After a week at St Ives, in Cambridgeshire we eventually are on the move again heading toward Bedford.

We woke around 07.00 to glorious sunshine and the prospect of getting off this morning we eagerly watched for the guys from EA to attend to the lock. There were also other boats stuck on the St Ives side, whose owners came down to see what was happening but of course no one knew, so we waited patiently. At around 11.00 one guy turned up and stood looking at the water whilst on the telephone to his superiors, then two more guys came and we had movement. First they changed the sign from closed to open, then un-padlocked the gates and powered up the guillotine, and there was an air of excitement with all of us boaters. First our American friends came down through the lock, and with the gate up it was our turn and we set off at around 11.30, but not before I rang David the cruiser owner letting him know as he was in Bedford.

David, one of the boaters from St Ives side

The lock negotiated we passed under the town bridge, with it's chapple sat in the middle and made for the town wharf and the water point to top up our much depleted water supply, this was up a side creek and once filled we had to reverse out back into the main stream of the river. Here also there we other boats waiting for the system to be opened and were delighted at the news that it was a go.

 Some swans playing merry go round

Back on the river and making way it was time for a good cup of tea as we headed for Hemingford lock along a very pretty stretch of the river and pushing against the flow. Approaching the lock we had to deviate to the right around an island to pick up the landing stage, and it was here that three parts of the river came together and there was current coming from all sides. Moored on the landing stage I saw to the lock, preparing it for Sally to bring the boat in, which she did. Gates closed behind her and the lock filled we were off again with the village of Hemingford Grey up ahead, we made our way slowly through the village looking at all of the posh houses and the church that stood right on the river’s edge.

On leaving the village we came to one of the GOBA mooring sites and a quick decision was made to moor up there, as there was a wide grassy part just right for Socks and Gypsy, and a few trees for the latter. It was quite shallow at the edges so I had to put out a pole to hold the back off, and used our boarding plank.

 The first hill we have seen in weeks

A dinosaur tree

We had not been moored up long before some kids came down to the river and decided to take a swim (rather them than me). However we did have some hilarious fun as Socks was out and soon pinching their socks and running off with them and once we had rescued one sock he was off and pinched another. Next came a tee shirt and a shoe, which caused us and the kids great enjoyment, we had to put him back on the boat in the end.

 My hold off pole, to be improved

Which now leaves us with the end of the day and a beautiful sunset with a warm glow and we settled down.

Sunset on the Great Ouse