Despite losing my fishing rod what a great weekend we had in Cambridge, however our 48 hour mooring is up and we have to move off leaving this wonderful city behind. With water and facilities on Jesus Green we moved over and filled the water tank before heading off to Clayhithe and our visits from Jacinta on Tuesday, and Deirdre and Harry (friends of Sally who she babysat for) on Wednesday.

Travelling back downstream we passed the universary boat houses with the concrete slipways leading to the Cam, and the many student boats moored along riverside awaiting the return of their habitants after the summer break. Many of which craft had notices stuck on them, warning of none payment of the fees due for the privilege of mooring so close to the collages.

Back out into the countryside we passed under the A14 and onto Baits Bite lock which is manned to collect the dues for using the River Cam, although because of these fees there have not been many boats navigating the Cam. I figure that because of these extra charges they will in the end loose out by a drop in boats wanting to travel into Cambridge. Bates Bite lock done after a check on our licence we made our way on to Clayhithe and our mooring for the next couple of days and once moored up we reflected on what was a good but short days cruising.

Tuesday; the day arrived with a little light rain and with Jacinta not due to arrive until around 11 o’clock we made use of the time by tidying up the boat and Sally doing a bit of baking. With the arrival of Jacinta, it was off to her car as she wanted to take us to a nice pub for a meal at Reach, such speed (my knuckles were white), it seemed like 100mph as we were now so used to 4mph on the boat. Although she did inform us that she never went above 50mph all the way on a journey which took us south, then east, before turning north again to Reach, as there a very few bridges across the Cam. We arrived at the pub (Dykes End) and sat down to what was an excellent meal, and well worth the journey, with good food, good company and a welcome break from the boat. (Thank you Jacinta, we very much enjoyed your treat).

Back at the boat it was tea and coffee and good conversation until it was time for her to head off back home, it is such a shame that the boat movement prevents her from staying over, as she suffers a bit with motion sickness, but we love you anyway. Later it was a bit of TV, and the Olympics before finally succumbing to the need for sleep.

Wednesday; another good day in store and Sally was getting excited at the prospect of meeting Harry and Deirdre Wiseman again, who were old family friends from her youth, and the family she used to babysit for. We had arranged to meet up at around 1 o’clock but no phone call, so at 1.30 we decided to walk over to the Bridge Hotel where we were going to eat as maybe thy had gone straight there. As we walked in we were greeted with (Hello Sally)!! As Harry spotted us walking in, and we sat down to join him at the table, with Sally going off inside to meet Deirdre who was ordering the lunch. It was the first time I had met them and was a bit uneasy, but they soon put me at ease as we started to chat about all things past and present (what a lovely couple).

Meal eaten it was back to the boat as they wanted to see it, so once again it was coffee and the obligatory grand tour of our floating home. It really was a great afternoon and they were so happy for Sally, and it showed, but like all good things it was soon time for them to leave as they had other plans for later in the day. (Thank you for my chocolates, I did share them).

After they had left, we decided to move on further back down the Cam and try to meet up with David and Jan off cruiser Morning Star. It wasn’t a long run up to the Five Miles From Anywhere pub, where they were yesterday, and with a text we arranged to meet up there. With only Bottisham lock in front of us we travelled the 4 to 5 miles in no time at all and moored up on the EA mooring just short of the pub. As we arrived we got a call from Jan to say that they would be with us soon, so the kettle went on ready. As other boats came by we were whispering keep going as there was only room for the two of us. When they got here we had the story of their holiday so far, before David disappeared to cook dinner for us all.

After dinner it was time to sit out in the sun and settle down with a couple of bottles of wine (tea for me, I am a boring old fart). We had a great laugh playing, would you believe it, (I spy) and we let off a couple of Chinese lanterns before going off to bed at just after midnight with the dew starting to settle.

Just had a message from Martin and Clare from Great Barford, he has bought a boat, another conversion, although we don’t know what it is yet.