We left March on the 25^th and made our way toward Whittlesey which was our last stop on the Middle Level before arriving on the River Nene ready for my friend’s funeral.

I guess this is the dullest part of our entire journey this year, with high flood banks and very little to see from the boat unless we stand on the seating, and then there is not a great deal to see.

Leaving March

 

 

 

 Even in the town of Whittlesey not a great deal can be seen except for the excitement of the walled 90 degree bend which has to be negotiated with care so as not to hit either wall, but we did it, having nearly come to a stop to get round. Through the town, we took the advice of Bob and Anne of NB Hawkeye and moored on the left just passed the rail bridge, on a grass bank with good depth at the side.

WW2 Pill box to protect the waterway transport

The 90 degree bend at Whittlesey

We once again had dry weather for our journey, however after having moored up, the sky’s blackened and we figured that we were in for some rain. What an understatement that was as the black clouds soon started to flash and bang as one of four storms approached dropping a deluge of rain and hail stones.

The storm clouds building

It sounded as if the boat was being shot blasted as the hail beet down on the metal roof, and the water leapt and jumped as the hail and rain thrashed into it. It was coming down so hard that the drain holes in the cockpit could hardly cope with the amount of water and we had a build-up, so I opened the rear doors to let it out. These storms followed one after the other but as they passed they gave us brilliant rainbows to look at, one of God’s signs that He would not flood the world again.

Sunday; we set off dead on 10.00 for a 90 minute cruise to Stanground and the lock onto the Nene, passing a clay pit belonging to the brick company, with its sheer sides and deep dark black water which was flooding the old quarry. Next came a group of fishermen in a competition along the bank side all trying to outdo each other, with the best catch, although they all looked pretty glum, with not a lot to shout about in their keep nets.

Old brick quarry

Approaching the lock we saw Tina the lock keeper opening the gates, for what we thought was a boat to come out, so I slowed and began pulling out of the way. However she waved us in and with an apology from us for being too early, as we were not booked in till 12.00, she smiled and told us the previous booking was late. In the lock and before the gates were closed the previously booked boat arrived behind us, but Tina closed the gate and put us through, saying “They won’t be late next time, will they”.

The River Nene

Now back on the Nene, we pulled over and moored up on the embankment to stay over for a couple of days.

Tuesday 28^th August; a sad day for me, as today we have to say goodbye to and old friend. My Son Karl and Kim collected Sally and I to take us to Boston, for the funeral of my lifelong friend Bop Roberts, and to spend time with his family and friends.

Now we have until the 10^th September to get up the Northampton arm before it closes for work to repair the lock gates, or be locked in until the 5^th October.