Back to Ely for the third time 15th & 16th June

Friday 15th June 2018
Upware to Ely
7.75 miles, 0 locks

Thankfully the wind had died down overnight and it was warm and sunny again today.  A boat set off before us, but instead of heading down the Cam to Cambridge or back to The River Great Ouse, they turned left towards Reach Lode and were going to go down the very narrow Wicken Lode to Wicken Fen - they are braver than we are.

Ours was a return journey during which I was mostly below doing some necessary domestic chores.  Chris kept his eyes on the look out for the Highland Cattle, but they were nowhere to be seen. The only picture of note on this trip - I managed to get a grebe with a fish in its mouth.

We did know their was to be a prize at the end of the trip as friends Angela and Patrick on nb Chouette (we did the Wash crossing with them four years ago) were moored near the grandstand.

The space behind them was in 'duck/goose poo alley', so I walked on to see if there was room nearer the water point where we had moored previously.  It was nose to tail, but just as I was about to go back, two cruisers pulled out leaving a space big enough for both boats.

Once we were both safely moored we joined Angela and Patrick on Chouette and had a lovely lunch together, for which many thanks.  It was great to catch up, but all too soon it was time for them to move on.

 Farewell until we see you again at the Bedford River Festival in July.

We are one space further back than last time.  Almost as soon as Chouette left their space was taken.

Saturday 16th June 2018
Ely

Another day of visitors!  Friends Cathy and Ron came over with two of their grandchildren, Ben (12, nearly 13) and Bethan (9- she is just 2 days older than our youngest granddaughter).

They arrived mid morning and after tea/coffee on board we headed for the country park, which we did not know existed until yesterday.  It is huge

We only got as far as the play park, so there is much more to explore another time.  The play park is wonderful and Ben and Bethan made the most of it.

 

We lunched on board, then had a wander round the town past the Cathedral and back via the ice cream van for pudding

Next was ball games with Monty

Then after a cuppa it was time for a photo shoot before we said farewell

 The next job was to stock up from Sainsburys and fill the water tank as we are off again in the morning.  We might be one mooring back, but with two hoses we can still fill up without losing our place! (note the 2 fishermen by the sanitary station - the season opened yesterday and they are all over the plaice - pun intended!)

ps - I have just discovered quite a few comments I had not published - I used to get notification via email, but for some reason they seem to have stopped, so if you have commented recently, my apologies for not publishing them.  I will check here daily rather than relying on notifications.