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Post by ammodels on Jul 23, 2016 16:18:05 GMT
Finally back fen furtling, stayed on board last night and set off nice and early for Ely, it was quite crowded, probably because I got there before most of those moving on had got up. Wandered up to the Cathedral and had a look round and bought a few foodie bits in the market. Quick cup of coffee ( I forgot to buy fresh milk and I detest long life in tea, fortunately I don't mind it in coffee) and set off again. Now moored up on Old West River just above the junction with the Cam for a late lunch and a beer. Feel quite knackered so will probably stay here until morning. I have to be back in Benfleet on Monday so I don't want a long run before the drive back. Everything effort still leaves me knackered but things are definitely improving !!! sounds like a perfect day John, enjoy the rest of your weekend mate.
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Post by JohnV on Jul 25, 2016 7:34:11 GMT
Yesterday woke up very early, it was such a beautiful morning had to get underway as quickly as possible, I reckon that is the finest time to be on the river
...... no bloody hire cruisers ..... they seem to be far worse than hire narrowboaters, had a very near miss with one on Saturday. On a wide bit of the river, both of us fairly well tucked on our respective sides of the river when they just started veering across to my side ....... I honestly thought I was going to be Teeboned, Trouble was there was virtually no avoiding action I could take apart from tucking even tighter to the bank and blowing my horn (5 short blasts ..... what the fuck are you up to? ....... not that they would have a clue) At the very last minute they veered away with a cheerful "Sorrrrreeeeee!" It was close, far too bloody close, in all the years on the canals I think that was one of my hairiest moments.
Anyway back to Yesterday ...... toddled along back through Ely with not a soul stirring (having a quiet snarl at the hire cruisers moored at Bridge boatyard). I decided to top up my watertank so I diverted up the Lark to Prickwillow where I discovered the Museum was having an engine start up day ....... pleasant couple of hours ...... They didn't have the big Mirrlees Blackstone running but they did have a 184 litre 2 stroke turbocharged 4 cylinder Allen running, plus several other engines.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 8:08:31 GMT
Some of the Muppets that hire run the broads lot close for useless twats of the year award!
Prickwillow museum is ace, there is some fascinating kit in there. A good example of fenland peat shrinking too. The 10' long shovel for digging out dykes caught my eye, I hate swinging a standard length shovel, God knows how strong the bloke on the end of it must have been!!!
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Post by loafer on Jul 25, 2016 16:53:56 GMT
Yesterday woke up very early, it was such a beautiful morning had to get underway as quickly as possible, I reckon that is the finest time to be on the river ...... no bloody hire cruisers ..... they seem to be far worse than hire narrowboaters, had a very near miss with one on Saturday. On a wide bit of the river, both of us fairly well tucked on our respective sides of the river when they just started veering across to my side ....... I honestly thought I was going to be Teeboned, Trouble was there was virtually no avoiding action I could take apart from tucking even tighter to the bank and blowing my horn (5 short blasts ..... what the fuck are you up to? ....... not that they would have a clue) At the very last minute they veered away with a cheerful "Sorrrrreeeeee!" It was close, far too bloody close, in all the years on the canals I think that was one of my hairiest moments. Anyway back to Yesterday ...... toddled along back through Ely with not a soul stirring (having a quiet snarl at the hire cruisers moored at Bridge boatyard). I decided to top up my watertank so I diverted up the Lark to Prickwillow where I discovered the Museum was having an engine start up day ....... pleasant couple of hours ...... They didn't have the big Mirrlees Blackstone running but they did have a 184 litre 2 stroke turbocharged 4 cylinder Allen running, plus several other engines. John, where is the water tap in Ely? I couldn't find the bugger on the way through, but I'm going to need it on the way back in a couple of days!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 16:58:13 GMT
Yesterday woke up very early, it was such a beautiful morning had to get underway as quickly as possible, I reckon that is the finest time to be on the river ...... no bloody hire cruisers ..... they seem to be far worse than hire narrowboaters, had a very near miss with one on Saturday. On a wide bit of the river, both of us fairly well tucked on our respective sides of the river when they just started veering across to my side ....... I honestly thought I was going to be Teeboned, Trouble was there was virtually no avoiding action I could take apart from tucking even tighter to the bank and blowing my horn (5 short blasts ..... what the fuck are you up to? ....... not that they would have a clue) At the very last minute they veered away with a cheerful "Sorrrrreeeeee!" It was close, far too bloody close, in all the years on the canals I think that was one of my hairiest moments. Anyway back to Yesterday ...... toddled along back through Ely with not a soul stirring (having a quiet snarl at the hire cruisers moored at Bridge boatyard). I decided to top up my watertank so I diverted up the Lark to Prickwillow where I discovered the Museum was having an engine start up day ....... pleasant couple of hours ...... They didn't have the big Mirrlees Blackstone running but they did have a 184 litre 2 stroke turbocharged 4 cylinder Allen running, plus several other engines. John, where is the water tap in Ely? I couldn't find the bugger on the way through, but I'm going to need it on the way back in a couple of days! It's at the sanitary station just as you come into Ely traveling upstream - it's on your right just passed the railway bridge. Elsan, rubbish disposal and free pump out. Water is in a stainless bollard. John is talking about the tap at Prickwillow. There is also water at LittlePort, Hilgay Fen and Denver by the pump out.
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Post by JohnV on Jul 25, 2016 17:03:31 GMT
There are two downstream from Ely that I know about.
There is one about a mile or so up the Lark at Prickwillow, just before the road bridge on the right hand side.
The other that is probably more convenient for you is opposite the "Swan on the Water" bistro pub just as you are getting to Littleport (it's just at the start of the moorings immediately under the bridge ..... hard to spot as you are going passed)
cross posted with Gazza
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Post by loafer on Jul 25, 2016 17:07:38 GMT
Thanks you guys. I completely cocked that up. I meant St Ives!
Do either of you know where it is in ST IVES!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 17:49:44 GMT
Thanks you guys. I completely cocked that up. I meant St Ives! Do either of you know where it is in ST IVES!!! Jones boatyard has a tap by the fuel point and chandlery, also an elsan round the back. I think there is a tap up the Waites. Going upstream go thru bridge then take right hand turn into back water. You will have to reverse out in anything over 30'. The book marks a tap at the town quay (before bridge) but I've never seen it. Are you past the Pike and Eel?
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Post by JohnV on Jul 25, 2016 17:59:55 GMT
Ha !!!!
(bet he thinks he's in Cornwall !!!)
Sorry can't help, not got up that far yet !!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 18:14:47 GMT
It may be a bit late but there is a pump out and tap at West View Earith on the EA 48hr mooring, we normally moor there and head off upstream with a full water tank. Diesel also available from the converted JG Meakes Madeira 27 fuel boat lashed to the end of the pontoon Taps are few and far between upstream. Not used Daylock Marine. I have never managed to spot the one at Huntingdon near Purvis Marine. We have paid for for a nights stay at Buckden, used the gym for showers, got fuel and used the bar, so using the water tap didn't feel like we were taking the piss. Next is the Priory Centre in St Neots, often a queue for that one. After that it's Priory Marine in Bedford, first night free for GOBA members. Final one is at Sovereign Quay in Bedford.
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Post by loafer on Jul 26, 2016 11:31:36 GMT
Thanks you guys. I completely cocked that up. I meant St Ives! Do either of you know where it is in ST IVES!!! Jones boatyard has a tap by the fuel point and chandlery, also an elsan round the back. I think there is a tap up the Waites. Going upstream go thru bridge then take right hand turn into back water. You will have to reverse out in anything over 30'. The book marks a tap at the town quay (before bridge) but I've never seen it. Are you past the Pike and Eel? Gazza, we're in Houghton (between Huntington & St Ives), visiting friends, which was the entire reason for us being here. We're heading back on Wednesday thru St Ives, Ely etc and back to the canals in about 2 months' time. Thanks for all the info, chaps - very useful!
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Post by JohnV on Jul 26, 2016 11:44:23 GMT
I'll try and keep an eye out for you. I will be back in Littleport on Thursday morning
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 11:50:57 GMT
Jones boatyard has a tap by the fuel point and chandlery, also an elsan round the back. I think there is a tap up the Waites. Going upstream go thru bridge then take right hand turn into back water. You will have to reverse out in anything over 30'. The book marks a tap at the town quay (before bridge) but I've never seen it. Are you past the Pike and Eel? Gazza, we're in Houghton (between Huntington & St Ives), visiting friends, which was the entire reason for us being here. We're heading back on Wednesday thru St Ives, Ely etc and back to the canals in about 2 months' time. Thanks for all the info, chaps - very useful! Ah, I'd forgotten, have you been to the Jolly Butcher's? I was right about the tap in St Ives canalplan.eu/gazetteer/zz99
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Post by loafer on Jul 26, 2016 13:49:18 GMT
Gazza, we're in Houghton (between Huntington & St Ives), visiting friends, which was the entire reason for us being here. We're heading back on Wednesday thru St Ives, Ely etc and back to the canals in about 2 months' time. Thanks for all the info, chaps - very useful! Ah, I'd forgotten, have you been to the Jolly Butcher's? I was right about the tap in St Ives canalplan.eu/gazetteer/zz99Oh yes! And will be again in about 2 hours' time! Yep I see where the water point is now, ta! I didn't go down there but I'll have to soon! Ta Gazza.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 15:21:28 GMT
Oh yes! And will be again in about 2 hours' time! Yep I see where the water point is now, ta! I didn't go down there but I'll have to soon! Ta Gazza. It's a good pub, nice walk to the morning. We had an ace night there a few years back, not sure how I got back to the boat without an excursion into the undergrowth!
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