Elton to Peterborough

12 and 13 August

2 days for the price of 1 in this edition of the blog.

We left Elton at some ridiculous hour of the morning (6.00) on Monday hopefully not disturbing our companions nb Madge and nb Jovial Tour. Steve had already set Elton Lock so we were quite quickly through. We needed to catch the 1.52 train from Peterborough so we wanted to make sure that we would get there in good time.

Water Newton lock is very pretty with a church and a mill building.

As we arrived at Alwalton Lock, another boat (nb Cut Loose) was just leaving and they said they would wait for us at the next lock and then we could go through it together. So when we got to Orton Lock, they were there and had started to set the lock. We may well see Cut Loose again as they too are heading for St Neots.

As we approached the embankment at Peterborough, it looked full, but nb Phenomenal hailed us and encouraged us to breast up with them. We explained that we were going to catch a train home and they said they would be happy to moor us in their place as they were due to leave before we returned.

We walked to the nearby Asda for lunch and then briefly went to the cathedral where we saw Tim Peake’s space capsule. Very impressive in that it is small and not bright and shiny, yet it has been so far and brought three people safely back to earth.

Capsule and parachute

Then to the station and train and bus home. Stephen is our church treasurer and he had hoped to do some of the regular weekly work, but this turned out not to be possible as the paperwork was not available. However, we were able to mow the lawn, tidy the garden, do some washing and sort out the post which included a package we had been waiting for.

Tuesday morning, we caught up with a few more jobs and then set out for the return journey to Peterborough. Before going back to the boat we went for a proper look round the cathedral which is celebrating its 900^th birthday this year.

When we walked down to the river, as promised there we were, safely moored against the embankment. I went off to Asda to restock the fridge and later Steve touched up some paintwork and re-waterproofed his wax jacket.

The weather over the last two days has been mainly dry with just the occasional shower.