Jane and John cruise the Nene, part 1

So, off we set, down the Nene, starting with a pleasant journey through Peterborough.  Out of the narrow rivers of the Middle Level, we were hopeful that the weed filter would need a bit less clearing out - a noisy and messy job for Mr Blue Dragon.

Peterborough has a pretty riverfront, and some interesting bridges.

The journey through Peterborough was very pretty, and just outside the city we passed a statue park, although only one appeared to be visible.

At this point it looked like the Statue of Liberty

We decided as we got past, that it was a galleon

Another pretty bridge - and there may well be more to come

Look, John, see the bridge! (That's one for the over-50s)

Locks aplenty on the Nene, so I got my exercise! Mr Blue Dragon had to supervise the boat, of course

Someone's lost a railway carriage ...

The mooring right next to the Nene Valley railway station at Wansford

Another bridge!

You must admit, it is very pretty

And what a surprise! David just happened to be passing in his lunch hour, so we fed him cake and tea.

And then, off we went again.  The river Nene is very picturesque, and it made a change from our own dear Ouse. 

Yet another lock

We saw wildlife ...

Someone took a wrong turning, I think!

Gosh, is that a bridge??

Finally we got to Fotheringhay, where we planned to stop for the night.  We moored right next to the Castle Mound, which is all that is left of the castle where Mary Queen of Scots was executed.  Some friendly narrowboaters took us to the local pub, and then we came back and ate on the boat.  It was a lovely spot to stop.

A really interesting little village, and I'd love to stop there again.

Jane and John go through the Middle Levels, part 2

We set off on Tuesday morning through the last stages of the Middle Levels, towards Stanground Lock in Peterborough, where we were booked to go through at 10.15.  The first thing to do was to negotiate the interesting bend in the river at Whittlesey ...

and seen from the bank, on our return ...

The lock at Peterborough was big and dark, and when the lock-keeper opened the slackers, it was like a door opening, with water rushing through - not entirely my idea of fun!

And so, to the Nene!  Although we never did discover how to pronounce it.

Jane and John go through the Middle Levels, Part 1

Well, as usual things didn't work out as we hoped, so we didn't leave Friday night for our big adventure, but ate at the Club and stayed the night there.

So ... on Saturday morning we set off, having packed supplies for the journey

The weather was very good and we had an uneventful journey up to Denver (near Kings Lynn, not in Colorado - although that would be an interesting boat journey), ready for our big adventure across the tidal waters.  We had a bit of a rest, and went for a reccy to see the entrance to Salter's Lode, ready for the next morning

Meanwhile, back at the boat, the air ambulance used up yet more of my donations:

Sunday morning, and we moved over to the moorings ready to go through the lock and took down the canopy and lowered the screens ready.  Two narrow boats went through ahead of us and then it was our turn

and then at last we were safely through!  Actually, the tide was so placid, it was a bit of a doddle, but we won't admit to that!

And off we went, along the Middle Levels, under low bridges (very low) to Outwell and Upwell

Mullicort Aqueduct, crossing a fenland drain

The scenery was very different from our own dear Ouse, very narrow and in places very shallow, but certainly interesting.  Without the canopy to offer a little bit of shade, it was a very hot journey.

Blue Dragon at Marmont Priory Lock

part of the peacock's tail at Marmont Priory Lock

 And so, on we pressed to March, which was very fascinating, with gardens sloping steeply down to the river:

We had to book into the Lock at Peterborough at least 24 hours in advance, so we kept going without stopping

Crossing the Greenwich Meridian

Entering Ashline Lock, at Whittlesey

Our first overnight stop, at Ashline Lock