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New Bedford River vs Old West River / Ely Ouse to Denver...


lifeintheslowlanes

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Going back up north from St Neots on the Great Ouse, need to stop at Denver for a week or so to sort some stuff out... my question is, does taking the New Bedford River up to Denver shave enough time off of the journey to make driving in a straight line the whole way worth it or not? I find the run via Ely to take what feels like forever. 

 

I assume all I have to do is phone up Denver with an arrival time the day before then just wait on the lock landing if I’m a bit early?

 

Any advice appreciated, cheers. 

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You have to sync with the tide, so whatever you gain in speed and shortness can be lost in waiting for the tide. This time of the year, there's no guarantee that there will be a suitable tide in daylight and when Denver is open on any particular day. The tidal side of Denver is very silted, so if you don't get there at the right time to get in you face a night at a 30 degree list dried out on a mud bank worrying about getting floating again when the tide comes back.

 

TL;DR It's not trivial, talk to Denver first, I wouldn't bother just to save doing the Old West and Ely Ouse, but it's a good thing to do for the bucket list.

 

MP.

 

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41 minutes ago, lifeintheslowlanes said:

Going back up north from St Neots on the Great Ouse, need to stop at Denver for a week or so to sort some stuff out... my question is, does taking the New Bedford River up to Denver shave enough time off of the journey to make driving in a straight line the whole way worth it or not? I find the run via Ely to take what feels like forever. 

 

I assume all I have to do is phone up Denver with an arrival time the day before then just wait on the lock landing if I’m a bit early?

 

Any advice appreciated, cheers. 

At this time of year, you may find yourself shooting passed Denver and ending up in Kings Lynn as others have done before. EA will descharging flood water from the Welney Washes into the New Bedford on a falling tide. Unless you intend to punch the tide going downstream, with the tide flowing in at 4 to 5 knots, you be luckly to make 2 knots with the engine flatout.

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