Brandon - 4 hours journey to Tesco and back

Today we completed our aim of reaching Brandon in Suffolk which marks the end of the of the Little Ouse at least as far as it is possible to go on a narrowboat.

Lock and weir at Brandon

We set off at 9am and cruised the 6 miles up the Little Ouse through quite attractive countryside in hot sunny weather. We were disappointed to again fail to see a kingfisher, nor any Golden Orioles.  Arriving at 11am we moored up just below the lock which prevents any further progress, it being 40 foot long whereas we are 57 foot. We had thought about staying the night here after shopping for the next 3 days.  However we decided to return to yesterday's mooring as it seemed more interesting.

Twin floodgates to divert the Little Ouse water away from the Great Ouse

After lunch we left Brandon and travelled with the stream back to our mooring.  The peace and quiet of the morning was not repeated thanks to the repeated low level fly-past of a couple of US fighter jets, Lakenheath and Mildenhall being close-by. On the way I took the photo of the flood gates where the Cut-Off channel passes beneath the river.  During times of flood the flow down the river is blocked and the water is allowed to flow into the Cut-Off channel which collects flood water from all of the tributaries and sends it directly to the Wash.

12.14 miles, 0 locks, 4 hours 5 minutes

Up the Little Ouse

The Lttle Ouse (aka Brandon Creek) is one of the 3 or 4 tributaries of the Great Ouse navigable for several miles.  It is the only one we have never cruised before so now is a good time to have a look at it.

Cruising on the Little Ouse

We set off at 10am from our mooring on the Great Ouse and turned right onto the Little Ouse.  As we were against both the wind and a noticeable flow of the river our speed was limited to about 3 mph and for most of the time we kept to a steady 2.7.  The river is much smaller than the Great Ouse but still reasonably wide and deep.  The scenery is a lot more interesting as there good views of the countryside thanks to the general absence of high flood banks and much of the riverside is lined with trees.

Moored at Hockwold Fen

The first couple of miles are spoilt by the long line of boat morings but when one leaves them behind everything is peaceful and attractive.  5 miles later at lunchtime we stopped at the only moorings on the river other than those at each end.

Sadly we have yet still to see a kingfisher and there was little birdlife around apart from pigeons.  However we chatted to another boater who told us the cranes and golden oriole could be found near to the moorings and that kingfishers are common further up river.  So we are hopng for the best.

7.34miles 0 locks 3 hours cruisng.

Down to Denver Sluice and back

No photos today, nothing much to photograph.  Though we did see some cows on the river bank (for the significance see yesterday's blog).

We filled up again with water first thing this morning and then cruised down river to Denver Sluice to empty the waste tank and then back up the river to the start of the Little Ouse (aka Brandon Creek) which we will be exploring for a few days starting to morrow.

9.24 miles, 0 locks, 3.25 hors cruising

Down the Great Ouse again

Cruising down the Lark

Sadly our special journey to Prickwillow was not rewarded with a view of a kingfisher.  This morning the weather was perfect as we returned back along the Lark.  On reaching the Great Ouse our journey took us down the river for 2 miles when we stopped at Littleport to wash the boat as the roof had a dirty deposit dating from last winter.  Once one side of the boat was clean it was time for lunch.  Leaving at 1pm we travelled a further 6 miles to Hilgay Bridge on the opposite side of the river where we washed the other side of the boat.   We are spending the night here before moving onto Denver Sluice to empty our waste tank.

I havent included another picture of the Great Ouse - according to our guide book the locals say "it is quite exciting to see a cow on the banks".  But we failed to see a cow, just a flock of sheep.

11 miles 0 locks 3.5 hours travelling.

Prickwillow on the Lark

Yesterdays restful day in Ely finished at an excellent Turkish Restaurant.  After breakfast we had a quick trip to Waitrose as there will be no shops until sometime on Saturday.  Then we moved off to the waterpoint to fill our tank for the first time one this voyage.

Typical Great Ouse scenary north of Ely

Then down the Great Ouse.  The section north of Ely is not very interesting, the river being wide and straight with the countryside beyond hidden by the flood banks.  The one saving grace was that the conditions enabled us to cruise at a fairly steady 4mph, without any real load on the engine.

Moored at Prickwillow

After about 3 miles we turned off the Great Ouse onto the River Lark, a small tributary.  Another 3 miles took us to the moorings at the delightfully named very small village of Prickwillow where we stopped at lunchtime.  We had wanted to moor here again as the last time we had visited breakfast was enlivened by excellent views of a feeding kingfisher which eventually perched on our roof.  Sadly though we have not seen one (yet).

6 miles 0 locks 2 hours 10 mins cruising

Quiet day in Ely

Denise polishing the brassworkwhilst we moor in Ely

Having a rest today after the past 5 days on the move.  There was heavy rain yesterday afternoon and rain again this afternoon, so we dont regret our decision.  From tomorrow the weather forecast is looking much better.

We will be eating out tonight in a nearby Turkish restaurant

Ely

Ely Cathedral from 3 miles away

Only a short 4 mile journey into Ely today.  We left at 10:20 andf had an easy cruise joining the Cam at Popes Corner and then down the deep and wide Great Ouse at about 3.5mph towards the city of Ely.  The cathedral was visible for most of the journey dominating the skyline for miles around.

We arrived at 11:30 and were surprised to see the most desirable moorings empty.  After mooring we walked into the city for the next 4 days shopping and a very good lunch at the Blue Bar, a local bar/bistro.  On our return to the boat all moorings had been taken so we were lucky to get here early.

3.8 miles, 0 locks 1.25 hours cruising