After our lovely time in Wisbech we had our next bid adventure. We had to wait for the berthing of the Fast Wil before we could depart, and of course Daryl our Wash Guide.
It was just after the ship berthed that Daryl arrived and we set off immediately as it was just after high water.
We were soon clear of Wisbech and the river widened up a bit. We passed Sutton Bridge at a fair clip. The bridge and ships provided a welcome distraction but Daryl's information and stories made the time pass quickly. This is at the entrance of the River Nene and to the right is the island called rather fetchingly the Outer Trial Bank, after a trial where two islands were built to test the feasibility of building a barrage across the Wash. It was found that the water impounded would not be fresh enough and it would be too expensive. The seals seem to prefer the mud to the stones.
We sailed out the fairway of the Nene and over to the start of the Welland and the Witham, the route into Boston. As we were on a falling tide we had to wait for the water to start rising so we just parked up against this sand bank. The breeze was blowing us on so we were able to go inside and eat cake and drink tea, and swap more stories with Daryl.
On the right is the Haven Beacon that marks the way into Boston and to the left is the Tab Head beacon that marks the bifurcation of the two rivers. To the left the Welland that leads to Fosdyke and Spalding that in times past were busy ports in their own right.
This is the site of the Boston Barrier that is being built to prevent flooding in the town. I'm not sure what the arrangements will be to transit through, or how they will keep it clear of mud! Right ahead is Black Sluice. This was navigable for about 20' as the South Forty Foot Drain. The original lock fell out of use in the 1960's but was reinstated in 2009 as the start of the route to circumvent the Wash crossing by linking together drains and rivers from here to Spalding and then to Peterborough to join up with the Middle Levels.
There didn't seem much water as we trickled in knowing that we would have to wait a while anyway. We were passed by about half a dozen cruisers so we knew we would be tail end charlie.
You can see the lock full of cruisers and one waiting with us. We were just about perfect timing as it was almost on a level when we went through and onwards to tie up on the pontoons a little out of town.
We went for a stroll later and for a celebratory pint at the Goodbarns Yard. The pub is on the 'quaint' cobbled Wormgate that leads to the Stump. It seems that the pub is named after the yard to the right that at one time had about eight properties down it. The building is said to be about 700 years old. I think it must have got it's name in the later 1700's though as a John Goodbarne lived there from at least 1799 to 1810. I think he then moved to nearby Freiston. The area certainly wasn't as quaint as it may appear as it regularly flooded in the past, and the folk that lived down the Yard were not of the most top rank. The homes must have been quite lowly as it seems the old and poor lived down there. In 1869 an argument among the residents ended up in court. The judge was obviously weary of dealing with them all as he said that at least every month one of them appeared before him, and the whole yard turned out to give evidence for one side or another, In 1881 one of them was fined for not sending their children to school. The pub had a much better clientele when we arrived, although there were few. The pub had alot of the old rooms knocked through, but still discreet areas. The narrowish frontage belies how far back it goes. There was a large beer garden overlooking the river too. They seemed to provide meals as much as beer and they did look reasonable, but we did not partake.
They didn't have much choice of beer on but they did have a Timothy Taylor's! This norther brewery, from Keighley, has become very popular over the last years, and quite right too. I'm not sure how they do it but I have never had a bad pint of their beer, anywhere. The brewery is still family owned. It was set up in 1858 by a partnership of three, including the eponymous Timothy Taylor. That was in Cook Lane in the town. By 1863 he had bought his partners out and decided to build a new brewery at Knowle Springs in the town. He had financial help from his father in law. In 1894 they had the well dug that still supplies the Pennine water to the brewery today. This started several years of expansion culminating in 1911 with a up to date business. Luckily a bid to by the company by Allsopp's Brewery fell through. In 1991 they bought a ten barrel plant that had been at the Oldham's Brewery and they now use this for seasonal and trial beers.
Landlord was created in 1952 by Philip Taylor and went on to win many prizes and cemented the company's name around the country and not just regionally. It is certainly one of my favourites, and in fact has won more awards than any other beer. It is said to have the highest proportion of drinkers that call it their favourite! It's 4.3% has a lovely amber colour with a nice head. The aroma is fruity and taste is a slight sweetness that I like then a nice bitterness to the end. The barley is Golden Promise and the three hops are Stryian Goldings, Goldings and Fuggles. If there is nothing new to try this is always a great choice.
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