We set the alarm this morning - just as well as we were (surprisingly) both asleep when it went off and it still took a while to be properly alert! Although it is still very warm when we go to bed, overnight has generally been reasonably temperate.
The reason for the guaranteed start was so that we could get to St George' Church in Little Thetford (where we explored yesterday afternoon) for the morning service at 9.30.
The small area alongside the river at the downstream end of these moorings is called on the maps Chapel Hill. Various web sites refer to the fact that an early chapel was built here, at the point where there was a public ferry across to the opposite bank. There is a couple of dilapidated farm buildings now but we found nothing to betray its previous purpose.
This pink thatched cottage, now a private residence, was once a popular pub but we have not discovered when it closed. It was marked on the 1886 and 1950 maps.
Whilst this telephone box still remains, alas it no longer has a telephone in it. Perhaps it is being kept as an historical memory.
We again we had a warm welcome - almost everyone spoke to us before the service began and the chap we met yesterday immediately recognised us.
There were around 20 people there including three youngsters, with a good age range overall. The worship was led by a Reader from the Ely Group - an American working in business consultancy who had been here for quite some time - he preached very well and helped encourage the already friendly atmosphere. Afterwards we were offered tea, coffee and biscuits as well as a chat. Almost everyone seemed to have been to Cornwall or have a friend or relative living there!
At the edge of the village and the start of Chapel Hill lane there is a self-operated level crossing. Not long after we had come back through the gates we could here the warning siren and what seemed very soon afterwards a grain sped through.
We walked back to the boat and changed - not too speedily! - and set off from our mooring.
Shortly we reached Popes Corner where we took the right hand course towards Bedford.
The character of the river soon changed and became even more isolated, comparatively shallow and narrower.
At one point we saw a couple cutting reeds from their canoe. The quantity looked perhaps more for a hobby than for commercial purposes but good to see the practice kept alive.
Sadly the Stretham Steam Pumping Engine was not open today so, despite the extensive empty GOBA mooring outside we did not stop.
At times, here near the A10 and just after the Lazy Otter, the river is almost buried under the trees and shrubs.
About time these youngsters learned to find their own food!
At least these ponies were determined to keep in the shade.
But these two preferred a cooling bath - the black one was much further into the water but he moved out when she heard us coming.
It was almost half past two when we reached the GOBA mooring at Aldreth Drain, the last before Hermitage Lock and the short tidal section - although there is a listed mooring part way between there and the next lock. There was the possibility that the keeper might allow us to overnight at the lock - depends on circumstances but we felt that this was too early in the day to be asking for that.
It was also very much hotter even than the last few days and we were beginning to wilt. Touching bare metal (or even painted metal) usually resulted in a loud cry of 'Ouch!'. Although we looked at onward moorings we very soon opted to pull in at Aldreth and take it easy for the rest of the day - apart from getting the roast pork ready for tonight!
The flood bank is quite steep and there are no steps up from the moorings. Out intrepid photographer braved his way up to the top in sweltering heat just to record for the benefit of our dear readers what could be seen. As expected, the landscape is very flat and large arable expanses dominate right out to the skyline. The reedy grass on the bank proved very slippery in decent result in a rather rapid return to the mooring level!
8.9 Miles - 0 Locks
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