago there was no active irrigation of the adjacent fields taking place but today we saw a number of pumps chugging away taking water from the fen to put on the crops.
Later we saw on piece of equipment that was aptly named Rain Maker although the full effect of it does not show up as spectacularly as it seemed in reality.
This waterway must have been considered rather strategic during the last war as the former pill boxes are often only short distances apart.
This pair of breeding swans are rather late - all the others are now proudly looking after their rapidly growing cygnets.
We had plenty of warning of White Fen Bridge as it was at the end of along straight - but would we fit under it? After coming almost to a stop we inched our way forward . . .
and, yes we would fit!
The navigation arcs around the large Greenvale AP Packing Centre - we could see its location some distance away with that huge radio mast and wind turbine.
What we were not prepared for was a light aircraft taking off close to the waterway!
Floods Ferry junction and we were back on the main Link Route - the way that newcomers are advised to try first before going 'off piste'
It was not long after 1 o'clock when we arrived at Fox Marina where we turned in to fill up with diesel. With so few places selling boat diesel we were quite well down, around a quarter full. Fortunately the price was really competitive. To get to the office to pay, Christine had to walk the gangplank!
From there it was a a short distance into March. The navigation passes alongside houses with gardens that stretch down to the water. The standard wild lilies we had ploughed through so far were now replaced with patches of more cultivated varieties.
The main town mooring was full when we arrived but we were able to reverse back under the road bridge to the other shirt moorings. Whilst they are overlooked by trees they are probably a bit quieter than being right next to the main road.
14.5 Miles - 0 Locks
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