Lost on the Lark.

We were moored up and there were a couple of cruisers on the GOBA length with us, otherwise all was quiet.

Well it was until this bloke started to fly around. Later on it started to rain slightly and then just a bit of drizzle. It can rain every night for me.

On the Stretham moorings there was this hull upside down on the bank. It looks like somebody had started to re-plate the bottom but you wouldn't have thought it to be worth while really. 

We passed the old engine house that drove a Boulton and Watt steam double acting rotating beam that worked a scoop wheel at 4 rpm and lifted 30 tons at a go. The plaque states the engine house was erected in AD 1831 and lists the Commissioners, all nine of them.

At the confluence of the River Cam and the Old West River is the Fish and Duck Marina and this footbridge. The waterway then become the River Great Ouse once more.

As we approached Ely we were treated to the closing sight of the Cathedral on the hill. The rowers are something to do with Cambridge University judging by their light blue colours.

We stopped in Ely to take on water and for Helen to go up the road to post a letter.  Once we left and close to the railway bridge this individual boat was moored up. It seems there are rebels even on the rivers.

We were soon at the junction of the River Lark and we headed down for a look see. The first part is dead straight.

Slowly the weed seemed to build up and I was getting a little worried. We then passed a hi-tec weed cutting boat, moored up, but obviously being used. Then we passed a series of boats coming our way, including a wide beam so I was less worried then.

There are two sets of EA moorings marked on the map. The first are closed with wire screens placed to prevent access. The water tap seems to be walking though. Just round the corner, under the road bridge, there is another mooring with room for a couple of boats. The church was built on piles in 1868. There is no graveyard as the water table is so high. It is no longer a church though as the sign on the door say that it has been sold for residential development.

Unusually the small war memorial seems to be fairly unattended, especially after all the WWI commemorations of late.

The main attraction of Prickwillow, named for the skewers of willow that were made here, was the Drainage Engine Museum. We missed all the excitement as at the weekend the Mayor of Ely was present to open the porch entrance to the museum, round the back. It was closed but did look to be well laid out through the window. The plaque on the gable end gives the date of 1880 with the initials of WH and JS. There was a W. Hall as one of the commissioners on the Stretham Old Engine house.

We spent the afternoon sitting in the sun and reading. I couldn't summon the energy to do any 'jobs' on the boat, or even wash the side. I could have done both sides as there is room to turn her round here. Missed opportunity I'm afraid.