Changeable weather on the Gt Ouse

After replacing the rudder bearing on Tuesday I moored overnight at Godmanchester and then returned to St Ives on Wednesday ready to start the return journey.  

The forecast for Thursday showed possible showers throughout the day with heavy rain due in the evening. I set off towards Cambridge, a journey of 30 miles by river, which I didn't expect to complete before rain stopped play. I did well and as the drizzle got steadily heavier through the afternoon I decided to call it a day at the visitors mooring at Popes Corner where the river Cam meets the Gt Ouse. 

My new waterproof proved to be excellent and I'm sure I will come to live this item of clothing during the winter months. 

Friday morning I made an early start on the last 12 miles up the river Cam to Cambridge and to my surprise actually found a free mooring. The last as it happened so I invited the boat following me to moor alongside. For those who know the city the visitor moorings are just below Jesus lock alongside Jesus Green. 

Friday night was a little noisy as the mooring is alongside a busy road so I decided that after visiting the Rohan store and buying a couple of T-shirts on Saturday morning I'd move down to Ely which is usually peaceful. The weather was beautiful and the river quite delightful once clear of the city.

I reached Ely in the late afternoon to find the moorings full and chose to carry on a further 4 miles to Littleport where the was space available on the quiet moorings on the edge of the town. 

I'm now settled hear for the night and will continue up to Denver tomorrow ready to  pass through the lock on Monday.  

Beginning of the return to the canals

After spending a lovely summer in home waters it's time to begin the journey back onto the canal network.

Yesterday I replaced the rudder bearing which, already worn, was completely ruined when I dislodged the rudder a week or so ago.  Thankfully the job was straight forward and with the help of Paul took only an hour.

I'm going to visit family for my nephew's wedding in the Isle of Man for a couple of weeks in September and have booked the boat into Oundle marina while I'm away. The plan is to have a gentle cruise back through Ely, possibly with a detour to Cambridge, and then back through the middle levels from Denver to Peterborough to catch up with my eldest son before going up the Nene to Oundle.

After the wedding and IoM holiday I'll make my way up river to Northampton and join the Grand Union canal.  I have no definite plans after that but am thinking of heading over to Stratford-on-Avon for a week or so.  Depending on conditions I might then go down the river Avon (one of many) and back up the Worcester & Birmingham canal which I've not done before.

Introducing the Falcon Inn - Huntingdon

Hard to believe it's over a month since I updated the blog. To be honest there's not much new to report. I've spent the last month moored at various spots on the river between St Ives and St Neots and managed to catch up with a few old friends while in the area. 

I have come to love the reopened Falcon Inn in Huntingdon. This pub is in a 16c building in the market square which was used by Oliver Cromwell as a HQ.  They serve only cask beers, a few craft lagers (non of the fizzy pop variety) and a selection of ciders. The welcome is very friendly as are the locals and I strongly recommend a visit or two.

The pub has a lovely garden which is the real reason Paul and I called in to get some planting tips. We only ordered beer to be polite. We were very polite. 

In fact the garden was so good I had to show it to Malc, Trevor and Gareth too. We were also very polite - in fact so polite I had a headache the next morning. 

It was great to catch up with these guys who made my time in Jaguar and Adour so enjoyable. 

I didn't spend all month in the Falcon, just most of it, for an injection of culture I had an enjoyable day exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge where they have a exhibition of bronzes which, as you can see, are modelled on myself. 

The plan is to make my way back to the Nene via Cambridge and Ely over the next couple of weeks and then head up the river to Oundle where I'll leave the boat for a couple of weeks while I jet off to the Isle of Man for my nephew's wedding.