A quiet night and early morning frost with mist on the water. We set off a little later than usual and our first lock, (Warmington) was a wheel job. Elton Lock (electric) has a fierce weir at the top and the lock landing is just before it, so a wide berth! We made steady progress and stopped in the weir stream at Alwalton Lock for lunch.
There are quite decent "unofficial moorings" here. On leaving the lock we ground over a shoal in the middle of the river no doubt caused by the discharging weir to the right. Shortly after that a bright new CEVNI direction arrow sent us down a side stream to rejoin the main river. The sign is in the wrong place and should be on the island in the middle pointing left, not on the right bank. Eventually we came to Peterborough Yacht Club. Basically this is about 3/4 mile of bankside squewed pontoon moorings with only a short quayside short stay visitor mooring in front of the club house. Pretty well all the moorings were occupied. If we are to stay there in May for a week there will have to be some negotiation with the club. It looked otherwise very welcoming, but nowhere for us to stop, so we continued on and now find ourselves on the Peterborough Town Quay, perfectly good moorings and only four boats, however "not recommended" by some. We will see!
The waste facilities are at the back of the squalid looking public conveniences and water/ pumpout etc yet to be tested. We contacted Salters Lode Lockkeeper this morning and have arranged a time for the locking, although he says that there is no booking formality just turn up and go. Also no need for us to contact Denver. I guess the two talk to each other on the day.
Peterborough 'Embankment' (Town Quay) is now a No-Drinking area which keeps away most of the drink abusers that used to be an occasional problem. Anywhere between Town Bridge (the main road bridge after the railway bridges) and the next white road bridge (just before the right turn into the cut to Stanground Lock) is usually fine. Just before the Key Theatre is a sign indicating trip boat moorings. The trip boat no longer operates, so that is a good place to moor.
Also, just before the Peterborough Yacht Club there is a sharp right turn into Ferry Meadows Country Park. There are very good public moorings there for at least 8 boats, if you don't mind the wildlife in the mornings. It is supposed to be 24 hour stay but in school term midweek you are unlikely to even see a Ranger, let alone get moved on.
Good Luck
Bob at Poshboatz
Posted by: Bob Currell | April 21, 2013 at 07:43
Thanks Bob, that's very helpful and the Town Quay was perfectly fine as you suggested. The facilities worked! We will bear in mind what you say about longer term mooring while waiting for weather on the Wash.
Posted by: Michael Fisher | April 22, 2013 at 08:23