Curtailed Cruise - 3 July 2018

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
Great Paxton to St Neots
7.75 miles, 3 locks

This morning Monty and I headed off along the Ouse Valley Way which for the most part was easy going for both of us with not a car (or any other vehicle in sight)

The gravel pits at Paxton stretch for quite a long way

A few parts were a little more challenging, but all in all it was a good walk.

 St Neots Lock caught me out as the Vee gates are at the top rather than the bottom.  Also both slackers are on the same side, which does save a lot of walking across the lock, but they do require a lot of turns - around 60 each!

We do look rather small and lost all on our own in this very long lock.

We had always planned on stopping on the moorings on the left at St Neots (by the Priory Centre) as there is a good sized Waitrose very close by and we were in luck -

there was space at the end in front of the cruiser.

Across the other side are more moorings - so the question was do we move across and stay here or move on to Eaton Socon and hope there is space there?

The boat in the picture above moved off.  We decided a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, so we moved across and settled down for the night.  For the first time in ages we had a mooring that allowed Chris to get the black paint out, so the starboard side is looking good!

With plenty of space for ball games

which was the cause of such exhaustion that 30 minutes after his usual dinner time he was fast asleep!

The building opposite is The Priory Centre - an entertainment and conference centre which we reckon was host to people watching the game between England and Columbia.  I am glad to say that the noise stopped as we went to bed.

A sort of dragon boat (no drummer) went past early evening - we wondered if they were practicing for the Bedford Festival or whether their races are more serious?  We shall see.