Upwell to Bill Fen

On Saturday morning we left Upwell and headed off towards March.  I had given Maureen, the Lock keeper at Marmont Priory Lock just outside of Upwell, a call just before setting off to say we were on the way.

I walked the two dogs to the lock and helped get it prepared while Joe brought Caxton along the narrow Well Creek - above.  Once through the lock the waterway widens significantly and wends its way through the flat fenland landscape past the many wind turbines.  I took the tiller for much of the way handing over to Joe so I could get a shower before our arrival in March.  The town moorings were almost deserted when we arrived but we had booked ourselves into Fox's Marina for the weekend anyway so it didn't matter anyway.

Here is Caxton moored up stern-on with the few hire boats still in.  We paid £7.50 per night and we had a secure and 'peaceful' stay, undisturbed by traffic or revellers.    On Sunday I cycled into town and got some provisions and met with a couple of people gazing longingly at boats moored on the town staithe - Dot and Derek of Gypsy Rover...  We went back to Caxton a cuppa and a chat and arranged to meet the next day to take Caxton to Ramsey and Bill Fen Marina and give them their much needed narrowboat fix after the sale of their boat.

Caxton moored at Bill Fen Marina Ramsey

Despite the dreadful weather in the early hours of Monday morning - we were up at four am because of the noise of lashing rain and howling winds - things had cleared by ten so we set off on our four hour cruise to Bill Fen.  Derek took a turn at the tiller while Dot and I sat up front and watched the world go by.  We were so lucky with the weather, sunshine and a breeze all the way.  However by the time it came to walk our guests into Ramsey to get a bus back to March the heavens had opened with a vengeance - we all got drenched!! 

And our neighbour at Bill Fen, Warrior no less. 
Caxton is booked in here for a month.  We are going to go to the West Country in our caravan and Caxton will be safe and sound here while we are away.  I might add, this is the most delightful marina, the best I have seen so far with lovely landscaping and mature shrubs and trees everywhere...