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