Bye bye Platinum Fox

 Friday 23rd May 2025

A visit to Ely

We handed back the tidy boat just after 9am. As soon as we were off she was moved round to the engineering dock to have a replacement window fitted.

On our drive home we made two stops. The first was to March Butchers shop, when we passed it last Friday they were advertising Beef and Horseradish sausages so we wanted some to take home. Unfortunately they were last weeks 'special' and no longer available. We contented ourselves with three other varieties as well as Popeye Pork steaks (containing Mozzarella cheese, spinach and a little hint of chilli) which were loveley when we had them at home. An excellent butchers shop.

 

Then we went to visit Ely, a small town on the river Great Ouse with a wonderful cathedral. We didn't go right into the cathedral as we felt the admission charge was high, unlike Peterborough that was donation only. Every-one was chatty - our kind of people. We had a cup of tea and toasted sandwich for lunch and then visited Riverside Antiques Centre - a huge warehouse full of 'stuff'. We only managed to see half of it! We bought a couple of Xmas presents and had a self appointed challenge - buy something you really like for less than £10.

Graham spent a whole £6 on a pair of Wilkinson cantilever side cutters made in 1966 - not seen any like that since I worked for the MoD in the 70s. Brenda overspent (I win!!!) and paid £12.50p for 3 1/2 yards of cotton fabric. Things you don't see on bargain hunt.

Then a Mr Whippy cornet each sat on a riverside bench in the sun before driving home. An excellent trip!

G & B

Middle Levels - Day #7

 Thursday May 22nd 2025

Peterborough to March

We left Peterborough after a quiet night parkside. It was grey, cloudy and frankly cold. Where was the warm sunshine we had been promised for our holiday.

The windows on the river side of the boat were covered with discarded husks of insects that had come up the side of the boat in nymph form, then emerged into their adult bodies and flown off. At least we don't have to clean them all off.

 

Having allowed plenty of time, we arrived at Stanground lock 30 minutes early to find a boat just leaving the lock and so Tina waved us straight in. Five minutes and no hassle later, we were back onto Kings Dyke heading for Ashline lock in Whittlesea.

Brenda claims that this lock is a bu$$er when descending as the notice tells you to stay forward of the red line - which is so faint, you can hardly see it. Graham could see it because he wasn't wearing tinted glasses. A notice board near the lower lock landing states that the bottom gates should be left open, however there is nothing lockside to advise this, only that the lock should be left empty. Graham went back up and opened the gates before we left.

 

Our destination for the night was back at Fox's boatyard so that we could empty a lot of stuff into the car and go out for a curry at the Gurkha Spice restaurant in March. We were running early due to the timing at Stanground and so we stopped at another rural mooring near the Bevills leam junction f.or lunch. 

Graham set us off again, post lunch while Brenda had a snooze - making sarnies is very tiring apparently! We immediately passed over a Meridian signboard indicating that we had just transitioned from West to East. 

 

We arrived back at Fox's marina at 17:00. While arranging the loan of a gate key to allow us to drive into March, Graham was told that someone had driven into the side of the Gurkha Spice restaurant yesterday so they may be closed.

We packed and loaded the majority of our stuff into the car and then set off into March in search of somewhere to eat tonight.  As we drove into the centre of town, we spotted that it appeared to be open and so a quick U turn followed by parking in a layby allowed us to investigate. Yes! it was open and so we enjoyed a really good meal accompanied by a nice cool breeze coming through the hole on the front wall. It seems that a driver had suffered a heart attack whilst waiting at the junction opposite and had just driven across the road into the wall. The owners were busy trying to arrange repair quotes for the insurance.

 

We returned for our last night on Platinum Fox, an excellent holiday on new waters in a very comfortable boat that we felt at home on as soon as we started.

Middle Levels - Day #6

Wednesday May 21st 2025

Whittlesey to Peterborough

The fly-boys-and-girls were up early today. So was Graham. When he booked passage through Stanground lock, the person on the phone had told him it takes one hour travelling along Kings Dyke from Whittlesey to Stanground. Setting off at 09:15 we arrived at 10:35 - so one hour and twenty minutes then. This was confirmed by Tina, the lock keeper when we arrived. Immediately after leaving the moorings there is a very sharp left hand turn under a bridge which was quite tight for us but can be successfully manouvred by a 70foot boat. I wouldn't like to be steering that.

We passed through Stanground lock using the centre rope tied to a bollard and with our engine in forward gear to maintain stability in the lock - apparently the gate paddle water flows try to crash to boat against the bottom gates. We then travelled on to Peterborough emerging onto the River Nene (pronounced Neeen at this end) at the far end of the visitor moorings which were about half full. We travelled up, under the new road bridge, towards the town bridge where we turned and then moored up in Duck, Swan and Goose Poo world.

 

It was short walk, past the listed status Lido ( under going work ready to open in summer) to Peterborough Cathedral. We entered and were able to listen to the last section of an organ recital. It was terrific with the powerful music resounding in the wonderful space. Then a wander round enjoying centuries of fantastic craftsmanship, workmanship and art.

 

Is there a patron saint of chat? If so, she was apparent today as we chatted to a good few folk, ending up talking to three ladies who were working on a fine cross-stitch depicting an area of the catherdral ceiling.

 

Then into the city centre - we've run out of tea bags. There are many buildings of different centuries to admire. Poundland for the tea-bags and then a visit to the Salvation Army charity shop. Graham overheard the manager explaining to a new volunteer how much they recieve after the charges for card payments. It seemed a bit high compared to what Blood Bikes get charged for card payments, so we paid in cash.

Back onto the boat for a laze about with sunshine and added squacking (sic)

G & B

 

Middle Levels - Day #5

 Monday 19th May 2025

Ramsey mooring to Whittlesey

The sky jockeys were aloft at precisely 09:00, but we had been busy since 08:00. When Brenda awoke, she pulled back the curtains above the bed. Still not fully awake she was surprised that the bedroom window was frosted glass - however it had been broken by a flying stone from the strimmer last evening. On close inspection, the hopper of the window had a message and phone number written on it. The person strimming had apologised and left a contact number for us.

 

Graham phoned the boat yard and reported the incident and then emailed them the pictures of the message and broken window. He then went to Tescos and purchased a roll of brown parcel tape to stabilise the broken pane so that we could continue our trip, a thing he had to do once on Jannock. He had booked a passage through Stanground lock at 10:30 tomorrow so that we can visit Peterborough Cathedral. We didn't want to be delayed by waiting for a replacement window to be sorted.

 

Back up the arm to Lode End lock but we decided we didn't :- A. like to look of all the weed on the other side and B. need to get close to Stanground so that we can make our booked lock passage. We turned right onto the Old River Nene and followed it through Benwick to the junction with Whittlesey Dyke.

 

The rural cruise in nice sunny weather was wonderful. Frequent brief glimpses of Kingfishers until ... a juvenile flitted around at the front of the boat and then sped off. Two adults were also hanging about supervising their fledgling, then they were also gone in a flash. Lovely to see. All along this section there are numerous WWII defence bunkers strategically placed on the river bank, unlike those on the main canal system, they are not covered in graffiti. 

 

Turning left into Whittlesey Dyke, we continued on over the 'crossroads' with Bevills dyke and the Twenty foot drain and on to Ashline lock. This is an awkward lock as you need to remember the key for the enclosure (guess who didn't) and then empty the lock again once you have passed up through it. Your boat has to wait for you because there are fences preventing the lock crew from getting to the mooring at the leisure centre which is on the offside.

Once through, and lock emptied, we moved across and moored for the night. We were happy to see that there is a waterpoint at the leisure centre mooring that isn't shown on the maps or guide. We filled our tank as that was one of the things we needed to do tomorrow at Peterborough.

We went for a walk to the town centre where we found another Wetherspoons establishment which also had Graham's favourite beer on tap - result! A good meal and a couple of pints found us back at the boat where we met a local councillor buzzing around on his mobility scooter. He was busy litter picking and had to come to view the 'brand new' water tap. We chatted to him for about 20 minutes before he went off to continue his task. This is a nice mooring with pcnic tables under some trees if you want a bit of shade.

G & B

Middle Levels - Day #4

Monday 19th May 2025

Skylark rural mooring to Ramsey

After an exceedingly peaceful night in one of the most remote moorings (apart from the adjacent road) that we've ever stopped at, we awoke to blanket cloud in the sky. Breakfasted and ready to go, the sky had cleared to a nice blue and sunshine. The only disturbance we have really noticed are the fast jets (RAF?) that appear to inhabit these skies in pairs.

 

We set off down to the junction with the Forty foot drain where we turned right. Left goes to a dead end with no winding hole so unless you have another boat to do 'pull me - pull you' with, it's not worth all the reversing to visit.

 

When preparing for this trip, Graham packed a pint beer mug to bring. "They provide glasses" said Brenda, but after recent AirBnB experiences he didn't want to chance it. Platinum Fox has the most extensive kitchen equipment we have come across, but unfortunately no scales or measuring jug. Therefore a pint of jelly was made in his pint mug. Luckily large beer glasses are included in the inventory.

 

We travelled the Forty foot drain, past numerous farms and another couple of rural moorings before turning left onto the old river Nene. Then down towards Lodes End lock where we turned left again and travelled down to Ramsey. There are good moorings and a turning point at the bottom of this dead end.

 

We winded and then moored for the night. We need to visit the adjacent Tescos to reprovision and have a wander around the town. Back at the boat, we settled down for a peaceful evening when a contractor arrived and started strimming the grass ban He wasn't there long so didn't disturb us much.

G & B

Middle Levels - Day #3

 Sunday 18th May 2025

Salters lode to Skylark rural mooring.

Graham was up and made a cooked breakfast before going out to watch the boats transition to the Ouse on the incoming tide. The two waiting at Salters Lode went out together in the lock, turned sharp right and rode the incoming tide at a terrific speed up towards Denver sluice where they entered the lock once the descending boat had left. This boat made a bad turn against the tide and completely missed the Salters Lode lock entrance so had to turn again and travel further downstream before repeating his turn. This time he was far enough away to turn and line up for the lock entrance. You need to go well past the it and never take the power off during the turn in order to enter successfully.

 

 We left Salters Lode and retraced our route back towards Marmont Priory lock. Approaching Outwell we spotted a Kingfisher displaying a particularly vivid blue colour, possibly the brightest we've ever seen. In Outwell, we spotted the Crown pub so moored on the Fish and Chip shop mooring to see if we could get lunch.

 

By the bridge there was a signpost commemorating the old tramway that used to be here - the rolling stock from which were the inspiration for the tram engine 'Toby' and his coach 'Henrietta' in the Reverand Audrey's Thomas the tank engine books.

 

Unfortunately the Crown was a purveyor of mediocre beer and no food. We did have an interesting chat with another 'ex-boat owning' couple while we finished our drinks. Apparently the Globe in Upwell does not do food either. Never mind, we have sufficient supplies on board to cater for ourselves so we untied and continued down through Upwell to the lock. 

 

Going down the lock is just as much hard work for the lock working crew as coming up with numerous turns on stiff paddles needed to get the lock emptying. Once through, we eat on the move while continuing down to the junction with New Pophams Eau where we turned left.

Graham plans to moor for the night on the MLC (Middle Level Commissioners) mooring at Three Holes. On arrival, we found that it was fully occupied with no room for us, so we turned and headed down the Sixteen foot drain in the hope of finding somewhere to tie up down there. Partway down, on the adjacent road, there is a railway crossing with a manually worked set of gates. It would appear that low vehicles are able to use a very low bridge under the railway track when the gates are closed but vans and lorries have to wait.

After almost 2 hours cruising we found 'Skylark'  rural mooring which consisted of five round poles in the side of the waterway against a very steep bank. Basically nowhere to go and nothing to see, even if we can get off the boat. Perfect!

G & B

 

Middle levels - Day #2

 Saturday 17th May 2025

March to Salters Lode

After a quiet and comfortable night, today's planned departure was delayed, a call to the hire base instigated and Engineer visit to us at Library mooring in order to sort the TV - by fitting a replacement! A speedy and effective reaction - excellent. Brenda spent the time visiting the Saturday market in town followed by her favourite passtime - charity shop cruising.

We finally set off, after visiting the water point opposite our mooring. Places to top up the water tank appear to be few and far between so we decided to use everyone we found - just incase. We then set off towards today's destination - Salters Lode lock.

 

The first thing we passed was an array (what is the collective noun?) of tall wind generators, one of which was not turning and looked very dark compared to the rest. As we got closer we could see that it had obviously had a fire. Research on tinternetweb revealed that it had caught fire on 2nd February 2025 and burnt itself out. See BBC report at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rq4yqe4z4o

 

Next we arrived at Upwell Lock, one of three we will pass through during our planned trip. These Middle Level locks have hydraulic paddles on the bottom gates that require an awful lots of turns using the long throw windlass supplied. Boy, was that hard work. Not because of the paddle resistance but just the number of turns needed. Graham decided to just use the paddles on one side of the lock and suffering a slightly longer passage time. The ground paddles above the lock are on vertical threaded shafts which also need a lot of turns but this time on the horizontal plane. Passing through the lock was a good upper body workout.

 

Once through, we continued on through Upwell and Outwell, two setlements that appear to merge together. There are some fine building either side of the cut of various ages. One had obviously started life as a windmill but has had the top removed.

 

One of the linear moorings near a house had a novel bear model on their pontoon - I've never seen one of those before. Then about 6 moorings further on there was another. Must be a local artist.

 

We finally arrived at Salters Lode lock at 4:30 pm, where we winded and moored up for the night. We have no plans to make the crossing to Denver Sluice as we want to explore the Middle Levels - we'll save the Great Ouse collective for another trip. There were two boats waiting to cross, the skippers told me they would move off at about 10am tomorrow.

G & B

Middle Levels - Day#1

 Friday 16th May 2025

 A trip in an area that we've not visitied before, on land or water. The nearest we ever got with Jannock was Peterborough.

We drove to Fox Narrowboats, just outside March, and moved all our stuff aboard Platinum Fox. Everything about the boat was explained to us and then we were off! 

 

Our plan was to moor up in March centre and spend time getting all our stuff sorted and generally making ourselves at home. We reversed to moor up at the library moorings as the bridge moorings were full up. 

Then we visited the local Wetherspoons (the Hippodrome) as we had been told that the interior was worth seeing as it was an old cinema. The decor was excellent with lots of period cinema posters on the walls. The food was good as well and Graham was over the moon as they had Thornbridge Jaipur on handpump, one of his favourite beers.

We returned to Platinum Fox via the town centre to see where the Saturday (tomorrow) market was likely to be. We also noticed an Indian Restaurant called Gurkha Spice which looked interesting, but having already eaten we decided to save that for the last night aboard.

Once aboard Graham found that the TV was not working properly, the remote control did not work and all functions were not available using the buttons on the TV itself. Off on our travels tomorrow.

G&B

Bye bye Gilwern Countess

 Saturday 13th July 2024

We were awake bright and early to get all our belongings packed, load the car and say farewell to Nigel and Sally who run Roadhouse Narrowboats. We have enjoyed our week re-visiting the Mon and Brec canal.

It's our first session of canal boating since parting with Jannock and time spent on a hire boat soon focuses your thoughts on how comfortable we had made our own boat over the 23 years that we owned her. It's amazing what bits you miss when they're gone. 

Leaving Gilwern, we made our way to Pontypool park in order to visit the Shell Grotto, however we couldn't find it due to a 'family fun day' that was occuring in the park that took our attention instead. There was a parade lead by a Samba band and lots of stalls representing either things to do for children or local charities raising awareness or funds or both.

 

Having purchased our lunch and had a cup of tea, we left the park and drove down to Newport to see the transporter bridge. Unfortunately that is undergoing restoration at present and so both the bridge and the visitor centre are closed. We ate our lunch in the car with a view of the bridge and then drove home.

G&B

Mon & Brec - Day #7

 

Friday 12th July 2024

We planned a late start today, but a red alarm on the loo meant that we needed to return to base to get a pump-out, otherwise staying over on the boat ready for going home tomorrow may be difficult. We had always planned to be back at base for this evening so that it would be easier to vacate by 09:30 tomorrow. 

 

Consequently Graham set off at 09:30 this morning and we made our way past Goytre wharf, skirted around Llanfoist and Govilon , to arrive at Gilwern at 2pm – our pre-arranged pump-out time.The initial drizzle improved steadily so that it was nice and sunny when we finally arrived at Gilwern wharf and got pumped out.

 

With the loo now fully use-able again we then set off South towards Llangattock until we turned at the winding point just after bridge 107. During this part of the day’s journey we spotted evidence of the Beale Park woodpecker. We thought this bird was extinct but it appears that it is now living in Wales. If you are not sure what the Beale Park woodpecker is please visit www.jannock.org.uk/2003.html and read IWF2003 (about two thirds down the page)

 

We winded and then returned North past the Gilwern hire base in order to turn again so that we could end our trip in Countess’ designated mooring pointing the right way for turn round tomorrow.

A tidy up, some packing and a fish and chip supper are planned for tonight. We are also moored behind a Felinfoel pub so a pint from there might be on the cards as well.

G&B

Mon & Brec - day #6

 

Thursday 11th July 2024

After a very quiet night on a peaceful mooring, unusual for being moored right outside a pub, we set off at 10am to make out way to the very end of the canal. We struggled through the abundant weed, past the newly built but un-used marina, and down to the 5 locks basin which is now the limit of navigation.

 

When we last did this canal in 1980, the limit of navigation was Pontymoile basin and so we have now completed just over 2 miles (each way) of completely new canal to us. Once tied up in the basin, we walked down the abandoned locks, accompanied by a Kingfisher which we disturbed at the second lock (61). We continued past the flight of five ex-locks but then turned to return to the boat at the top lock of the next flight. We met a lovely local couple who told us a lot about the local area whilst their impatient dog waited to continue his walk.

 

 

Back on the Countess, we set off again through the shallow weedy waters, and Cwmbran tunnel back to Pontymoile basin where we stopped in the gauging lock to fill our water tank. Then continued North past Mamhilad and Penperlleni until we moored for the night just before Goytre wharf at 4:15pm.

 

Before dinner we took a walk around the wharf ‘heritage’ area as a recce for a possible visit tomorrow morning. Well, we’ve now seen everything apparently so we won’t bother tomorrow.

G&B

Mon & Brec - day #5

 

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Having spent a quiet night just around the corner from our hire base, this morning Graham set us off at 9am and we went under the bridge and past the base. The weather all day ahs been a cold wind plus alternating sunshine and fine drizzle, although we never got really wet.

 

we cruised down past Govilon and Llanfoist until we reached Pontymoile which was Graham’s target for tonight. The countryside and canal have been so varied; different agriculture and now, different trees and plants – both on land and aquatic.

 

We spotted three different Kingfishers between Mamhilad and Pontymoile. A couple in an inflatable canoe told us that we would see Llamas, but we didn’t spot them.

 

The canal became shallower and weedier as we approached tonight’s target stop so our entry was not dignified. Having moored on the visitor mooring we decided that it was too noisy with a busy main road passing over a bridge very close by so we untied and made our way further South to moor outside the Open Hearth public house, a much quieter location as well as a suitable dining establishment for tonight. 

Both the beer and the food were excellent and we even treated ourselves to a dessert as well.

G&B

Mon & Brec - day #4

 Tuesday 9th July 2024

Welsh drizzle has an amazing capacity to wet as much as a deluge. After a very wet night, which started raining heavily on our return from the river, we awoke to a very damp morning which continued drizzling until about 11:30.

 

We traveled back down the canal, past Pencelli, through two operational lift bridges and stopped for lunch at Talybont. Back in 1980 we had a terrific evening in the Star Inn and so we decided to lunch there today fro old times sake. Google stated that it opened at 12:00 so not long to wait. We finally wandered down about 12:15 to find a very sad looking pub with a note on the door stating that they opened at 4pm - despite what the canal guide books and Google says. The White Hart next door doesn't open on Mondays or Tuesdays - so it was back to the boat for lunch on the move.

 

We moved on through the Ashford tunnel and on to Llangynidr locks where the volockies assisted us down through the top 4. At the bottom lock, Graham was asked by a novice hirer who was going to come up the flight, whether they could watch and learn as we came down. As the lock was empty with the gates open, Graham suggested they brought their boat into the lock and he would teach them how to work it. 

 

Once they were through, we decended and made our way to Gilwern as we wanted an evening meal out tonight. The Towpath Inn appeared to be closed tonight (Good - cos they only do Pizzas! Ed.) so we went to theBeaufort Arms where the food was superb, mostly normal pub food but very well prepared and presented.

G&B

Mon & Brec - day #3

Monday 8th July 2024

Dinner in the Royal Oak last night was excellent! They also had a good selection of real ales so definitely worth a visit. 

Today we have had a pleasant day cruising through woodland for the most part. Although the sky looked threatening all day, we stayed dry and relatively warm. We set off from Pencelli at 09:00 and Graham drove past Cambrian marina and over the Brynoch aqueduct to Brynoch lock whilst Brenda showered and did ‘things’ inside the boat.

 

Once through the lock, it was Graham’s turn for a shower. Immediately after the lock Brenda happened across some tree surgeons who were cutting up a fallen tree that had previously been temporarily cleared from blocking the canal. The stump and main trunk were being cut up on the non towpath side and then large chunks were dragged across the canal by a winch and wire cables to the towpath side.

 

Brenda sat and patiently waited until they signalled her past and then we continued our journey into the basin at Brecon. Gilwern Countess is equipped with a TV for playing DVDs as there is no aerial system on the boat.

 

Graham decided to trawl the charity shops in town as they usually have set top TV aerials for sale. First shop and he found the ‘Rolls Royce’ of amplified internal/external aerials, absolutely brand new and never use, for £4. Add 2 DVDs and a CD and we had to pay £5 in total – result!

Celebration was taken in the Brecon Tap House, a beer and food emporium, where a beer and a cup of tea were purchased. Then into Alde for supplies before returning to the boat in the basin.

 

We left the basin at about 3pm and headed back, through Brynock lock where we met the trip boat returning to Brecon, and across the aqueduct to moor on the offside immediately after. Although not towpath side, this length of canal bank has a memorial garden set up and appears to frequently be used for mooring.

After dinner, we wandered through the woods and down to the bank of the river Usk where Graham flew his drone to get some aqueduct pictures/footage.

Back to the boat to watch the revitalised TV and then an exceedingly quiet night.

G&B