Waits Quay via The Old Ferry Boat Inn, Holywell, to the Royal Oak on the Old West River aboard The Lady on a warm and sunny day
We awake early at The Waits Quay to the sound of Magpie, Crow, Pigeon, Dick, Warbler and Sparrow in a glorious dawn chorus. The island opposite the Waits is a wild bird sanctuary and stepping stone for country birds to hop into the early morning deserted town. I can see why the locals are objecting to town council plans to level it into an ‘amenity’ riverside park. The town clock adds its chimes four times an hour. Breakfast and then to the shops for a multitude of odds and ends.
We set off to St Ives lock and then just as the lockkeeper has set it in our favour, I remember to divert to LH Jones’ boatyard for some gas, five gallons of diesel and water. A practice that rightly upsets him. Lunch of Ploughman’s cheese and bread at The Old Ferry Boat Inn and then a walk around the Holywell village loop. The Holy Well is fascinating, being a spring emerging from near the Church at the top of a hill. The ‘Well dressing’ is next week and we pledge to return on our way back. Onward through Brownshill Staunch and Hermitage Lock and most of the way across The Old West River at 4 Knots and few revs in idyllic warm sunshine. The weather is hot and pressure high. We moor at the wider section at The Royal Oak for a chicken salad tea in the company of numerous cows and calves. An evening television film of “ The last voyage” a disaster movie featuring a sinking ship! Then a quiet rest in The Lady’s saloon as the sun sets slowly behind the flood banks. Today England cricket team beat Pakistan again and the European leaders met to thrash out a compromise over Budget contributions.