The Old Woman is at Wansford!

Today – Ferry Meadows to Wansford Stn, Sibson, 6 miles, 2 locks
Weekend Moored Ferry Meadows

Phew what a sweltering weekend it was too, no rain or thunder for us either so we have been pretty lucky over here in the east.  I planted up the winter pansies having bought them from the market back in Ely as tiny little plants with the promise from the stall holder that they would all be different colours.  They are too, and now there are a couple of flowers on each plant!

Although we had moved to the other bank on the backwater that leads to Overton Lake (I did say Orton Lake on my last blog, my mistake), another ranger did come by and ask us to move, but with me on a walk to collect post from Alwalton on Saturday, Vic assured him that the other ranger said it was OK to change sides… he seemed happy enough with that, and we were left in peace to enjoy a very pleasant and quite weekend under the trees relaxing.

Alwalton is a fabulous village.. it is very close to the A1, but you can’t hear the traffic at all when you are there.. This has to go down as my number one village shop of all time…

This little shop and Post Office does everything.  Not only does it open at 7.30am every morning and closes at either 5pm or 6pm every evening, sells all sorts of useful stores, but hey how about this.. It also doubles up as a rather nice cafe!  Not just the usual stuff though, how about for �4.50 per person a High Tea!  And what you get is rather special too.. “includes a pot of tea, two small sandwiches, one scone served with preserve and cream, and your choice of cake from the daily selection”..  Tea and Coffee on it’s own.. Tea per pot �1.25 per person.. “choose from Traditional English, Assam, Earl Grey, Decaffeinated or Fruit Teas”.. Coffee per Cafetiere �1.50 per person “choose from Mild, Medium, Strong Roast or Decaffeinated coffee… They also do food like Quiche, Farmhouse Platters, Baguettes, Sandwiches and Cottage Rolls with all sorts of fillings..

Hey just from this one little shop and Post Office!!  Wonderful stuff!!   Anyway, on my first visit on Saturday the post had not arrived from home, but I really didn’t mind having to go back this morning.. gave me an excuse to collect some more home made goodies to store onboard.

So pulling the pins late this morning we moved down to Alwalton Lock in beautifully warm sunshine with no wind whatsoever, it was just so picturesque along the Nene.  There is nowhere to moor anywhere near the lock, so we just poked the bow onto the pontoon allowing others to moor for the lock if needbe while I went back to the Post Office/Store/Cafe in the village.

It is only a short walk to the village, but it passes through a woodland where I met a lad on his bike who shouted back to his mate “Look out there is an old woman coming!” “OI!…. I ain’t THAT old” I retorted!!… Gawd, I didn’t reach the age of 60 yet, how dare they call me an old woman before my time!  Anyway the post had duly arrived, and I picked up a couple of sausage rolls for lunch and headed back only to find the boys fishing off the pontoon.. “Gimme yer bag, I’ll carry it to the boat for you”  said the lad who received my retort earlier… Ha, maybe looking like an ‘old woman’ is not so bad after all!

The next lock along is Water Newton, perhaps the prettiest setting of all the locks on the Nene.. here the approach ..

And the lovely house on the upstream side..

The Mill obviously has the fishing and mooring rights on the bank the pic was taken from as there is a line of  ‘Private Moorings and Fishing for The Mill House’.. its very shallow there, and obviously no boats have ever moored, but whatever, nice spot, spose they don’t want people mooring in ‘their’ back garden!

Settled today at the bridge by the Nene Valley Railway Station at Wansford.. might just stay here tomorrow too..