We began early but with only 100m cruise - backwards! The water and elsan facilities were just a short distance back towards the railway bridge and we were keen to start the next long section, with very limited facilities, with a full water tank and all cassettes empty!
A while later we were ready to make a proper start, with Lincoln Bridge the first landmark. In fact it was just metres from where we had spent the last two days. No real noise from it as it is only an access to the marina and vehicles have to stop and unlock a gate in the middle, so no racing through!
There are more visitor mooring opportunities further along - here close to the Maltings building, now adapted as a events venue.
A second entrance into Cathedral Marina.
The Waterside Inn is now a four star hotel close to yet more visitor moorings convenient fre the city centre.
After this the riverside is all private moorings with a diverse set of boats including this leviathan (or at least in comparison with the rest of us!)
Ely High Bridge was built as part of the first city bypass completed in 1986 but the southern part went over this bridge and then close to the city centre before really becoming a bypass.
The inevitable result was that congestion continued to be a problem and in 2003 serious consideration was give to building another bridge. The Southern Bypass was completed about 8 years ago after a number of attempts that were foiled by planning objections.
This might be out last look back at the cathedral on this trip. We will of course have this view when we return in a few weeks time.
Soham Lode was one of the last major drains to be dug in this area, probably opening in the 1790s. Its main use, apart from drainage, was to carry corn and later coal when the pumping engines changed to steam power. When a railway arrived, the freight traffic all but disappeared. It is now officially not navigable but occasional forays are made by adventurous narrowboaters!
At Popes Corner the navigation divides into two. The larger part, straight ahead in this view, becomes the River Cam whilst the right hand continues as the River Great Ouse on towards Bedford.
The speed limit now changes from 7 to 4 mph with threats for those caught speeding. the river is now not only narrower but also much shallower so we immediately found our speed dropping from about 4 to 2.5. We suspect that most of the cruisers do have a means of determining their rate of progress. Several overtook us and at least one did so without our consent or notice. They were very lucky as there are few places where this would not lead to them getting into difficulty, potentially grounding on the offside. Others we waved through after find a spot with most width and then bringing ourselves to a stop or drifting over the shallower waters in a gap in the reeds. Even then, one nearly managed to collide with us!
Streetham Old Engine is an impressive landmark and is the sole survivor of hundreds of steam engines that were installed to pump drainage waters. This one dates from around 1831. Unfortunately it is only open to the public on Sundays in the season. Shame as it would be interesting to visit and there is a good mooring right outside.
Immediately after the next bridge came a very long line of moored boats on both banks, many of which are clearly permanent homes. We speculated on how they cope given that there seem to be no basic facilities in the area. Quite a few obviously do not move much as they are now locked in by rapidly growing reed beds.
There are two moorings or boatyards at Streetham Ferry. The second one is clearly still quite active in building or repairing boats. Lazy Otter is just a set of moorings just off the A10.
Some people will to to any lengths to find a drink - this one even comes with bar snacks! (He just stopped munching as the camera clicked)
After letting one cruiser pass us we took too long to get back onto the centre line and were caught on the silt for a few moments. Luckily we freed ourselves just in time as another cruiser came at speed the opposite way, all but hidden on a sharp bend. Here a larger silt bed is clearly marked - good thing as it would otherwise have been our side to navigate.
A family day out at the riverside! It looks as though two aunts have joined the fun. If only we could all go for a dip without first donning swim wear!
A little further we arrived at our planned destination for our stopover: GOBA's members only Aldreth Drain mooring. There was just one boat already moored but plenty of room for more.
12.0 Miles - 0 Locks
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