Thursday 7th August

Woke up to a bright sunny day and it was bliss to have electricity on tap for all the things we take for granted in everyday life. We both had a long lingering shower and charged every appliance we have got on board.
Hartford Marina is the nicest one we have seen so far. It is very large and they have not crammed too many boats in, so the views are very nice. They have 9 chalets, a handful of watercaravans and about a dozen specially designed "houseboats" as well as the usual river craft.
We could easily have got carried away as we went to view a chalet with mooring, and then a brand new houseboat!! Luckily by the time we got back to the boat we had our sensible hats on again.
We finally left more or less fully charged at about 2pm and spent the next 3 hours on the river with two locks to negotiate.

Church on nthe river at Hemmingford Grey

This part of the river is very beautiful in parts - we also passed under the A14 and it was interesting to see it from the river, as we are usually travelling on it to and from Essex looking wistfully down at the boats going past.

A better view of the A14 than the usual one

"Lottie" in the lock at Brampton Mill

Fabulous hanging basket at The Horseshoe

in Offord Darcy

We finally settled on a mooring by Offord Cluny, just before you reach St Neots. It was still very warm and we set off for a walk to the village and the nearest pub and had a very pleasant couple of hours in the garden.


ONE FOR THE BOYS

I went for a drink at the clubhouse at the Hartford Marina and got talking as you do.
One of the lads said "do you really like boats?" I said yes I do and I have a great love of the water and as long as I am near or on it I am happy. He then asked me to follow him and we went into a workshop. He called out and asked someone behind a large canvas curtain if we could come in. The hidden voice said yes and as the curtain was drawn back I couldn't believe my eyes. In front of me was a re-furbished Wooden Riva power boat in all her glory with just a few finishing touches needed.(replacement of the re=upholstered seats steering wheel etc. The owner has spent upwards of £100.000 on her and the current value is around £600,000. Look at the pics and drool. I am going to try and get backfor the engine test launch sometime next week when I should get some better pics!!!

Twin V8's = 55 mph

What a beauty she is