Cruising Log 1999

Left the Pike and Eel at 12.30pm after filling with 85 litres of diesel (22 pence a litre, those were the days) and worked downstream through Brownshill and Hermitage locks, arriving at the Lazy Otter pub at Stretham Ferry at 6.30pm.

The GOBA moorings were badly silted and we were a gang-plank length out from the bank. Went for a drink in the pub (full of good-natured motorbikers) and returned to the boat to find water everywhere and the water-pump dutifully transferring the contents of the water-tank into the boat through a broken pipe joint under the sink. Spent the rest of the evening trying to dry everything out – including Steve who fell into the river trying to get the dog to walk up the gang-plank.

Bed at mid-night after a ham carbonara supper and a much-needed bottle of rotwein.

4 hours, 2 locks

Left Stretham at 9 on a gloomy morning after a bit of a struggle because of the distance from the bank and the wind direction. A brief dog-stop at Popes Corner and then turned right onto the Cam. Tied up at the ‘5 Miles from Anywhere’ at Upware at around half-past eleven. Moored up and tried to repair the broken pipe joint but it promptly blew again and so it looks as if a complete new joint will be needed. Stayed on the mooring all afternoon in beautiful sunshine talking to other boaters. Met Peter and Jean Webb on NB ‘Arachne’ heading for Reach Fair rally.

Gary joined us in the evening and we went to the pub for a night-cap and watched people making prats of themselves at karaoke.

2 ½ hours, no locks

Left the 5-miles at 9.40am, mild overcast morning. Headed back down the Cam, turned left at Popes Corner and up the Old West. Wanted to stop for lunch at the Twentypence Inn but the moorings were silted up at the bridge end. After a couple of trys we gave up and moved on to the excellent GOBA moorings at Aldreth High Bridge. After lunch, lazed in the sunshine then gently ambled back through Hermitage and Brownshill locks, arriving at the Pike moorings at 4.30 pm.

6 ½ hours, 2 locks

We have arranged for the 50-hour engine and gearbox service at Westview Marina in Earith. We took Meg’s car to Westview then returned with Steve’s to the Pike. Left the Pike at 1pm in very strong winds. At Brownshill we caught the tiller in those stupid green posts the EA have planted along the landing area. The wooden handle snapped clean off. Made a total horlicks of the lock, mainly due to the wind. Reached Westview at 2.30pm and here, completely sheltered from the wind we lunched, washed and polished the boat in the sun and drove back to the Pike to pick up Steve’s car at around 4.30pm.

1 ½ hours, 1 lock

We visited the Pike and Eel Boat Club boat jumble in am. Filled in club membership application forms and Steve ordered a PEBC sweatshirt. Drove Meg’s car to Westview to collect boat. Paid the bill and left at 2pm, with a tidy reverse out of the marina mooring. Arrived at the Pike at 3.30pm. Meg left for home at 5pm, because of having to work the next day (Tambourine has to be paid for!)

Steve cooked supper, met up with Annie and Robin Waters in the pub and had a pint or two. A lovely sunny afternoon and evening

1 ½ hours, 1 lock

Mostly domestic chores today; hung a couple more pairs of curtains, checked the electrics and batteries over and polished brass. Left for home at 5.45pm.

    Our mooring at the 'Pike and Eel' at Overcote Ferry

Today was family party day. We had Andy and Ali, Mother, Cathy, Frank and Gary and an extremely strong south-westerly to cope with. We arrived at 11.30 and in hindsight we should not have gone out. As we tried to reverse Tambourine from the jetty the wind completely took us. We ended up opposite the jetty, side on to the bank in the shallow bit under the trees, pinned there by the wind. Eventually Andy and Gary between them managed to push the stern off with the shaft far enough to find some deeper water and we got off the bank astern with a lot of smoke, silt and bad language.

Out of the marina we turned upstream heading for the Old Ferryboat Inn but by the time we got there, everyone was fed up. Andy was on the helm and decided to make a three-point turn to head back. He swung the bow towards the bank and tried to go astern - but for some reason the throttle wouldn’t select reverse. The engine revved away and Tambourine gracefully carried on straight into the bank.

This would have been OK but Frank was standing on the bow with his back to the bank. As Tambourine’s bow hit the bankside tree, he grabbed the tree with one hand and Cathy with the other to stop them both falling in – at which point Andy got the gear shift into reverse. As Tambourine went astern Frank grabbed the tree with his other hand to prevent Cathy landing in the river – and the boat reversed away, leaving him hanging from the tree two feet out from the bank. His face was a picture but we hadn’t realised he couldn’t swim.

As Cathy had hysterics Andy managed a splendid bit of helmsmanship and brought the bow gently back to where it had been before, no mean feat in such winds. Frank was able to step back onto the boat and let go of the tree. Apart from some muddy marks, minor scratches and dented pride, no harm done.

After this episode and knowing that the moorings adjacent to the Ferryboat were silted – what a surprise – we headed back to the Pike and went for some much-needed alcohol and lunch on board. A good demonstration of things not to do when boating.

1 ½ hours, no locks (thank God)

Some of Steve’s colleagues from his old firm had organised a re-union in the Cutter Inn at Ely on June 12^th. We decided to go by water. We left the Pike at 4.15pm and an uneventful run to the Twentypence Inn. Moored within a foot of the bank at the end furthest from the road bridge. Had a few in the pub and a gammon steak supper. It was overcast, dead calm and extremely cold.

3 ½ hours, 2 locks

        Outside the (now demolished) 'Twenty-pence Inn'

We woke to the sound of rain. It cleared up long enough for the dog to have a run before we left but within 10 minutes of leaving the most fearful storm blew across; black as night, thunder, lightning and torrential rain.

Steve’s gloves filled with water and when he instinctively raised his hand to a narrowboat coming the other way, he got a glove full of water straight down the inside of his sleeve. We winded the boat in the entrance to Ely marina and tied up outside the Cutter at exactly 11am as the storm blew away and the sun came out. After a complete change of clothes we went off to the reunion which was fun and we drank too much beer.

Afterwards we showed some friends around ‘Tambourine’ and slipped the ropes at 5.30pm, mooring across the small jetties outside the Fish and Duck pub at 6.30. Had a bar snack, chatted to other boaters and bed at midnight.

3 hours, no locks

Left at 9.30, dull, still morning. Cooked chicken drumsticks on the moorings at Aldreth Bridge and a gentle wander back in the sunshine. Arrived Hermitage lock at 2.30 where the relief keeper let the water in at a colossal rate and chucked us all over the place. At Brownshill we ended up straddling the lock pen due to a misunderstanding between helmsman and crew but sorted it out in the end. Arrived back at the Pike at 4. Stuart Liddell from Needingworth called by for a chat. We left for home at 6pm.

5 hours, 2 locks

Roger from NB Turnotheworld called to see us. We went down to the boat and took him for a short run up to the staunch and back, followed by supper in the Pike. A beautiful calm sunny evening but when we got halfway home afterwards we realised we hadn’t secured the cratch covers down – curses - and had to go back again to do it. Eventually got home after 1am.

1 hour no locks

A beautiful, still evening. We arrived at 7 and had a chinese dinner sitting on a bench at the mooring. Meg went back at 10 pm for work the next day. A couple in the pub and bed by 11.15pm

Meg arrived with John and Deb at mid-day. We had a couple in the Pike then set off for the Mill House at Hartford Marina around 3. Passed through St,Ives, Hemingford and Houghton locks and arrived at the moorings outside the pub at 7pm. A huge dinner and bed at 11.30. Weather overcast but not cold.

4 hours, 3 locks

Awoke to rain and strong winds. After breakfast, had a wander round the marina and a birthday glass of Buck’s Fizz. John fired the champagne cork out of the side doors; he scored a direct hit on a duck and winded it. Picked up water and diesel, then left Hartford at 12.30. Stopped at the Dolphin at St.Ives for a late lunch.

Wind was very strong and gusty and gave us some problems at the approach to St.Ives lock. Sun came out later and quite pleasant out of the wind when we got back to the Pike at 6.45pm.

4 hours, 3 locks

On a routine t.l.c. visit last weekend the under-sink water pipe blew off again so we removed the offending joint and completely replaced it with a new one. Today we arrived at 2.45pm intended to go down to the Westview for the evening; but we learned that Brownshill Staunch was broken and unlikely to be fixed for several days as the EA needed to bring a crane in. So stayed in the marina and did odd jobs. Got very drunk.

Woke with a fearful hangover. Delayed departure till 11.30 am to recover. A warm sunny day and a straightforward run through St.Ives lock arriving at Nobles’ Field moorings for lunch at 1.15 after a slight delay trying to find a spot deep enough for us. Left at 2 pm. At the approach to Hemingford lock, Mop slipped her collar and tried to leap from boat to tow-path across too big a gap and went straight into the river – and swam for the lock entrance just as the gates were opening. We let go of the boat and managed to pull her out – weighs a ton when wet through – and tied her up back on board, completely traumatised poor thing. So were we. Worked through Hartford lock with NB Florence and a couple of cruisers. Trying to maneouver in the lock and the bow-thruster failed again. The bloody thing is beginning to rack us off big time.

Completely lost it trying to moor at the pub jetty at Hartford marina and Steve’s attempts to retrieve the situation just made it worse. There is now one less tree on the bank. It was just the last straw, the whole afternoon had been crap so we went to the pub and ate from their outside bar-b-q.

Later on, a quick check of the bow-thruster revealed that one of the heavy-duty leads from the alternator had dropped off its battery terminal. Heaven knows how long the batteries hadn’t been charging.

4 ½ hours, 3 locks

There was a stiff breeze and increasing cloud this morning. Left Hartford after a water-fill at 10.15 and worked through Godmanchester and Brampton locks. Outside Brampton the engine started to vibrate dreadfully. We limped it on tickover to Buckden Marina and tied up outside only to find their mechanic had got a day off.

A guy working on his boat in next-door Carter’s boatyard came and helped with an inspection. The vibration had shaken the air-filter off its manifold and the dip-stick was half-way out of its hole in the block. There was no sign of obstruction round the prop and the mountings seemed secure enough. We re-started and after a short period of very lumpy running the engine settled down.

Our friend called another ‘engine man’ from Offord called Dennis who also had a look round. He couldn’t offer any explanation for the problem but left us his phone number in case in happened again.

We had lunch at Buckden and left at 2pm. Worked through Buckden and St.Neots locks in company of a cruiser and arrived at River Mill Boats at Eaton Socon (where we had pre-booked a mooring for the night) at 5pm. Had a first-class bar meal in the River Mill pub and retired at 10.30pm.

5 hours, 4 locks

Walked into Eaton Socon after breakfast to get money from the cash machine at the garage and some groceries. Left at 11am and had some difficulty getting off the landing stage due to the strong wind. At the same time NB Florence was having nearly as much trouble approaching the jetty as we were having leaving it!

Through Eaton Socon lock the heavens opened and it rained stair-rods for over half an hour. But the locks were all with us and we made good progress; by Roxton the sun was out again. We arrived at Great Barford at 3pm and got the only mooring on the pub side just as the previous occupant was leaving it. Phoned Cathy to tell her where we were and sat in the sunshine until she arrived at 6.30pm. After a chicken and pasta supper Cathy left for home at 9.30pm and we had a couple of drinks in the Anchor before bed.

3 ½ hours, 3 locks

Windy and overcast this morning. Left Gt.Barford at 10 am and stomped on to Bedford; it was a slow journey as all the big locks were against us. There was no other traffic around at all. Arrived at Priory Marina at 2pm and tied up on the left-hand bank inside the entrance.

Arranged to meet JJ and Nancy in the Priory pub at 7.00 and then walked to Tescos for provisions. If we’d known how far it was we’d have been tempted to take a taxi. Steve met the others in the bar while Meg prepared a huge roast dinner. Port, coffee and cigars followed dinner and we sat talking until it was very late indeed.

4 hours, 3 locks

                Visitor moorings at Priory Marina

We slept in late today. After filling with diesel and water we left Priory at 11am. An uneventful run back to Great Barford and we had the whole journey to ourselves; no other boats moving at all. Had a late lunch after a 3pm arrival and walked into the village to get groceries, post-cards etc. Wrote the cards out and Steve walked to the post-box with them and had a pint in the Anchor. A spag-bog supper and some of our ‘NZ Special red’ wine, took Mop for a long haul across the fields and hit the sack at 10.30. A grey mizzly day but a good forecast for tomorrow. The length of the river between here and Bedford is for our money the prettiest part of the Great Ouse by far and so incredibly quiet.

4 hours, 3 locks

   Tranquil mooring at Great Barford

It was a glorious morning – we were away by 9 and stamped off to Eaton Socon.

As we lined up for the awkward upstream landing stage at Eaton Socon lock we saw it was festooned with fishing rods. An assortment of characters were posing with the rods while a photographer took pictures of them (for a fishing magazine advertisement, we later discovered).

As we approached very cautiously, Meg leant out from the bow and suggested to the assembled that unless they wanted their expensive-looking rods reduced to matchwood, it would be politic to shift them – which they did, but not very graciously. Amazing, isn’t it - the navigable Great Ouse is 75 miles long and so has 150 miles of bank – but people just HAVE to play fishing off the handful of landing stages provided for the boats.

Tied up at the Rivermill for a quick water top-up and bog-empty at 12.30 and carried on downstream intending to stop at the little GOBA mooring below Offord lock.

On arrival we found it shallow and useless. So we crossed over to Buckden Marina and stumped up the £5 mooring fee. We had a couple of drinks in the luxurious Marina club bar and then went back for a splendid ‘mixed meat and noodle sog’ for supper. We sat in the sun and several people walked down to see us and made nice comments about the boat. We stayed there until well after dark. A great day but very few boats on the move.

5 ½ hours, 5 locks

    Visitor moorings at Buckden Marina

We were away from Buckden by 9, another cloudless day and promising to be extremely hot.

Downstream of Brampton lock the river was suddenly full of boats with some considerable delays at the locks – in sharp contrast to the previous two days when we hardly saw anyone at all. We moored at the EA island below Houghton lock for lunch; it was very hot and we couldn’t decide whether to go on or to stay. We stayed but there is no access to the island other than by boat and we got a bit bored.

By 5pm all the moorings on the island were taken. We learned from the crew of a narrowboat that had come upstream that there were no moorings to be had between the island and the Pike and Eel. Boats were 3 and 4 abreast in St.Ives and in one spot a scuffle had broken out when a late-comer had tried to squeeze into too small a space. After supper we finished the bottle of NZ Special Red and turned in around 11pm.

3 ½ hours, 3 locks

   Evening mooring on Houghton Island

We were away from the island at 9.15 hoping to beat the rush; there was a lot of traffic but no great lock delays. There were lots of rowing boats around Hemingford meadow and as we carefully skirted the ‘Hemingford shoal’ we had to give a single sculler rowing like a dingbat with his back to us a blast with the horn. He was not a happy bunny at having to take some evasive action. Shared the journey with a cruiser for most of the way; the crew were in a hurry to get wherever they were going; they raised the guillotine gate at St.Ives lock far too quickly and we very nearly lost control of Tambourine completely. However, more haste, less speed – 100 yards out of the lock they realised they had left their security key in the control box. Replacements are over 4 quid each - explaining why they went back for it.

We arrived back at the Pike at mid-day. A couple in the pub and some lunch, followed by a clear-up and away for home at 4.30pm.

3 ¾ hours, 2 locks

Since our last trip there has been 4 weeks of horrendous weather – rain, gales and storms. Left at around 4.30pm a quiet trip up to Westview for a bar-snack at the Riverview with Tony and Christine from Bluntisham. The seals are back at Westview and we got some good shots of one of the babies basking on the steps.

1 ½ hours, 1 lock

    The seals are back at Westview

A beautiful sunny morning. We couldn’t get gas at Westview (sold out of our size of bottle) so reversed out of the marina and set off back upstream again. A slight delay in Brownshill when the interlocks stuck and the upstream gate wouldn’t open but after a bit of juggling with the downstream gate we manage to coax it into working. Spent the rest of the day loafing around.

1 ¼ hours, 1 lock

Arrived at 3pm to clean up and smarten the boat ready to take Bill and Jenny Rodda on the ‘cruise + 3-course lunch’ prize they’d won in the village hall raffle.

Up at 7.45 and took the boat round to the diesel jetty only to find that Chuck the marina manager had lost the keys and couldn’t unlock the pump. Bill and Jenny arrived at 10 and after coffee we had a pleasant run to Nobles Field moorings on the far side of St.Ives where we lunched. Noticed that the river flow had increased considerably during the day and we had troubles making the pontoon upstream of St.Ives lock so resorted to standing off for around 10 minutes while a cruiser came through. Equally the turn into the current to line up for the entrance to the Pike marina was interesting. Arrived back at 4.45pm.

5 hours, 2 locks

Andy and Ali arrived at 9.30pm. We settled them in and then went to the pub.

One look at the weather put an end to cruising plans for today. Cold, blowing a gale and raining stair-rods. Spend a pleasant day eating, drinking, reading and chatting.

A better day, still breezy but with a bit of watery sunshine. Left the Pike at 10.30 and tied up outside the Dolphin pub in St.Ives at 12.30. After lunch the girls went shopping; Andy and I washed up and gave Tambourine a bit of a clean-down inside. Got back to the Pike at 4.30pm and finally left at 6.

3 hours, 2 locks

    St.Ives lock. Andy has the helm.