Wednesday the 15^th August; I have got a bit behind with the blog so it’s now time to catch up and bring you all up to date with what’s happening with us and October House.

Having the need to attend my good friend Bop’s funeral we have the need to head back to Denver in order to transit the Middle Level and be in Peterborough, where my son Karl will collect us and take us to Boston. So today we are heading back up the Lark with the intention of mooring at the Ship Pub which is at the junction with Brandon Creek and the Great Ouse. The first part of our journey today was up what I believe is the prettiest stretch of river we have travelled on this year, up to Isleham Lock. We passed a memorial to the great evangelist C, H, Sturgeon who was baptised in the Lark by total immersion on the 3^rd May 1850 in a spot where there used to be a chain ferry.

Judes Ferry, with the turn around

After the lock it was back onto the banked section of the Lark with its long straights up to Prickwillow where we intended to top up the water tank. Thankfully Sally took the helm for almost an hour covering most of the straight section and giving me a rest as captain, (thanks Sally xxx, much appreciated). After watering up at Prickwillow and seeing the Museum of Fen Pumping Engines we moved off up the last three miles to the Great Ouse.

Ely Cathedral from the Lark

“A Prickwillow tale”; A local tale is told of a lady who had come from India to live near Prickwillow with a “child” who appeared to be half human and half ape. The child was captured and taken to Cambridge but escaped, terrifying the local townsfolk. Although she was shot and wounded, she managed to make her way home across the fen, killing those she met. She died after strangling the lady who had looked after her. Now no one goes near the old home as, on a misty night, two shadowy figures can be seen, one the old lady, the other an ape with its arm around the lady’s waist.

Back on the Ouse we made it to the Ship in just after it started to rain, so getting wet we moored up for the night.

Thursday; The aim today was to reach Denver however on our way we bumped into NB Thomas Ryan with Nick and Polly heading toward Brandon Creek and as we passed we called a greeting, like ships that pass in the night and continued on with our journey. It wasn’t long before we got a text asking if we wanted company, and with a reply from us of “Yes that would be nice” they turned around to follow us. A few more texts and we agreed to meet up at the moorings just before the A10 Bridge. It sound silly but I was excited to see them again as we had all become such good friends.

After a chat and meeting their friend Mick who generously shared his apple pies with us over a cup of tea we agreed to follow them to the mooring on the Wissey and spend the day with them (which turned into two). That night it was down to some serious fishing but the fish had other plans and our catch was almost nil, with Polly catching the only fish. However we did have a great laugh when Socks pinched Polly’s tobacco pouch and ran off with it, so everyone was laughing as we tried to get it back. This done we sat down to fish again, the he spotted Nick’s pouch, grabbed it and ran off again, but here comes the funny bit. Poor Nick in such a pleading voice said to Sock’s “Please Socks give it back, I did give you some chocolate didn’t I”, at that we all just creased up laughing. After that it wasn’t long before the mosquito's started to bite, so we packed up and settled down for the night.

Friday; yet another day on the Wissey, however we did go into Hilgay to turn the boats around and whilst there Sally and Polly went to the local butcher and general store for provisions. Boats turned, we moored up and off Sally and Polly went leaving us to watch some young lads jumping off the bridge into the river and I declined their offer to join in with them.

Walking on water (NOT)

Then it was back up to the mooring for the rest of the day where we were invited to a fish supper with Nick and Polly on their boat (thanks guys it was yummy). With the request of “Polly can Nick come out to play”  we were off fishing again, however this time Sally joined us and after a quick casting lesson she was fishing hard, but her bait was small pieces of pork pie (no fish), but then again the fish were just not biting.

Saturday; today we left for Denver where we had arranged to meet Kate and Tony and spend the day with them. We managed to get moored up, just up from the Jenyns Arms pub where we intended to have a meal with them when they arrived, and it wasn’t long before we got the call that they had arrived. Back at the boat we had a cup of tea before heading off to the pub for lunch where we all had a great meal (the meals here are recommended). Meal eaten, it was back to the boat and we had a nice cruise back down to Hilgay and back, with Kate and Sally up front and Tony and I at the back, with Tony taking a spell at the helm. Back on the mooring we sat outside on the bankside and had a good laugh and natter, whiling away the hours until they had to head off home. (Tony, Kate it is always so good to see you, thanks for coming).

STOP PRESS; You remember Sally’s felt craft she started this year, well Polly bought all three small handbags for her Grandchildren and Kate has ordered some other bits for little Sophie, a cottage industry is starting I think.

Polly, you will need to get into the front of the camera as I have very few photos of you.

Sunday; a day of rest and relaxation sitting under our Heath Robinson sun Shelter.

Our Bedouin shelter