to Cambridge via Reach and Burwell Lodes

Wednesday 28 June through Baits Bite Lock to Cambridge
Once the rain stopped, we headed towards Baits Bite Lock, which was quiet with a closed Lock House, which our Imray guide said was the Conservators of the Cam Office.

Baits Bite Lock

Curvy Lock Balance Arms

Liana walking to Cambridge

hinged oars

rowers

taking care!

inside the boat house

Reaching Jesus Lock, Jesus Green, Cambridge. We moored on the right

Cool, pullover weather, saw us enjoy the pastoral view until we reached Cambridge Midsummer Common, then passed by numerous boat houses as we approached Jesus Green. After watering up and emptying loo holding tanks, we breasted up with NB Rubbin' Along. Jeff and Sue kindly let us go on the inside, as they were leaving later. However, we had a pleasant lunch and chat together before they left.

Tuesday 27 June from Burwell up the Cam

Avoiding the blanket weed, we shared driving on this warm, sunny morning on the long straight lode to Upware. Passing through the lock, a cruiser leaving the Five Miles pub cut in front of John as he emerged from the lode cut, then did a 180 and cut in front of him again as he turned left for Cambridge! John had to take avoiding action, but kept his sense of humour!

leaving Upware Lock and the Lodes

mooring arm between lock and pub

Tiptree Marina on the Cam

Bottisham Lock in the rain

It's a short distance to Pope's corner, where the Old West River goes right towards Earith, St Ives and Bedford. We continued past the Fish and Duck Marina onto the River Cam, heading for Bottisham Lock, Baits Bite Lock and Cambridge.

The weather worsened and rain poured down, but there was nowhere to moor. Once through Bottisham Lock, we moored at the EA mooring by the bridge, near the Conservators of the Cam workshop. After changing clothes, we treated ourselves to an excellent mixed grill and pie at the Chef & Brewer pub nearby. It rained all night!

Monday 26 June Weed Cutters,  exploring Reach Lode and Burwell Lode

Waking up late to a lovely sunny day, we breakfasted lightly, watched by our duck friends through the open dinette hatch.

Moored at the welcoming Five Miles From Anywhere pub

the cheeky quacking duck!

Liana casting off as we turn left for the two lodes

Liana at Upware Lock

White plastic boats passed by from Cambridge and narrowboats left before John checked oil and water and we left ourselves. At the Upware lock round the corner we met NB Rubbin' Along, who warned us of narrow, shallow channels filled with blanket weed! However, he did say we should be able to turn round (wind) with a pole at Reach, and winding was fine at Burwell.

Burwell Lode left, Reach Lode right

We tried the harder one first and turned off along the Reach Lode, which was surprisingly good – until we passed the Weed Boat just by the new foot bridge, a mile from the start. It was the kind with a sloping conveyor belt. Two smaller boats, each with six feet wide tines to gather weed, worked with it, doing a great job!

the weedcutters moved to one side to let us pass

squeezing past the largest weed cutter

the business end  of the weedcutter

Once we passed them, the channel narrowed dramatically!

The last few hundred metres was shallow, very narrow with blanket weed thrown in for good measure. At the end, John winded by turning left, then touching the bow against the bank and applying right rudder to bring Annie round slowly. Future boaters may find the weeping willow tree trimmed to make it easier.

the weedcutters hadn't cut this bit yet

end of Reach Lode with unwelcoming village sign and GOBA sign round corner

Reach mooring

good job it had a haircut

it's a squeeze to wind a 60 foot boat, but you can do it!

We had intended to moor and walk around the village, but beside the single GOBA mooring sign was one stating “Mooring only by prior permission of Parish Council”: Hardly a welcoming sign to those who have struggled to get there. A ”Welcome to Reach, pub 200m” type sign would be far better. I was saying this to the Weed Boat man as we repassed him, when a local man heard and said “Everyone ignores that sign”. I asked him to report back at the next parish meeting, so that the negative sign could be removed, hopefully, and a welcoming one added.

Liana drove back and turned towards Burwell, as John's back was not good, and we turned at Burwell, breasting up alongside another narrowboat on the Environment Agency mooring, as their sign instructed in busy times.

After checking stern gland as usual, to make the boat watertight, and clearing the propeller shaft of some weed, it was time for tea, catching up on diary and blog, plus tea, followed by a walk around the peaceful village. Our friend had warned us that the two pubs were pricey, but it's chicken curry night on board tonight, anyway!