Fish and Duck

That's the marina and one-time pub at Pope's Corner near Stretham, not a description of local wildlife.
Patience was moored at The Lazy Otter, just up the Old West River from Pope's Corner, and we passed by often - sometimes wishing that we could pop in to have a pint - but unfortunately the old pub had been demolished before we bought Patience.
Here's a great pic of the old pub, closed in 2006.

  © Copyright Richard Thomas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 
and another ...

  © Copyright Fractal Angel and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

However in the last couple of years the site has been cleared as if in preparation for new work, while the folks who liveaboard still cluster around the edges. It has to be admitted that some of the boats are not in great condition, but it does seem to be a community and one that has put down roots.

© Copyright Cambridge News. Picture 865352

Now there is a row as the owners want to upgrade and improve the facilities, but in the process they want to clear away the liveaboard community. Although they have given a good period of notice it's hard to think where the live-in boaters would move to. There's nothing available locally as far as I know.
I feel sorry for both sides - not to mention the fact that we would have happily frequented any new pub built on the site, as a short half day trip from our moorings at The Lazy Otter.
You can find more detail in two Cambridge News articles here and here.
Marina contact details are here.

Stretham Boat Yard

We currently moor Patience at The Lazy Otter, which is a mile or so south of Stretham on the A10, right by the old bridge.
It's a secure mooring with water though no electricity, loos or pump out. Which suits us just fine. What it does have is a pub with a good range of real ale and other beers, ample space outside and a popular restaurant. Modern "lodges" are being built nearby - a couple of which will have a good view of the river.
However what's been a little frustrating is that there is a boat yard on the other side of the bridge but it seemed to be difficult to book in or find out what was going on. Cyril, the owner was not always accessible, and though we did manage to use his dry dock for our survey when we bought Patience (see Engineer's Perspective and The Day of the Survey ) trying to get her bottom blacked the following year proved impossible and we ended up in Westview Marina at Earith (more here).

Dry Dock, Stretham Boat Yard 2009

We did wonder what would happen to the boatyard as it seemed Cyril was letting it drift (ho ho). And now we hear that it is in new hands, sold within the last month or so and already offering services such as blacking.

Cyril, above, guiding John, below 2009

When I first wrote this entry I said I saw the phone number 0790 0114135 for Stretham Ferry Marina but "so far there seems to be no information online".  Four days later a lovely phone call from the new owners reveals that their brand new site is at http://www.strethamferrymarina.co.uk
We think this is a great facility and we wish them well. Hence the free advertising!

First Voyage

Today we took a short trip up to Pope's Corner - our first journey in Patience - and despite sometimes biting winds we not only resolved the last questions about our berths / bunks but removed the carpet tiles (excellent invention) for cleaning at home and gave dear Patience a blow in watery sunshine.
Here she is on the Ouse approaching Stretham Old Engine from the north. This was a Victorian pumping station draining the fens into the Ouse.

Walkers can get to Ely easily from here on the Ouse Valley Way.