When you get it wrong at Salters Lode Lock......

Denver to Upwell, River Great Ouse and Middle Levels, 7.5 miles 2 locks

And I got it wrong!

But before all that what a lovely day.. after all my moaning about the wind and weather, this morning when I opened the curtains I smiled for once..

I took Lucy and Meg for a stroll before we left for Denver Lock, well I would be taking Meg’s dressings off later in the day, so it would be the only walk she would be getting for the next couple of days.  I want the foot to heal in the open air for as long as I can without it getting wet, that way it will be a speedy recovery for her.  Foot injuries on dogs are a menace, I just hope I can get it right quick..

So just half a mile from our overnight mooring to Denver Lock, and we arrived around 11am.  Not another boat was going down to the Middle Levels today, just us and as the tide was coming in slowly we heard the good news that we would be able to go through here and straight through Salters Lode Lock on the level.. I had to be quick though the lockie said, just a 5 minute window by the time I had been locked through..

Arriving at Salters the tide was rushing in and I turned too early, and although I had the front of NP well and truly on the catch tyres the tide was wanting the stern to go back to Denver, I could not turn for love nor money into the dog leg entrance.

“Too late now” called Paul, “Wait in the tide, I need to shut the gates”.. Darn it!  So I had to ‘tread water’ for about 45 minutes on the tidal river.  That was easy today, no wind hooray, and brilliant sunshine.. a most enjoyable mistake!

Paul called us in to sit on the lock gate, and at the second time of asking I got it completely right, if only I had done that earlier!

We will sit here for two and half hours now until the tide has come in and gone out again.  Time for some odd jobs to be done inside No Problem, and a good brushing of the mats to rid the hundreds of dog hairs that accumulate each day.. time too for some pics…

I believe these are Pink Footed Geese, but if anyone knows any different let me know..

By 3.45pm the level on the river was equal to that on the Middle Levels and Paul opened the gates.. a cheery wave as we go on our way…

Looking back this is why No Problem has to wait.. she can’t fit into the lock with the gates shut…

There you go straight through on level water on the tide!

Onward then to Upwell.. we had decided that we would not go to March tonight, the weather is so good, and beings it is a Saturday the girls and boys may well be out and about.. and even jumping from the main road bridge into the murky waters of this drain.. Yuk!

Passing through the lovely named Nordelph a smile upon my face…

Look carefully, there are four houses for sale, one is behind that tree, the only one not for sale is the white one in the middle.. I wondered why everyone wanted to move away from that one!!

We caught another boat up just before Outwell doing tickover speed.. luckily they stopped there, and round the tight corner here is a pic I take each and every time we pass…

This one is for memory lane for daughter Wendie, blimey look at that sky, and just one more for you daughter dear…

Fond memories for you.. xx

So now we are in the drain at Upwell..

Tonight we are out to dinner…

Good food here.. probably well remembered by Chas and Annie of NB Moore2Life as well.. cor memory lane for a few tonight then!

I have no doubt we will reflect and chat about our day today.. it’s amazing what a second bite of the cherry can achieve!