Able to have a lie in today as we had to wait for the tide at 12. We were kept amused watching the Middle Level Commisioners dredging by the waiting pontoon for the lock.
We were in the lock before 12 but had wait for Denver sluice who had 4 narrowboats to come over and there was some confusion over their lengths. Although Denver sluice is a big lock, Salters Lode is not at high water due to the arched bridge.
Left the lock at 12.10, the engine was smoking badly and I realised that we must have picked up some of the weed that was floating in the lock. A quick burst of reverse sorted that out and we managed to turn upstream fairly easily. We crossed one narrowboat coming from Denver and locked down onto the Ouse.
After leaving the sluice we turned downstream to find the facilities which were tucked away between the sailing club and the relief channel sluice.
We had decided to skip doing the relief channel to catch up on our schedule. Instead we had lunch on the move and headed upstream to the junction with the Little Ouse and go up that to Brandon, which is the head of navigation on the Little Ouse.
We made good speed up the Little Ouse and it was only when we got near Brandon that the current increased due o the narrowing of the river.
Moored below the lock at Brandon. We couldn't go though as it is only 40ft long. We were the only boat there.
Walked into Brandon along the river and to the Bell for a pint. Then to the
Brandon Bridge Hotel to eat, and finally to the Great Eastern.
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