Luck was with us

Not the brightest of mornings but the wind has died down. We had no choice really but to move.....I had run out of 'my' coffee...so off to Littleport it was. 

We didn't quite have the river to ourselves but we are completely legal and not breaking,the speed limit so it was just a wave from this team.

We have never made it onto this mooring but today luck was with us. Denver moored Andy popped his head out to ask where we were going. I said here....he was just about to leave.....perfik. 

Resupply done...and a 'bonus' trip to the launderette and yesterday it was into Ely.

another familiar craft as we approached. When we came back last May this houseboat was moored in the centre of Ely. We wondered how he had obtained permission. He hadn't. Most of this winter he moved around the Denver moorings. At one point he was asking for a tow to Kings Lynn........ Unlikely! He ended his stay tied onto some pilings. Now he is on an EA work site. What next?

I always love the first sighting of Ely Cathederal. 

And the waterfront. Fair to say I am a huge fan of Ely!

Our second but of luck was to get on the first moorings. Ely Council have a stumbling block re enforcement and these boats have, quite legally, been on the moorings all winter. I believe for free. Further down, outsidemThe Cutter, NB Bamboo has been there for at least 2 years. The Council are consulting on how to solve the enforcement issue. We suggested they talk to some of the Thames local authorities rather than rewrite the manual. 

Weekend on the Wissey

A very quiet weekend on the Wissey. One boat went past us so we didn't have it entirely to ourselves! Great walks for LJ. Had a Barn Owl flying parallel to us on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, we had disturbed it eating. LJ managed to swallow whatever creature it had been whole ....it made a return appearance on Sunday day morning....sorry for that!

Today, we had gusting wind but nothing too bad, so started to make our way slowly towards Ely. Our engine is being serviced there on Friday.

Tucked on EA moorings with water at Hilgay Bridge. 1700 as I'm writing this. We still have wind but we've also got some late afternoon sunshine. i

Not pushing ourselves

 The rest of the ✔️✔️✔️ in place...water, elsen, rubbish and it's goodbye to our mooring at Denver Complex.  

We weren't going far. With high winds forecast, out intention was to head onto the Wissey, turn and moor up at one of our favourite GOBA moorings. We spent Christmas there.

You'll notice I said ...our intention. The turn on the Wissey is very tight, with moored boats on one side.

We can usually make this......but not today!! We are a bit laden up front and it made a difference...either,that our our Captain wasn't on form.

 The next, and last, opportunity was at Hilgay. A rowing boat tied up just in the wrong place. But, with he prospect of an extra 2 hours cruising and the rain coming down we persevered. Sadly no pic as I was busy leaning over from the well deck to push the rowing boat out of the way! Only took 3 attempts. I did get a very rare well done...good start to our 2015 cruise!

Here we are for the weekend.

Off we jolly well go

Headlight out of hibernation and polished ✔️

 Flower pots replenished✔️✔️

Vistit to Yorkshire to see Dad ✔️.. Journey starts at the fabulous Downham Market Station Cafe

And ...goodbye Denver. See you in May!

Episode 2 . Final resting place?

We didn't have to wait long for Episode 2 of the last voyage. She was on the trailer and on the move by Sunday lunchtime.

I already knew where she was heading. Her route went past us.

And just a but further

And an extra stroll for LJ brought us alongside. She is now only a few yards from her mooring!

Is she going to go for scrap or move into the farmyard?

The last voyage

No need to worry about us ...not our last voyage...but the end of the road, so to speak, for this old girl. She was coming out of the water as we set off on our walk yesterday. 

And as we came back. Not sure what happens next. No trailer in sight at this stage.

Back on Board

Back to QISMA yesterday. She had survived our extended absence and was in very good shape with batteries at 100% through the solar panels ...Alistair's special oils for his Chinese cookery have not fared so well!  

A different routine for this return. Onboard, fire lit, bags collected then off to the water point. Only a 4 minute cruise but nice to be on the move. That over with it was walk LJ and then, for me, a trip to.....

Which I had completely to myself ...how lucky was I?

Today has been all about resupply. We will be on the move properly on Friday.