Thursday 17 June 2010

From Upwell Town Staithe, to Hilgay, River Wissey, River Great Ouse

Today, we continued along the Nene Ouse Navigation Link moving along Well Creek, a narrow thread of water, wrestling with tough strands of bright green weed at times. At Nordelph, another village that lines both sides of the water, each in a different county, but having attractive houses, even an old windmill, now residential. We reached Salters Lode a little early and so had to wait for the lock keeper to say when conditions were right, and he would allow us into the lock and out on to the River Great Ouse. This is tidal water, going to Kings Lynn if we turn left, or to Denver Sluice to the right, which is our route. So full power on oncwe had passed under the raised electric guillotine gate, and hard turn right, and the sluice was then in our sight. Although a short stretch of water to the sluice, there was quite a buffeting from the strong wind and waves. To our surprise, we passed a hire boat doing the stretch in reverse. They would have had quite a job turning into Salters Lode lock in these conditions. We couldn't watch as we had our our own moves to make!

A little sigh of relief as we reached the sanctuary of the lock alongside Denver Sluice. Once through the lock we were greeted by a wide expanse of river, and we moved upstream, and soon turned left, and on to the River Wissey. This stretch of water has been recommended and it immediately becomes evident why. It is a quiet backwater, no habitation, but almost like boating through a nature reserve. We spot the moorings provided by the local boat association, which we will probably use tomorrow on our return down the Wissey. We quietly move along and eventually come into the hamlet of Hilgay, and moor. A pub and butchers shop selling everything and neatly kept houses, but the bypass has meant the petrol station is no more.