We had decided that we would crack on this morning to get to Bedford as soon as possible so we were off at 0900.
Not before I was able to go to the bridge that crosses over to the marina opposite our berth and take the photo of 'Holderness' with the Maltings in the background and Quay Street.
There was nobody on the water point so we went up there to wind and take water before re turning through Ely and on our way. The River Great Ouse remained wide and deep until Pope's Corner where the River Cam joins. From here the river becomes the Old West River and shrinks in size and more like much of the River Nene, and more canal like.
This is the Streatham Old pumping station, one of a hundred steam engines that were used to manage the southern fends. It was built in 1831 and is the largest surviving example. Just behind the electricity pole is the stokers cottage and next to it the diesel house and blacksmith's shop. The large triangular gable on the main engine house is the scoop wheel house and largely hidden behind is the boiler and the 75' chimney.
After the Lazy Otter marina and pub the river shrinks some more and has large lengths of piled bank that run in the bottom of the higher flood banks. Despite the lack of distant views there was always things to see by the canal, along with plenty of bends to keep your attention.
We got the shock of our lives as we peered in the water near to Flat Bridge as we saw some thing staring back at us!! It was a seal!! We had been reading about a frequent seal visitor to the tidal section ahead, but we were unprepared for one that must have passed through a lock to get here. By the time I had recovered enough to pick up the camera I just got the back of its head in the middle of the picture.
We arrived at Hermitage Lock that is manned and pens you up into a tidal stretch of the river. The lock closes for lunch and we got there with just enough time for us to grab a bite to eat ourselves.
I can't really work out how this works but the tide come in up the New Bedford River that flows from next to Denver Sluice and is another route to navigate. I can't understand how there is water in this stretch when the tide is out! As you can see it wider here once again and is once again known as the River Great Ouse.
The lock up out of the tidal section of about two miles us via Brownshill Staunch that has electric guillotines at either end and we shared with a boat.
Similar to the canals there are a few boats that shouldn't really be lived upon, and some that should be cleared away, bit not too many.
Not a bad mooring by the Old Ferry Boat In next to Holywell.
The none tidal section get narrower and more bendy so is a nice time to be steering along. There are shallow spots but didn't bother us.
After St.Ives Lock you are soon engaged by the site of the Town Bridge. The original was a wooden one but this one was erected in 1425. The arches out of site to the left were replaced with rounded arches as the old ones had been destroyed by the Parliamentary Forces to install a drawbridge to protect the town.
We passed under the bridge and edged into a little by-water that is called the Waits with moorings. After get tied up we had a walk into town to have a look see.
From the bridge the Town Quay looks lovely. You are able to moor here too, but we thought it a little high for getting on and off the boat. St. Ives was a great inland port and at one time had the largest animal market outside of London and had over 68 pubs over the years.
Town bridge has the buttresses and you can still see the hinges for the gates of the toll gates. The Chapel on the bridge is one of only three found on bridges. The other two are in Rotherham and Wakefield! Here it was first built in 1426 and dedicated to St. Leger, not the horse race. It has also been a toll house an in and a private house when it had two storeys added made of brick. It was restored to the original in 1930.
Later in the evening we were paid a visit by Helen and Zack who are sister and nephew to one of our friends from home and who live in the next village. Young Zack had wanted to see a narrow boat so they had the royal tour, plus biscuits!!
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