Yesterday we left the River Great Ouse on the start of our long journey home.

We had set the alarm for 06.30 in order to be up and ready to take the boat to the water point and empty the cassette before mooring at the Denver lock ready to cross to Salters Load and the last bit of the tidal Ouse. Our aim was to be the first in the queue to make the most of the high water, before it speeds up on a receding tide to make it easier to get into Salters Load lock, and off course get around the sand bank on the exit to Denver.

We made it and got there first with minuets to spare before four other boats joined us, and the banter started with a lot of nervous laughter from all. By the time the tide had turned and was coming in, there were a total of ten boats waiting to cross so our decision to be there early was justified. We spent some time watching the fiasco of the tiny dredger trying to move the silt bank with its small drag plough. The EA should have spent a bit more and got a drag line to do it, although the initial cost would have been higher, the silt bank would have been cleared much quicker, and in the end cost much less to do.

 

At around mid-day we were allowed to enter the lock ready for our crossing, however we had to hold until the water had dropped enough for us to get into the lock at Salters Load, and all the time the silt remover was hard at it scraping millimetres off the top. Eventually we were told to go and with the wind coming straight across the front of the sluice it made the sharp turn needed to clear the sand bank more difficult, and on our first attempt the silt remover was right in our path. So we reversed back into the lock entrance for a second go as the small silt remover moved out of our way, we did it, and to the applause of the other boaters who were on the bridge watching. With great relief we made our way downriver to Salters and lined ourselves up for its narrow entrance taking care not to be pushed passed by the receding flow of water. The entrance spotted I turned the nose in and as soon as it was lined up I gave it full power to slip in and escape the dragging flow of the river, in safe and sound.

The lock gate was closed behind us and that was our final goodbye to the Great Ouse as now we were on the Middle Level drainage system and in transit, heading for Peterborough. With the waterway being much narrower and shallower our progress was a lot slower than had been on the river and it seemed as if we were barley moving as we made for Upwell and our mooring for the night. All ten boats made the crossing safely, so all of those nerves and anticipation were a little ill-founded, however rather that than being cocky, as pride comes before a fall, and water is a killer.

 

Thursday 23^rd

Not such an early start today leaving Upwell heading for March where we intend to stop over for a few days (and a trip to the tackle shop). The trip down has been a lot better than when we travelled up as there is a lot more water on the Middle Level, giving us less problems with weed and of course a little more speed.