Ely - How things change - 3rd June to 10th August 2018

Thursday 9th August 2018
GOBA moorings before Pope's Corner to Ely
4  miles, 0 locks

There is not a lot to say about this trip - we set off at 08:40 in mild drizzle which continued until we arrived in Ely.  The only point of note was passing a cruiser 'Bethany' that is owned by the son of a friend of mine. We knew they were around and had hoped to be able to stop and say hello, however that was not to be.  One day perhaps

So on we went to Ely

to find the first change - when we were here in June we had breakfast at "Grand Central"

In the interim they have been decorating!  Very hard to miss now!

Our plan was to moor on the riverside near the railway bridge - would there be space?  Yes one Tentatrice sized space which we claimed.

Thankfully we moored up before the heavy rain started which continued for most of the day.  Real heavy stuff, so the waterproofs came out for the first time in a couple of months.  I headed off to get my hair cut, but for the most part we hunkered down and kept warm and dry.

Friday 10th August 2018
Ely

We headed off for a walk along the river with Monty to find the second change.  Just under the railway bridge there is a sunken boat which a small boat uses to moor up to, coming across to the towpath side when they need to access shops etc.  In June we noticed something beginning to happen - we wondered what was being constructed

Today we found out - presumably someone is building a floating home/

Further along we got another surprise - cows hiding in the very long grass/reeds

And one final shot of the Ship of the Fens, but no blue sky today

We headed to Sainsburys for a big shop.  When we emerged the rain had arrived and neither of us had a coat!  A day of showers with the odd burst of sun, but we really cannot complain as the rain is much needed. 

The last change - The story of The Swans of Ely

When we arrived on 3rd June there was a swan sitting on a nest

By the 11th June there were cygnets in the nest - probably three

On the 15th June they were out and about albeit hitching a lift on Mum's back - one did keep falling off

when they got out for a rest it was very obvious that there were three

On 16th June they came to visit us (we keep swan/duck food on board)

Then off we went to Bedford and would not return until 9th August - the burning question was 'would they all be there?' 

Thankfully yes, there are still three and looking very healthy.

Tomorrow we rejoin with Sue and Ken (nb Cleddau) for our respective journeys home.(Together and then apart!)