Back on the Nene

At Salters Lode I took a walk with my camera and this photo of the Old Bedford River shows a typical view of the Middle Levels. 

The Old Bedford River stretches to the horizon

From Salters Lode we set off across the Middle Levels on the Old Nene which was slow going because the waterway is shallow, narrow and has plenty of bends. 

Travelling on the Old Nene

At Upwell we stopped on the unusual moorings which are maintained by the Well Creek Trust.   They've created seating and a garden on the bank side and in among the flowers we spotted strawberry plants, a gooseberry bush, rhubarb and even a young grape vine.  

Leaving the moorings at Upwell

The next day we continued at a slow pace until reaching Marmont Priory Lock which took us into deeper waters.  The moorings at March were busy but luckily as we arrived another boat was just leaving.   

The wind was blowing as we left March and as we sailed along the wide drains we noticed a strange phenomenon.  Whichever direction we travelled we always seemed to be sailing head-on into strong wind.  On arrival at Whittlesey we were sheltered from the wind and enjoyed sitting out in the park next to the mooring.    Sailing out of the town we negotiated the infamous Whittlesey Bend, a right angled turn on a narrow section of the drain.  

 

Approaching Whittlesey Bend 

We seem to have been fated with heavy rain whenever we've booked a passage through a lock on this trip and Stanground Lock was no exception.  Luckily we didn't have long to wait before the lock-keeper put us through onto the River Nene.  The moorings at Peterborough were just a short distance away.  

On Saturday the weather brightened and we sailed out of Peterborough passing under several bridges. 

Sailing out of Peterborough

Our next destination was Ferry Meadows Country Park which had been recommended by other boaters.  We nearly missed the narrow entrance channel which cut through a wood and led to an enormous lake.  Two pontoons provided visitor moorings in this wonderful setting. 

A humorous sculpture of a duck family in the country park with Brent III on the pontoons in the background

The country park was busy with the last event of the Spring Bank Holiday, a wildlife day.  Groups of children were scooping out aquatic creatures with fishing nets or wafting large bug nets while others were busy completing quiz sheets.  The park was also busy with outdoor activities; sailing, canoeing, kite flying and groups of people making good use of the barbecue facilities.  I enjoyed a long walk round and a carved wooden owl in a tree caught my eye.

A carved wooden owl in a tree

The Nene Valley Railway runs alongside the park and I was lucky to see a steam engine.  Just after I'd taken the picture a huge amount of that black smoke billowed out and totally obscured my view. 

Nene Valley steam engine

The next day we moored at the Nene Valley Railway station at Wansford and I hoped to see another steam engine.  Although the train was running it was being pulled by a drab diesel engine but at least we weren't engulfed by smoke when it passed. 

Rain and strong winds were forecast on Monday so we set off early heading back through woodlands and countryside which has some gentle hills.  The landscape has changed dramatically from the flat Fens.  Once again we saw the red kites soaring overhead and Kev soon had his camera out. 

Kev took this amazing photo of a red kite

The wind was picking up in strength as we tied up for the day at Fotheringhay.  The lambs have grown bigger and bolder since we were last here and came over to look in the windows and have a nibble at our fender ropes.  

A curious lamb looks in

Our journey from Salters Lode to Fotheringhay