Leaving Huntingdon was a bit of guess work as to which channel to follow. There are several channels which appear to be wide enough to be the main channel but there are no navigation signs to indicate the correct one. We did pick the right one and soon found the first lock. Approaching the second lock was strange as the navigation sign sends you to the left of an island and a right angle approach to the lock and yet there is a direct approach to the lock on the right hand side of the island. Admittedly there is a weir in the latter section but nothing like what we have had to deal with on the river Thames in the past. However we followed the EA signs to be on the safe side.
Brampton Mill with waterwheel
Godmanchester and Brampton locks were again big enough to accommodate both boats but Offord lock was only big enough to handle 1 boat at a time even though it is 30m long. As we have had a slight change of plans we decided that we could afford to moor up earlier than planned but the only moorings are GOBA moorings along the stretch of river past Offord lock but we have managed to find a nice stretch of bank near Little Paxton which is not covered in stinging nettles and where we could get ashore without to much trouble to moor so we will spend the night here. Paxton Pits which is away to our right is an area of aggregate pits still partly in use and a wild life and nature reserve. Famous for its summer wild flowers and Nightingales it has 27km of walkways around the pits.
Peace and solitude on the River Great Ouse
1145 locks, 1583 miles, 41 Tunnels, 41 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006
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