Denver to Whittlesey

31 August 

We moved off our mooring onto the lock landing at about 8.45 and prepared to wait.The photo shows the state of the tide at that time – more sandbanks!

We were joined by Cre Dal Wood and then by two more narrowbaots so there was a little group of us waiting. We saw a kingfisher sitting on part of the sluice mechanism.

The lock opened at 11.45 as promised and we slid in. We did have to wait a few minutes before exiting the lock as the lockkeeper told us that Salters Lode was not ready for us. But we were soon on our way. Steve successfully made the tight turn into Salters Lode Lock, Paul, the friendly lockkeeper worked us through and there we were, back on the Middle Levels.

Out of Denver .....

.... and into Salters

Another kingfisher was spotted near Nordelph. There are several cormorants around as well, including some sitting on telephone wires – how do they do that with webbed feet?

Well Creek through Outwell and Upwell was still shallow, but much less shallow than it had been two weeks ago. A little rain makes all the difference.

We were through Marmont Priory Lock by 3.00 with the help of Maureen and her husband. They had a lock full of weed, some of which we were able to push through as we left the lock.

We will be going through Stanground Lock tomorrow. This lock is manned and boats have to book a time to go through. Stephen phoned them up and was told that they are very busy tomorrow and have a limited number of slots available. He accepted the 9.30 slot which means we either have to do a long day today or get up very early tomorrow. We decided to do the long day today, so instead of stopping at March which is what we had originally planned, we carried on towards Ashline Lock intending to moor at Whittlesey.

When we got to Ashline, helpful fishermen told us that the Whittlesey moorings were completely full. Steve walked up to have a look for himself, came back and reported that there were two boats already moored up on the lock landing above the lock (one of them being Phenomenal) so we decided to join them! By the time we had done the lock and moored up it was nearly 7.30 – time for food and drink!