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
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