River Great Ouse:Stretham

The water level dropped again last night and we were listing somewhat.  However, by the morning it was less so, but nonetheless as expected the boat was right up to the bank, driven there by the wind, and stuck.    Using the gangplank as the strongest thing suitable to use as a lever, the stern was pushed off the ledge and it was then possible to reverse off the mooring and let the wind do the turning.   Once out of the shelter of the trees the wind seemed as strong as ever.  Below St Ives Lock downstream of the guided bus bridge I caught a glimpse of a seal.   There was  a story of one being up in the tidal section below the Brownshill Staunch, but amazing to see it this side of the weir.   A pumpout and water at Earith moorings was quickly accomplished and Hermitage Lock was made ready as we approached.   Below the lock the OldWest River is shallow and the banks badly eroded in places making the speed limit of 4 miles per hour virtually unachievable in a narrowboat.   We were making 3.5 mph some of the time, less otherwise.    The GOBA moorings at Stretham put us in good position for a morning arrival at Ely, so fed up with fighting the wind and the cold in the wind-chill we have stopped here again.