We were not in any hurry today as our target of Downham Market for a mid afternoon train to London was not that far away. So it was a bit later than usual as we set off with rather grey skies above us.
Within a short time a few blue splashes were beginning to emerge which gradually became more extensive. It was certainly still very hot.
Ellie steered all the way to Denver and, a one point, insisted that she appear in a short video clip to demonstrate her skills!
St Mark's Church in Ten Mile Bank was built in 1846 on the site of a post-medieval windpump as a chapel-of-ease presumably to meet the needs of a growing population based on the fen drainage activities. It became in poor condition and in 2002 it was closed but group of local people set about raising the funds to restore the building. After collecting almost £300,000 work started and worship was resumed in 2009.
By the time we passed the mouth of the River Wissey the blue sky was very much in evidence.
Moored near Denver is the former tug Sheldrake. It was built in 1934 at Colchester for the Rive Great Ouse Catchment Board. It was used in that role for around sixty years and then pensioned off to private owners. It currently displays a For Sale sign.
As we reached the service point at Denver, just above the Relief Channel Lock, a boat was juts moving off but we could not quite make it onto the pontoon as a small cruiser was backed into the slip way where a new propeller was being fitted. It turned out that one of the people doing this work was the sun of Gary at Buckden Marina. We saw them several times later during the day as they the took this and another boat down on the Relief Channel to give it a good test.
After completing the usual round of servicing we backed out and moved back to the Jenyns mooring where there was plenty of room. From there we walked around to the main sluices go see what happens - several boats were already rafted up above the lock waiting for the tide and their transit to Salters Lode. That will be our task tomorrow afternoon.
It was now time to descend the lock to the relief Channel for the short trip own to Downham Market. Mike steered this bit as everyone else was rather keen on having their rather delayed lunch - the lock takes a very long time and Ellie had to both fill and then empty it.
Eventually we were through and hoping for a mooring space a the road bridge. Despite the fact that there are at least two long staying boats on the pontoon there was plenty of room for us
- and later the two cruisers we met at Denver after they had completed their testing.
Eventually it was time to walk across the bridge to the station. We were in good time and the train was on schedule - at least this early in its journey there was plenty pf room for Ellie and Alice to find convenient seats where they could also park Alice's luggage.
As we walked back across the road bridge we especially noted the dense floral decorations on both sides - we also wondered who watered them and how long it took?
We opted to cruise a little further down to the next bridge and mooring point. Most of the way was very straight and from some distance we could see that there was at least one boat on the mooring and that a couple of jet skies were practising. The party helpfully moved along so there was room for us to come alongside and very soon after the other boat set off upstream hoping that the space we had left at Downham Market would still be available for them by the time they arrived.
8.75 Miles - 1 Lock
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