We did not go to Downham Market

Our plan for the next couple of days was to travel down to Denver, which is apparently the largest flood control facility on the country.  There we would join the Relief Channel, the flood bypass for the Great Ouse, to Downham Market for a bit of shopping. However the journey from Hilgay mooring to Denver Sluice was unenjoyable as we were faced with a strong cold headwind.   The weather forecast shows similar winds for the next few days so we decided to leave the Great Ouse today.

Great Crested Grebe on a precarious nest, we saw 1 egg

Waiting outside Denver lock

After arriving at Denver at 10:30 the lock keeper told us that after 1pm we could go through the tidal section of the Great Ouse below Denver to Salter's Lode Lock to take us onto the Middle Levels.  Before this time the river would be too shallow.

In Salters Lode Lock

Our departure was delayed to 14:30 when we ascended onto the tidal river.  The journey to Salters Lode was straightforward.  However entering the lock was not because its entrance is at a sharp angle to the river which had a strong incoming tide.  The technique with a rising tide is to travel past the lock entrance, turn the boat around, travel up with the tide. and then a quick turn off the river gets one into the lock. But it all requires careful judgement and timing.

I turned a bit too early and by the time the bow of the boat was near the lock entrance the tide was pushing it well off course.  Fortunately with some extra engine power and forceful steering I was able to just avoid the entrance wall and get the boat safely into the lock.  Later the lock keeper explained my error but said that the two previous boats coming down had both hit the wall.

We have moored at Sadlers Lode for the night.

3.5 miles 2 Locks 1.5 hours moving