Report from the Fens
AS CAMBRIDGESHIRE and West Norfolk enter the seventh month of drought. The water level on the Middle Level has remained at summer levels, writes Kelvin Alexander-Duggan.
(Normally the water level is lower in the winter.) The water levels and flows on the Nene, Cam, Great Ouse are lower than normal for this time of year. At present there are no restrictions on navigation, apart from the listed stoppages for lock and bridge repairs.
Big Freeze
It was on the 25th November last year that the big freeze started along with the first heavy significant snowfalls in the fens—the picture shows Foxes Marina on that day. Boater's with marina berths were iced in until the middle of the following March.
In view of the winter weather over the last few winters, (The Met Office believe that this winter will not be as bad as the last) it is recommend that liveaboards ensure that their fuel and water tanks are kept full. Furthermore if you use gas or solid fuel, ensure that any empty bottles are replaced and if you use coal or wood, Have at least a month's supply by the boat.
Last winter supplies ran out as lorries were unable to get through. You are also advised to have a supply of dry and canned food on board for at least three weeks. If you have pump-out, you should get it emptied if more than half full. Some readers may think that this is going a bit over the top, I say better to prepare for the worst, than to freeze. At the moment, as the photograph of the sunset over the marina shows, all is well.
Middle Level news
Foxes Marina is shortly to open a new improved chandlery and office, Replacing the old shed that was used as a chandlery. The marina office was somewhat cramped with no room to swing 'Bruce' the marina cat. The new chandlery and office—seen being put into position—arrived on Monday 20th November, Foxes are aiming to open the new building in early December.
In March itself, as reported in the national newspapers, there is a problem with increasing numbers of rats in the town centre. It is believed that this is due to the cutbacks in the emptying of pubic bins both on the streets and in the car parks. Around the sanitation point take care when using the site, As rats are carriers of Weil's disease.
Great Ouse news
Go-ahead has been given by the local council for a new 104 berths basin along with the building of a new café in the marina, at L H Jones & Sons' existing marina in St lves.
On the river down stream of the misguided bus-way bridge, an increasing number of dead and injured waterfowl are being seen floating down the river. This is also the case in and around the Fen Drayton Lakes (The bus-way cuts through the centre of the lakes).
It is believed that the waterfowl are being hit by buses on takeoff and landing. A boater reported that a few weeks ago he was delayed on the busway for over an hour when a duck hit the windscreen of the bus, breaking it. The council claims this did not happen, as with the other cases.
Nene news
Anyone using the new moorings below Orton Lock are in for a shock if planning to visit Peterborough City Centre, as the moorings are in fact over two and half miles from the centre (45 minute walk). In the summer on weekends the nearby Nene Valley railway takes eight minutes to cover the distance. The nearest bus stop is 20 minutes walk away. As is the nearest pub the Boatyard, where in fact you can moor outside.
Peterborough City Council were misleading in their press release, claiming the new moorings are close to the city centre. The closest moorings to the city centre are on the embankment (40 minutes cruising at four knots). It is advised if using either moorings at the present time to leave someone at the boat or if you have a dog leave it on board to discourage thieves, from removing your brass and other metals.
There is at the present time a increase in patrols by the police and the Border Agency along both sides of the river between Orton Lock and the embankment.