A Soaking on the Old West River

Today – Little Thetford to Aldreth, Old West River, 10 miles 0 locks
Sat and Sun – Moored Little Thetford, Gt River Ouse

I did manage to persuade Vic to stay the weekend, and spent most of it either fishing, walking or watching sport.  Thank goodness there was a proper F1 race this time after the fiasco in America.

Setting off early today determined to make some headway to Bedford before the summer is over, we stopped at the Stretham Old Engine just past the turn off for the River Cam (Popes Corner), to pick up a Tesco delivery that I ordered on the internet yesterday.  Our Tesco man was amazed to be delivering to two boats on the river.  Moreso because he is shortly off on a two week holiday on the broads later in the summer… I suggested he organised a Tesco delivery at the end of the first week.. “What a good idea” said he!!

I say two boats as we have met up with Pat and Kate of NB Shotley Shuffle who we first saw back on the Nene a couple of months ago.  We have been meeting up on occasions since.  They needed some shopping so suggested they opened an account and did an order from my computer. 

Stretham Old Engine was built in 1831 to lift water from the fenland to the Old West River.  The steam engine drove a huge scoop which lifted 30 tonnes of water on each revolution while consuming 4 tonnes of coal a day.  The engine was still working in 1941, but am delighted to see that it has now been preserved with all the tools and relics that go with it and open to the public at weekends. 

From Stretham through to Aldreth the river was really narrow, I was surprised at the complete change of surroundings from the openness of the River Great Ouse..

Oh but we got caught well and truly, not long after this pic was taken, in a terrible rain and hail storm. There was nowhere to moor, the edge of the river was very shallow and weedy at that point.  With driving wind and heavy rain face on, I had to stand facing the back of NP, just glancing over my shoulder on occasion to make sure we didn’t run aground while Vic and Lucy took shelter.

A complete change of clothes for me when it was over even though I had waterproofs on, it was that heavy it went through everything!!   I was talking to Chas and Ann of NB Moore2Life on MSN last night wishing them a good day today, and to keep dry… huh well I didn’t I wondered if they did!

We have seen a lot of boats either on the banks or in the fields close to the river as we have travelled upstream, some in very remote places… I presume that they have been swept there over the years when the river has flooded.  This one made me smile, it has been totally overgrown by vegetation..

We are now at a remote point where it is said that William the Conqueror’s battle with Hereward the Wake took place … I was never very good at history at school, but I do remember learning about that.

Well, you won’t believe this, we have had to switch the central heating on this evening!  Brrrrrr it is cold here, and still raining on and off.. ho hum I am wondering if I really did swim in Wicken Fen just over a week ago..