Today we aimed to get as far as we could up the River Lark before returning tithe Great Ouse and back down to Ely where we could replenish one or two items from our larder (especially milk and cold drinks) that were running rather low.
The cloud was bright blue once again and already when we set off the day was rather warm. Occasionally we found a bit of breeze but for much of the day there was none at all.
The first part of the River Lark was straightened and is wider than we expected. Pumping stations can be seen at frequent intervals - one surprise however was that the design of the connection between the drain and the river is distinctive. Perhaps this dates back to when each navigation and fen had its own authority.
Just one of the original wind pumps remains - now converted into an unusual dwelling.
Although we saw very few moving boats after leaving Prickwillow there are surprising numbers of long term moorings as well as those at Isleham Marina.
There were even fewer movements in or out of RAF Mildenhall but we did capture this ungainly beast - presumably one of the fuel tankers that have used this base for several decades but are due to be moved elsewhere very soon. (Later a passing aviation expert told us this is a cargo carrier but the other one we saw an hour later might have been a tanker! Also, Mildenhall may be reprieved for longer than at first announced)
After a long, almost completely straight, stretch we arrived at the only lock on the River Lark at Isleham, alongside the only marina. Unusually, the bottom pointed doors are electrically operated along with the slackers.
Just above the lock we could see an EA worker opening a sluice to let water from the river into the adjoining field.
From here the navigation reverted to its natural state, narrow and very winding. Our speed dropped considerably and we began to hope that there really was a suitable winding hole at the end and that we would not have to reverse several miles!
Towards the end of the navigable river there was little more width than a single boat. Luckily we did not meet anyone coming the opposite direction. If we had then a trip into the reeds would have been a necessity for at least one of us.
The end of our journey was at Judes Ferry Bridge where, if needed, there is a pub with its own mooring - but otherwise no public mooring. Our map and guide were correct and there was more than adequate room to turnaround even if it did need multiple movements back and forward.
With nowhere to stop we simply had to head back the way we came and have our lunch on the run.
After descending through Isleham Lock again and completing the long straight sections we passed under Prickwillow Bridge.
At the end of the river is a road bridge where we turned out onto the Great Ouse and headed towards Ely.
The city centre moorings were full and despite an attempt to squeeze into a couple of spaces we were just a bit too long. Christine and Alice went off as soon as possible to walk around to Sainsbury whilst Mike hovered until he could move onto the service mooring and complete the usual tasks - slowly! The last item - water tank - was just coming up to the full point when they returned, heavy laden.
Although we suspected that several boats were only there for the afternoon, we could not stay any longer and swapped to Plan B, a trip down to Little Thetford where we moored a couple of weeks ago. As we came through the moorings we could see The Maltings.
This building was originally, in 1868, part of Ebenezer William Harlock’s brewery. Today it is an entertainment centre with cinema, restaurant, conference facilities and the ability to hold weddings.
We continued up the river after leaving Ely, its railway bridges and new bypass. The Soham Lode entrance told us that we were not far from our planned destination. As the photo shows, by now a thin layer of cloud covered much of the sky but did little to diminish the heat.
We were following another boat that came through just as we were leaving the water point - it cruised just a little slower than our normal rate but we did not want to overtake in case there was only one space which they were hoping to use.
Just before the moorings we spotted that Little Thetford Pumping Station was actually lifting water from the field up gto the river - must be a little unusual in these weather conditions.
In fact, we need not have worried as the long mooring space was entirely empty - the other boat went to the far end and we tied up where we had been before. Not long after came a narrowboat that had been in Ely and whose space we would really have coveted. But here is very pleasant, rural and extremely quiet. Much better than being right outside a pub, which is what can happen in the city.
24.6 Miles - 2 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment