We were going to leave Peterborough after the Skyping etc but our new boating mate Darren who had gone on ahead returned saying his key didn't fit the next lock and so we decided to stay put and go to the Environment Agency office in the morning and see what was needed. As it was a nice day John and I decided to explore the steam railway that runs through the city and we took Paddy for a walk along the rail path that was alongside the river. Eventually we came to the lock and John tried his key and lo and behold it worked. We walked back, had lunch and decided that since the day was warm and windless we would make a start - it was just after 3 by this time!
Just before leaving Peterborough - the river is pretty wide at this point and there are plenty of moorings - we liked the place! They actually seemed to want boaters to stop there.
We travelled on and went through the first lock - LOADS of gongoozlers (people who for some strange reason like to watch boats go through locks - boating term) and thanks to copious amounts of Rescue Remedy I managed perfectly and felt a lot happier about handling the boat in general, thankfully.
The weather suddenly changed and we had an almighty downpour - Paddy turned out to be a fairweather sailor and insisted on going below while it was raining! Luckily it stopped for the next lock and meant that there was no-one watching! Coped OK with this one as well so my confidence (and intake of RR ) was increasing!
We had located some moorings after the next lock which was not far away and was the most picturesque setting imaginable - the sky was still very grey but even so the pictures look good.
It was even prettier from the approach but I didn't have time to get the camera - I took these while hanging onto the rope at a VARY small landing stage! Note the water over the lip of the top lockgate...it was pouring over them as we approached and as soon as it started to empty it was pouring over again - we felt that someone ought to open the sluice a bit more to reduce the height of the water - I dread to think what it's like after a wet season!
Paddy had decided to wage a war against ducks in particular - he isn't keen on swans but ducks really seem to get him - after a particularly sneaky move from a duck that landed in the water close to the boat without giving Paddy enough notice he has taken up a new position - and I'm not too keen on it!
It looks very cute but means that I have to be hanging onto the lead to stop him jumping in after the offending ducks!
We are moored up next to a bridge where one of the stations that carries the steam trains and John says that they are all stored at this depot! Should be interesting in the morning!
Anyway 8 1/2 miles and 3 locks today in just under 4 hours done so we are on our way!
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