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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Guest & customer articles, Navigation articles, Uncategorized

Waterways Campaigner and mooring customer John Revell updates us on his latest success on the Old Bedford River.

at Salters Lode - ready to set off
Old Bedford Sluice
idyllic scene at 40ft
idyllic scene

In July 2017 two boats, Olive Emily (built by Fox Narrowboats and moored at Fox’s marina) and the cruiser Marie II, successfully navigated the Old Bedford River from the tidal River Ouse at Salters Lode to the current head of navigation at Welches Dam lock. This is an ancient and attractive waterway and a statutory navigation. It is about 14 miles long and is managed by the Environment Agency (EA). There are many difficulties in using this river and some readers will be aware that non tidal access to the Old Bedford ended 11 years ago when EA arbitrarily piled the entrance to Welches Dam lock in 2006.

John Revell, owner of Olive Emily, takes up the story.

“I took part in a trip along the Old Bedford in April 2017 when 3 narrowboats managed to reach Welches Dam. This was the first successful trip by narrowboats since 2006. EA were very helpful and cooperative but had made it clear beforehand that they would have preferred the trip to have been made later in the year. So Lois and Roy Parker (Marie II) and myself gave EA two months’ notice that we would like to make a second voyage in July. The tides seemed right and the dates chosen were just before the main school holidays.

EA (Waterways) acknowledged our request and consulted other parts of EA. One distinct advantage of this was that when we reached Salters Lode we found that EA (Water resources) had asked the local Middle Level Commissioners lock keeper to put more water into the non tidal river. This made the normally tricky access from the narrow tidal stream much easier.

Apart from one big snag the trip to Welches Dam went really well and we returned the following day after stopping overnight close to the excellent Lamb and Flag. A lot of people knew about our trip and commented how good it was to see boats on the river again.

None of this would have been possible without the help and advice from the EA staff we met and the Middle Level lock keeper so what was the big snag?

Out of the blue and at the last minute, EA’s (Waterways) Team Operations Manager, asked for the whole cruise to be called off or delayed until October (four months later) after the next scheduled weed cut had taken place. A similar request for delay had occurred prior to the trip in April 2017, albeit for a different reason and with rather more notice whereas I had been advised that my unsuccessful trip in November 2016 would have been more successful if I had made it earlier in the year.

The lengthy email from EA (Waterways) cited concerns from EA (Fisheries) about low dissolved oxygen from “wind blown accumulations of decaying algae” in one section of the river. EA (Fisheries) were of the opinion that navigating through this in our two boats might give rise to a “significant risk of an environmental (Fish distress /kill) incident. ”

Following discussions with David Venn, Chairman of IWA (Inland Waterways Association) Peterborough Branch, we decided that a proportionate response to this concern would be to continue the planned trip and assess the situation when we reached there as the problem appeared to be very localised (close to the village of Welney).

As we approached Welney we found a short stretch of foul smelling, floating rotting material – see photo. Removing this before we reached there would clearly have benefited everyone and everything. Someone commented that EA appeared to be more concerned about the DO (dissolved oxygen) than the DO (disgusting odour).

We were met by two helpful staff from EA (Waterways) team and we discussed what to do. It was decided that the narrow boat could proceed very slowly and cautiously along the middle of the channel under their close supervision. The cruiser was stuck (see photograph) and so it was pulled through the weed by ropes from the narrow boat again under EA’s close supervision.

Everyone present was satisfied and I am pleased to report that subsequent tests at Welney by EA after the passage and return of our 2 craft showed minimal effect on oxygen levels.

EA had known about the “wind blown accumulations of floating algae” for some time and personally I feel they could have done more to remove it. This was such an obvious environmental problem and leaving it was not in anyone’s interest, least of all the residents of Welney and those who walk, fish, collect eels, and occasionally boat along the river.

I returned to Welney by car 2 weeks later and I am pleased to report that these ”accumulations of wind blown algae” have gone so I wonder whether we were asked to delay our trip for four months until October 2017 for another reason.”

John Revell 15 Aug 2017

Narrowboat Olive Emily

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Navigation articles

sat-nav-canal-boat-navigation

Are your old paper canal maps a little out of date?

Ever planned to moor up at a pub that no longer exists, or tried to use boat services that are no longer there?

Do you sometimes arrive somewhere new, only to wander aimlessly around, seeking a cash point?

Problem solved, because this husband and wife team have just invented BoatSatNav!

On 19th July 2017 Jan Pickles Price and her husband Haydn launched a free online canal guide that’s based on Google Maps. When I asked Jan for more information she said the initial response has been tremendous, and that she had already been contacted by the Roving Canal Traders Association and the Friends of the River Nene who wanted to find out more. They received over 100 registrations for the site on the first day.

SatNav for a Boat?

Obviously you don’t really need satellite navigation on the UK canals and waterways. What these free online guides actually do is show you all the useful and interesting things you may want to see on your journey. So chuck out your dog-eared, ancient paper maps and embrace digital navigation! This means that before you even book your canal boat holiday, or day boat hire, you can be browsing potential routes and checking out places to visit.

BoatSatNav is optimised for use on mobile GPS devices such as phones and tablets but it’s also accessible online using a laptop or desktop computer. It shows lock positions, junctions, moorings and winding holes. It also displays services, (fuel, water, pump out), shops, post offices, cash points, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, surgeries, chemists, pharmacies and bus and rail connections. Jan is adding new information to the maps all the time.

To access the guides on a mobile device you just need the Google Maps App and a Google account, (both of which are free.) You can also access the guides on a laptop or desktop, just using your usual web browser.

The Google Maps App is currently limited to 10 shared maps, so you will need to select up to ten waterways that you would like to have access to. (You can change your choices later if you like.) For canal boat journeys setting out from the Fox Boats hire base you could choose the Middle Level Navigations, River Nene, River Great Ouse, Cambridgeshire Lodes and River Cam.

Free to Use

Jan says, “Hubs and I put this together initially for our own use but then thought…hey! We can share this. It does use a Gmail email as it accesses Google Maps, so you will need that to make it work.

We’ve created the majority of the information on the maps for you to use digitally, as you move along. Google allows 10 maps to be shared to each person who registers. It shows buses, trains, marina’s, rubbish bins and even places to eat plus loads more… all without having to go to different websites for the information you need.”

Why is the site different to any of the other numerous online resources?

  • The information is mobile friendly. You can have your tablet or phone in front of you and see all of the points of interest as you cruise along.
  • The interface is visual which engages users more easily than text based information
  • GPS functions like location tracking and journey time calculation
  • It’s very easy to add and update the maps, so the information is more likely to stay up to date
  • Users also have access to Google’s own points of interest
  • It’s free to use, and that’s always a bonus!

Although it’s free for anyone to use the maps, traders can opt for a higher level of service and subscribe to show their location 30 times in a year. Traders can find out more about the advertising packages here: http://boatsatnav.co.uk/advertise.htm

BoatSatNav officially launched at the Blisworth Festival on 12th and 13th August, where you can see a demonstration of the tool in action. This new website offers the kind of information that boaters only discover after years of exploring, so it is a real help to holiday makers that are new to the area.

You may also like to read some of Jan’s suggestions of the best places to moor on the River Nene.

  1. PS. Don’t miss the latest canal boating news from the Fenland waterways: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.
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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to do, Canal Blog, Featured articles

Are you asking yourself what to do in the school summer holidays?
Are your kids already glued to the TV or tablet?
Are you searching for some healthy outdoor activities to stave off boredom?

Day boat hire in Cambridgeshire could be the solution you are looking for. Invite extra family and friends and head out on the beautiful Fenland waterways for a day.

There’s no need to splash out on a luxury foreign break this summer when what your children really want is your undivided attention. (Those sibling squabbles in the holidays are often just an attempt to get an adult’s attention.) If you schedule a family boat trip this summer you can eliminate the hassle of road traffic and airport queues that are usually associated with holidays abroad.

School holidays used to be a time for children to spend their days running around outdoors, but with some parents’ reluctance to let them play outside unsupervised, children can now turn to their digital devices for play time. However, screen time may be consuming hours that could otherwise be spent building up strength and exploring the outside world.

Any kind of walking, playing or running around will help to maintain children’s fitness levels during this time off from school. On a day-boat trip or a hire boat holiday children can walk ahead on the towpath to operate locks, learning new skills, feeling independent and keeping active. Older children can have a go at steering the boat. Creative children may like to take photos and make a scrap book about their boating adventure. (Watch out for wildlife such as kingfishers and other water fowl.)

A picnic also offers the opportunity to spend some quality family time together, and costs very little money. If you want to plan a picnic without any traffic troubles or tantrums, follow these 3 simple steps to the perfect waterside picnic: How to Use Your Canal Boat Holiday to Plan the Perfect Picnic.

Our day boats can carry up to 10 passengers per boat and you can even bring your dog with you. Before setting off you will be shown how to steer the boat, and children will be provided with life jackets, and made to feel part of the crew.

Our day boat hire base is in the Fenland Market town of March, just 30 minutes from Cambridge by train. Fox Boats marina is on the River Nene, a picturesque pleasure boating route. Our two day boats, the March Adventurer and the March Explorer have a seating area, galley and toilet. Your journey may take you east towards the attractive village of Upwell, or west past Floods Ferry Marina park, along tranquil, scenic waterways. Both of these relaxing cruises offer beautiful scenery and wildlife, and with plenty of room at the bow or stern, everyone can be outside.

A school holiday day boat adventure costs just £175 for 10 people, midweek.

You can also choose from week boating holidays (7 nights), midweek boating breaks (4 nights), or weekend boating breaks (3 nights). We have different narrowboats available depending on the size of your group, and you can view the different boat layouts here: Fox Holiday Hire Fleet.

You may also like: 5 Family Goals You Can Achieve on a Narrowboat Holiday

Check out what to bring: Don’t Go On a Canal Holiday Without These 5 Kids Essentials

  1. PS. Don’t miss more free articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.
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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Featured articles

ely market boat holiday

Are you planning a narrowboat hire trip to Ely in Cambridgeshire?

Or maybe a short break on the Fens in a canal boat?

You’re probably aware of Ely’s more obvious attractions such as the cathedral, Oliver Cromwell’s House and Waterside Antiques.

But wouldn’t it be good to know about some of the hidden gems that only the locals know about? Here are three of Ely’s best kept secrets, for an amazing day out with your family or friends.

Ely Markets

Market days have been a part of Ely life for hundreds of years, and browsing for bargains in a lively atmosphere has still not gone out of fashion! The markets are popular with tourists and local residents alike. A chartered General Market is held on Thursdays and on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday of every month as well as on Sundays and Bank Holidays. There are stalls selling fresh produce, clothes, bric-a-brac, artwork, hand-crafted jewellery, bicycles, books, stationery, greeting cards, and take-away food, such as spring rolls, Thai curries, dumplings and noodles.

The Craft and Collectables Market happens every Saturday throughout the year with an assortment of arts, crafts, vintage, retro and more. You’ll also find a variety of tasty food in the Street Food Aisle.

Ely’s traditional Farmers’ Market is held every 2nd and 4th Saturday and is busy with knowledgeable, friendly stall holders always available to share advice and offer the freshest of local produce. So whenever you arrive to visit Ely there should be a decent market to browse around.

For more information and dates of the speciality markets visit www.elymarkets.co.uk

Ted Coney’s Family Portraits

On Waterside, close to the River Ouse you may discover a gorgeous 300 year old cottage which is the home of Ted and Hazel Coney. Ted Coney’s Family Portraits is a pop-up gallery which opens on Sunday afternoons and at other times by appointment. Ted Coney has been painting for over forty years and explores family relationships through the language of objects, places, words and numbers.

The artist’s original oil paintings cover themes of family life and relationships, birth, death, marriage and divorce. This personal trip down memory lane, and through a quirky house, with a charismatic artist, is the perfect option for a rainy day. Booking is recommended for this unique and rewarding experience.

Check out the virtual tour at http://www.tedconeysfamilyportraits.co.uk

Jubilee Gardens

This quaint park is a lovely walking link from the riverside to the town. It covers quite a large area from the riverside up to just below the cathedral. It’s a good place to rest while the kids play in the children’s play area, and has many open air events linked with Ely’s arts scene. You can discover the gardens as part of the Eel trail, and there is also a beautiful sculpture of an eel. There is a good sized lawn and many different plants, making it a peaceful place for a picnic or a pleasant walk.

Find a map and more info at http://www.jubileegardens-ely.org.uk

There’s much more to see in Ely than these three surprises, so if you’re interested in narrowboat hire or a short break on the Fens in a luxury canal boat, you may want to include a stop in Ely in your holiday plans.

Love hire boating? For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out on the Fenland Waterways, enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in box.

Image attribution:
Jubilee Gardens, Ely
cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Michael Trolove – geograph.org.uk/p/1388826

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Foxes News
IMG_0604_edited

Lee

hire boat moorings

hire boat moorings

Lee is our new marina operative. He started working for the company in April, you may have met him if you have visited the marina in the last few weeks for diesel or a pumpout.  Other duties Lee has undertaken since he arrived have included maintenance of the hire boat moorings and we hope that you will agree how smart they now look.  Lee’s other regular work includes day boat and hire boat preparation, bottom blacking and site maintenance.  Since joining the company Lee has also gained his Level 1 Health and Safety in the workplace award and is looking forward to starting his British Marine marina operative course in the autumn.

Say hello to him next time you are visiting your boat!

 

by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to do, Canal Blog, Featured articles

day boat hire alternative to punting

 

Trying to plan a day out in Cambridgeshire?

Want to surprise your group with a comfortable alternative to punting?

Whether it’s a hen party, stag ‘do’ or a special family occasion, it’s a challenge to organise a memorable boat trip, without settling for the obvious option.

But if you want to delight your friends and family with a self-drive adventure through the stunning scenery of Cambridgeshire, then narrowboat day hire could be just what you are looking for.

A narrowboat or canal boat is a more traditional style of vessel that can carry up to 10 passengers per boat.

Just 30 minutes from Cambridge by train, you will find our day boat hire base in the lovely Fenland Market town of March. Our marina is on the navigable River Nene, which is perfect for pleasure boating. We’re a family-run business offering a personal and friendly service to both new and experienced boaters, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions when you meet us.

The English Experience

Our charming day boats are the March Adventurer and the March Explorer. Both boats have a seating area and a toilet, and you will find the galley complete with hob, fridge, sink, crockery and cutlery. Bring on board your own cream tea with Prosecco, or have a cup of tea with fish and chips, and turn the day out into the ultimate English experience! (OK I know Prosecco isn’t English but who wouldn’t like bubbles on their countryside cruise?!)

Our marina is surrounded by the tranquil Fenland Waterways. If you travel east through the town of March towards the picturesque village of Upwell the journey will take you about six and a half hours. Alternatively if you decide to cruise west you will pass Floods Ferry Marina Park and arrive at Ashline Lock and the town of Whittlesey.

Both of these relaxing boat trips offer beautiful scenery and wildlife, and with plenty of room at the bow or stern, everyone can be outside. You can even bring your dog! All you need to find now is the perfect excuse for a group celebration or outing. So who will you surprise with this alternative summer boat trip?

Check out the stunning local scenery in this short video clip: Day boat hire near Cambridge and Ely.

For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out in Cambridgeshire, enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in box.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to see, Canal Blog, Featured articles

Wiki commons - Peter Skuce

How do you keep everybody happy, when you’re planning a narrowboat holiday?

Mum wants to browse the shops in a pretty market town, the kids want to run wild through the meadows and woodland, and Dad just wants a quiet real ale in a country pub somewhere.

But what if you could do all of these things and include a trip aboard a heritage steam or diesel train? Imagine relaxing in a restored wooden panelled coach or compartment and being taken back in time to the golden age of steam!

The Nene Valley steam railway is based near Peterborough, so you can easily include it in your narrowboat holiday. Foxboats Route 3 – March to Ferry Meadows Country Park is a 12 hours return trip and ideal for a short break.

If you want to plan a narrowboat holiday that keeps everybody happy, and includes something a little different, you could consider a steam train trip in your holiday plans.

The Nene Valley Railway line travels through a tunnel, (built in 1845,) to a country station at Yarwell on the Northamptonshire border. Visitors can use the train as a base to explore the stations at Wansford, Ferry Meadows with its country park, Orton Mere and its riverside walks and lakes, and the station in Peterborough.

The Narrowboat Journey

Setting off from our hire boat base in March, Cambridgeshire, you’ll pass Floods Ferry and the Greenwich Meridian, before heading on to Ashline Lock at the historic market town of Whittlesey. After leaving Whittlesey you’ll pass a couple of pubs and then head into more open countryside, travelling beside a deep brick pit. On the approach to Peterborough you will see the cathedral across the flat fields that lead to Stanground Lock. Peterborough Cathedral is the resting place of Katherine of Aragon and former resting place of Mary Queen of Scots, dating back to 654 AD.

A short branch of the River Nene leads from this lock, with Stanground Village on the left and a nature reserve on the right, before the river goes under the railway bridge and onto the wide waters of the Nene. Turn left here to find visitor moorings along the length of the park; which are really convenient for the city centre.

Carrying on up the river from the centre of Peterborough you will see a series of open spaces and wild areas on the right that are part of Nene Park: acres of meadows, lakes and woods running alongside the River Nene.

Further up river from Peterborough Bridge, after some guillotine locks and the moorings of Peterborough Yacht Club, you will come to the entrance of Ferry Meadows Country Park on the left. Then, a short connecting channel will take you into Orton Lake. Head towards the left-hand side of the lake and you will see some pontoons provided for visitor moorings.

Ferry Meadows is great for families, offering cycle hire, a visitor centre, shop, play areas, a miniature railway, walking, kite-flying, pony riding, nature-spotting and fishing as well as facilities for various water sports at the water sports centre and on its associated ponds and lakes.

So perhaps you could moor here and then join the steam train at Ferry Meadows Country Park. There is a regular steam train service and occasional diesel hauled services.

The NVR has just celebrated 40 years with a week of special anniversary events, with a number of special trains and attractions. You may like to visit the NVR website to find out about more upcoming special events and experiences.

For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for your narrowboat holiday, enter your email address in the box in the right side bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in box.

Image Attribution
By PeterSkuce – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Customer Reviews

The boatbuilding and maintenance team were delighted to receive these kind words from Mike and Malena about the work undertaken on their boat over recent times.

Once again Fox’s have done us proud with a great job of painting our narrow-boat. They have always been good to deal with, everybody has been kind and helpful. We’re attaching 3 piccies. The first is when the boat was new in 2005 (not from Fox’s) seriously under-powered with an outboard motor. The second after Fox’s extended it and replaced outboards with Isuzu 35hp inboard. Superb workmanship by Alan; and the last is this year when we had it repainted with another superb job by Gary. Not to forget Tracey and everybody else who were always pleased to see us and never minded when we took photographs of work in progress.

thanks to all Mike & Malena

The original boat
after the extension and new engine
after the repaint

 

 

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Amazing things to do, Canal Blog, Featured articles

national picnic cambridge boat hire

Planning a family holiday can be daunting.

We’ve all felt frustrated trying to find locations without asking for directions, avoiding arguments in the car, and keeping the kids entertained, without spending a fortune.

That’s where the great British tradition of a picnic comes in.

A picnic offers the opportunity to spend some quality family time together, gets everyone outdoors and costs very little money. To eliminate any travel stress, you ideally want to travel to a picnic by narrowboat!

National Picnic Week (16th to 25th June 2017) encourages people to get together and eat al fresco, offering advice, tips, recipes and information to make sure everyone enjoys the perfect picnic.

If you want to plan a picnic without any traffic troubles or tantrums, follow these 3 simple steps to the perfect waterside picnic.

1) Pick Your Ideal Location

River banks and inland waterways provide some of the best scenery that England has to offer. On a Fox boats narrowboat holiday you can stop just about anywhere you like. (Just don’t moor your holiday narrowboat near bridges, junctions, locks or in other company’s boat yards without their permission.) You can plan your boating route on our website, or get inspired about where to stop, by browsing an Imray guide to our local rivers.

On our day-boat routes Lance Hunter Rowe Boat Basin at Outwell, and West End Park moorings in March are good picnic places. If your holiday plans are to cruise towards Ely, try stopping for a picnic in Huntingdon Park, or on the riverside at Ely. If your journey takes you in the other direction, Peterborough Embankment and Ferry Meadows Country Park are both good picnic spots.

2) Be Prepared

When packing for your narrowboat holiday you may like to bring along some deck chairs, a blanket, a cool box, backpacks or a picnic hamper. If you have young children you could also bring unbreakable cutlery, plates and cups. For the best picnic experience bring toys you can play with as a family, such as ball games or a Frisbee. You could also try card games, charades, or a hands-free pie eating contest! Bring an acoustic guitar and percussion instruments for a family sing-a-long, or magazines, comics, colouring books and novels if you fancy a quieter picnic.

3) Stress-free Food Shopping

You can either bring supplies of food with you on holiday, or shop locally in March before you set off on your cruise. Sainsbury’s and Iceland are a two minute walk from the moorings. If you’re going out on a day-boat you could stop to shop in Upwell Village stores on the riverside, or at Outwell village shop, which is a two minute walk from the river. On a longer holiday cruise you will find there is an Asda in Peterborough on the riverside, plus various shops in the city. Cruising towards Cambridge you will find Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s in Ely.

So those are the 3 simple steps to planning a perfect canal-side picnic. Avoid family friction, and squabbling with the sat-nav: Travel by Fox boat to your next family feast!

You may also like: The 6 Best Narrowboat Summer Holiday Recipes

To get more surprising ideas of how to really enjoy your narrowboat holiday subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar – look for Follow Blog. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

Image licenced to Fox Narrowboats by Deposit Photos

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog

June is the perfect time to explore the waterways of the Cambridgeshire Fens!

We have asked our staff for their top 3 picks for a short break.

narrowboat holiday ely

narrowboat holiday ely

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TraceyTracey our finance director would head off to Ferry Meadows Country Park on the river Nene with it’s visitor moorings in Overton lake.  It’s perfect for families you may wish to walk, cycle, play in the children’s playground, ride a train or visit the on site café and visitors centre.

 

Emily fox narrowboatsEmily our general manager likes to head to Ely on the river Great Ouse with its riverside mooring and dining scene, she says it is also worth taking time to visit the cathedral which has it origins in AD672. The present building dates back to 1083 with its most famous feature being the stunning octagonal tower and lantern.

 

paula syred foxboats directorPaula our managing director likes the peace and tranquillity of exploring the Middle Level Navigations and mooring in open countryside to relax, unwind and read a book and to watch for wildlife such as the kingfishers of the old river Nene and goes on to say that if you are extremely lucky you may spot an otter playing before dusk. She also recommends an evening meal at the Golden Lion, Stonea. Although its a scramble up the river bank to reach  and you do have to watch the road the portion sizes are worth it. Just make sure you are hungry.

Check the availability for a last minute break.

 

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