Look East: Day 9

There was fortunately very little wind today, but it was overcast and chilly.  We set off about 8.15, retracing our steps out of Peterborough.  Orton Lock was our first uphill lock since Stoke Bruerne on Day 1 of this trip.  A little further on we turned left into a fairly narrow channel which leads to the very wide expanse of Overton Lake.

Several people had recommended the moorings on the lake, which is part of the Ferry Meadows Country Park.  There are a couple of pontoon moorings, so room for four boats.

We had visitors arriving, my soon-to-be-ex-Radio 2 colleague Kerry along with her husband and two boys.  It was great to see her as I’ll be missing her leaving do on Monday, and at least one of the kids enjoyed feeding the ducks and geese out of the side hatch.  They went off to ride the miniature railway and then visit the dinosaur museum in Peterborough, while we walked down to Overton Station on the Nene Valley Railway.

It was a steam day today, with the train pulled by Tornado.  We went first to Peterborough where the engine was moved to the other end of the train, and then back to Wansford.

We had lunch in the station cafe, then took the Swedish railcar to Yarwell and back.

At Wansford they also have a little garden railway, and a model railway in a train carriage, so there’s plenty to see.

We caught the train back to Overton and walked back down to the boat.  It’s been trying to rain on and off all afternoon, but it’s very quiet and peaceful here, especially now the visitors to the park have begun to go home.

3 miles, 1 lock.  (78 miles, 62 locks)