Monthly Archive: August 2010

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Out of signal in Upwell

Quick update from Son-In-Law here. No blog post yesterday due to lack of 3G signal in Upwell. Normal service should resume today.

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Sights and sounds of Ely

Thursday 12th August: A day moored up at Ely       Though now at 7pm the sun is shining brightly, this has been a rare occurrence today.  At best grey cloud, at worst very heavy rain – and all degrees of leaky skies in between.       We walked up to the Cathedral, via the rural route through the grounds, past hedges and slopes, horses and trees. You come across curiosities in this place, like the florally enhanced bike outside a teashop...

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Aspire to Ely…

Wednesday 11th August: St Ives to Ely,  22 miles, 3 locks       The three dish Thai meal last night was superb, cooked by a near professional it would seem, since Simon the Navigator indicated that he had taken a Thai food cookery course – in Thailand! We were picked up as planned, right beside the statue of Oliver Cromwell, conveyed to Houghton and Wyton, the back roads and village streets stirring distant memories. How the chaps talked, often opening with...

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Idling into St Ives

Tuesday 10th August: Godmanchester to St Ives 6.5 miles, 3 locks    Cygnet Award During our watery meanderings we have espied many swans, some obviously rearing families. Some of the offspring have been a fair size, a few quite small. Most make high pitched squealy noises and most parent swans are doing a wonderful job of protecting their young. One swan, however, is to be mentioned, but not as an award winner.   He (somehow I think it was a he) presumptuously attempted to...

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Drifting downstream with the dragonflies

Monday 9th August: Great Barford to Godmanchester, 17.25 miles, 6 locks.   To start with old news: picture attached of the trophy awarded in honour of our night-time illuminations at the Bedford River Festival.   It’s been a simply beautiful day – clear blue skies, excellent visibility and relatively gentle breezes.  We made an early start, 0815 into the Great Barford lock, although Adventurer the other narrowboat moored nearby, had already departed. . The river between Great Barford and Roxton is...

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The saga continues…

Sunday 8th August: Bedford Priory Marina to Great Barford, 6 miles, 3 locks   So on a sunny afternoon we set out, embarking on the 300 plus mile trip back to the Macclesfield Canal. The boat is laden with clothes for all seasons (well, September can be nippy once north of the Midlands!) and with substantial food supplies: indeed I keep coming across more boxes and packets of breakfast cereal.  Is there a shortage “up north” that I have not been aware...