Date - 20 /07/08 Day - Sunday Start - 0820 middle of nowhere End - 1700 Ely Town Centre
Harnser's present position Ely We woke to a sunny still morning, but by the time we set off at 8.20 the wind had started to pick up and there were a few small clouds in the sky. We carried on upstream, over the aqueduct and through the open sluice to Brandon Lock also know as Brandon Staunch, unfortunately this is only a short lock so we were unable to pass this point. The EA say there is no demand to lengthen it as no narrowboats go through that way, they can't, the lock is to short. We winded and headed back downstream. The last 500 yards coming up had been very slow with a clear but narrow channel, now with the water behind us we flew down, once the river widens after the railway bridge this effect is lost. A short way upstream from the junction to Botany Bay Sluice there is a structure that looks like an old lock to the side of the main channel but there is no change of level of any indication there ever was one. We continued downstream to Brandon Creek which is the junction with the Great Ouse where the Ship Inn stands right on the junction. We stopped here for Sunday lunch before travelling up the Great Ouse to Ely where this time we managed to find a mooring for the night. We enjoyed our detour to Brandon and it was well worthwhile, maybe one day when the lock has been lengthened we will be able to go a bit further. -- Brian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Join SOW and help save our waterways http://www.saveourwaterways.org
