Cambridge with Lady Saga

Having bought my annual permit to enter Cambridge via the river Cam (£26), I took Lady Saga into the city. It was my second time and I thought Kay would enjoy it. And she did - despite the dull weather.

During the previous weekend, Midsummer Common had seen the annual Fair, and many of the residential boats had vacated their moorings due to the noise and other disturbance over the weekend. It's a shame people can be so disruptive - the fair has been going for about 800 years, they should have learnt by now to keep the noise down!

We moored near the water point as the visitor moorings were all full. We walked into the city and visited the shops and a few museums - we know how to have fun! Of yes and we had lunch and a pint at the Eagle RAF bar. I was served by a nice young lad who, unfortunately, ended each question or statement with the word 'sir'. I like a bit of respect and politeness but it wore a bit thin after the first six or seven times!

Returning to Little Ouse Moorings, I filled up with red diesel. At only 75p per litre, I don't get the same shudder as when I fill up the Land Rover for £1.21p. I think LOM must still be the cheapest place to fill up in the Fens - and you get a nice friendly chat with Nattie thrown in for free!

Blacking feedback

I picked up Skylark yesterday from Ken's marina at Stretham Ferry and all looked well. He had pressure washed it down to the metal, waited until the surface was completely dry then applied two coats of bitumen. His approach is to start at one end and roll one coat from the base plate to just above the water line, then apply the rest of that coat from the gunwales to just below the water line. Then he does it all again. That means the hull get two coats all over and the water line gets four.

He commented that the hull is still in good condition, which it should be after only 3 years, but recommended I should have it re-blacked every two years. I suppose he would say that wouldn't he but it makes sense really. I would prefer to prevent corrosion before it starts rather than deal with it afterwards. Personal choice. 

If you are boating in East Anglia and need blacking, I recommend Ken - he's a big, friendly bloke with tons of knowledge, he's got a cracking little dry dock tucked away next to his marina, he's skilled and his price is very competitive. Let's hope it stays that way. Give him a ring.

My first blacking

I took Skylark over to Stretham Ferry Marina on Sunday to have her bottom blacked. She should be ready by next Saturday. I'm hoping the next few days of brilliant weather means the coatings will stick well and last me a few years.

So far, I have been pleased with the service offered by Ken Mansfield at SFM and his prices are very competitive. He has a very quaint dry dock built deep into the side of the river and the feedback I have had from previous customers has been very good.  I'll hold fire on a final conclusion until I pick Skylark up again.