Godmanchester walk for supplies on a fine and sunny first day aboard and then to stop at Huntingdon to visit the Cromwell Museum and then on to Hemingford Grey as critics look for economic stimulus

An unsettled night, as often the first aboard tends to be. This morning, a fine sunny start to a hot and glorious day. Overnight low of 51degF rises to a maximum 85degF in the open by shaded saloon of The Lady this afternoon. Barometer very slightly down at 1024. I awake early at the Godmanchester moorings and persuade Diana to make the early morning tea. Our mooring has been close to the island weirs that cascade down into the pools below. I am reminded that in the Doomsday book, there were three watermills listed at Godmanchester.

After breakfast of toast and marmalade for me and cereal for the kids, I let them out to run along and play on the swings. We then walk across the Chinese Bridge, past the old school and council chamber and along the causeway to buy goods in the paper shop, post office, and small minimarket. A fretful Debbie upset our calm but we return to The Lady, lock through Godmanchester and moor up on Huntingdon Town Quay.

Saturday is Huntingdon’s market day and we look at antique shops, the flea-market and then the market itself, which is unfortunately a poor one. I also look afterwards in the Cromwell Museum, the old Huntingdon School that 300 years ago (and more) tutored Cromwell and Samuel Pepys. The keeper engages me in conversation and is most taken with the idea of boating on the Great Ouse. The museum is full of paintings of Cromwell, Monck and many others; copies of documents and declarations of the period, Cromwell’s artefacts such as his triple seal, walking stick and hat; and a 1660 map of Huntingdonshire.

Back to The Lady and on through Houghton lock to Hemingford Grey where we moor for a tinned salmon salad tea, as I watch the England v New Zealand test match on our colour portable T.V. After tea, Debbie to bed and a walk with Diana to Hemingford Abbey across the well-used causeway footpath and a drink at the Pub. A wedding reception is loud at the hall opposite and the guests outside, escaping from the loud disco music, are merry. They jest as we walk back with my Shepherds Crook which I find by far the best stick for walking. An early and warm night at the Hemingford Grey quay. I note that on the site of the Old Boatyard, the owner is gradually building and extending an old cottage while he lives in a houseboat/barge.

News full of David Steele’s “private” letter to the Liberal MP’s, Trade Union Congress news on unemployment, and more deviant acts. The Financial Times is yet another paper looking for a stimulus from government to trigger growth in the economy.