Fenland Trip July & August 2006

We spent four weeks cruising the River Nene, Middle Level and the rivers Great Ouse and Cam.

This part of our blog is in two sections;
images posted on our return home;
text posted by mobile phone from the boat.

River Cam

Baits Bite Lock


Jesus Lock, Cambridge


Jesus Green, Cambridge on a warm Sunday afternoon


Jesus Lock, the summer navigation limit

Wicken Lode

Reach Lode Lock


Wicken Lode


Wicken Fen Moorings


Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

Wicken Fen

Just like the African Queen! We ventured up New River from Outware to Wicken Fen. The Imray guide says "very narrow but navigable". What they didn't say was that is also very weedy and shallow! Took over 1 hour to travel the 1 mile to the end. Wonderful mooring at the head of navigation in the heart of the NT nature reserve. Great walks through the reserve in warm sun and an excellent visitors centre. So far no marsh harriers but pleanty of other wildlife.
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Upware Again

Picked up our new "crew" - Dave & Myra Oakenfold and moved downstream on the River Cam to Upware. Moored at the same EA mooring as on Saturday night. Clear skies and great views of the almost full moon.
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Cambridge

Moved up the River Cam. Passed through the two electrically operated locks to Cambridge. Fourtunately we found an empty mooring at Jesus Lock. Very pleasant boating and warm humid weather. Spent part of the afternoon listening to a jazz band on Jesus Green. Cambridge was full of visitors.
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Upware

Moved up the Great Ouse to Pope's Corner and took the Cam to Upware. Moored up just outside the village. The local pub - known as the "Five miles from Anywhere" is having a music festival. Hot sunny weather and music carrying the mile across the fields. To get there by foot would take about the 5 miles so we are relying on second hand sound. So far we have had reggea, rock, jazz, soul and folk. The quality is variable!
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