Post by JohnV on Sept 13, 2016 17:21:55 GMT
As promised a report on my explorations.
Probably the most striking thing I found about the lower Gt Ouse was the sheer size of the waterway. From Denver sluice to Ely it dwarfs even the great size of the Yorkshire canals.
long straight sections of deep wide water. In contrast the three smaller tributaries in this section are a delight, occasionally almost a green tunnel through the trees, Each one similar but different enough to keep you interested.
SAM_0333 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Gt Ouse just north of Littleport near Burnt Fen (?)
SAM_0412 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
River Wissey about a mile and a half above the head of navigation
SAM_0337 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
River Wissey about 2 miles above the head of navigation ! ........ just about room to turn round !
All three rivers, The Wissey, The Little Ouse and the Lark are a delight to explore but are distinctly lacking in the kind of facilities you usually find on the canals,
Mooring points are few and far between and wild mooring points are difficult to find as well, the best option is often a mud weight.
Shops are few although Brandon at the head of navigation of the Little Ouse is an exception. The food prices in all the pubs I visited are a pretty eye watering when compared to the 2 for £12 kind of prices I'm used to but the quality (the couple of times I ate out) was pretty good.
At Ely the moorings are excellent and being 48 hour maximum I never found a problem getting a space, This is totally different from what I understand was the situation a few years ago. Many of the moorings were then being hogged by semi resident boats making it almost impossible for visitors to find a mooring near the city centre.
My experience now is that the moorings are very busy but you can normally find a space without having to double up.
SAM_0505 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely cathedral approaching from the North
SAM_0361-01 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront
SAM_0362 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront
SAM_0378 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront (Shapfell moored centre of picture just outside the Grand Central)
to be continued when my neck and shoulders stop aching
Probably the most striking thing I found about the lower Gt Ouse was the sheer size of the waterway. From Denver sluice to Ely it dwarfs even the great size of the Yorkshire canals.
long straight sections of deep wide water. In contrast the three smaller tributaries in this section are a delight, occasionally almost a green tunnel through the trees, Each one similar but different enough to keep you interested.
SAM_0333 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Gt Ouse just north of Littleport near Burnt Fen (?)
SAM_0412 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
River Wissey about a mile and a half above the head of navigation
SAM_0337 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
River Wissey about 2 miles above the head of navigation ! ........ just about room to turn round !
All three rivers, The Wissey, The Little Ouse and the Lark are a delight to explore but are distinctly lacking in the kind of facilities you usually find on the canals,
Mooring points are few and far between and wild mooring points are difficult to find as well, the best option is often a mud weight.
Shops are few although Brandon at the head of navigation of the Little Ouse is an exception. The food prices in all the pubs I visited are a pretty eye watering when compared to the 2 for £12 kind of prices I'm used to but the quality (the couple of times I ate out) was pretty good.
At Ely the moorings are excellent and being 48 hour maximum I never found a problem getting a space, This is totally different from what I understand was the situation a few years ago. Many of the moorings were then being hogged by semi resident boats making it almost impossible for visitors to find a mooring near the city centre.
My experience now is that the moorings are very busy but you can normally find a space without having to double up.
SAM_0505 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely cathedral approaching from the North
SAM_0361-01 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront
SAM_0362 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront
SAM_0378 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
Ely waterfront (Shapfell moored centre of picture just outside the Grand Central)
to be continued when my neck and shoulders stop aching