26th May 2012

Today is the day when we make our short journey up the tidal Ouse from Salters Load to Denver and it is planned to set off around 11.00. Once again we have wall to wall sunshine making anything we do enjoyable, even tackling the silt banks that have built up outside the Denver Sluice.

However my day started working with Paul the lock keeper at Salters Load helping him design his front frame for a cratch cover on his new boat as we seem to have hit it off, having many of the same interests, like model flying and he has a great workshop.

He did offer me free moorings for a week, to stop over and help him make his frame and although it was nice of him I declined. Now with the time fast approaching 10.30 he came and suggested me move into the lock so as to be ready to get the water at the top of the tide and evade the worst of the sandbanks, which we did. It was tight in the lock, not giving much room either at the front or the back and was advised to watch out for the tiller arm as it could go under the walk way as the water filled the lock. The lock set it was filled and I took care to make sure that we didn't get caught under the walk way (very tight), and as the water rose we came closer and closer to the bridge over the lock and quickly had to take some of the bits off the roof. Lock filled and gate open we were asked to go just outside and wait for his instructions before moving off, to ensure the receiving lock at Denver was ready for us.

About fifteen minuets past before we were released, and off we went, mindful to make a tight turn as we entered the river, and we passed a Fox narrowboat on our way up. Staying to the right bank we made for the lock, wanting to turn left at the last minute in order to miss the silt banks, close to the gate we made a hard turn and crossed in front of the sluice making for the lock entrance. Once there we had to make a slow and tight turn to enter the lock chamber, (in safely phew).

Waving goodbye to the lockie.

On the Great Ouse, we moored up and had a well deserved cup of tea having travelled less the half a mile for the day but I was stressing a bit about getting stuck on the silt bank. Sally had some old friends she used to work with Richard and Jenny, and who lived close to her when we met coming over for the afternoon so we arranged to meet at the pub (Janys) on the river bank.
Half a Manns brown for me and a pint for Sally while they arrived and once there we had food, and what plate fulls they were with all of us except Richard leaving some. Then back to the boat and sat out in the sun catching up on old times, not forgetting the wedding photos, and the obligatory mug of tea.

I had only met Jenny once before and had never met Richard, but they were such a nice couple and it didn't take long before it seemed we had known them for years. (hope you had a good afternoon with us).