The Boatyard on the River Nene.

I thought this boat was grand for the waterways of the Fen.

It was the last day of work today, before having four days off. It has been a little vexing this shift because I've managed to break two work vans. Both are in the fitters awaiting repair. The third truck I've been using is a little Isuzu with a container cage at the back. Hopefully, when I go back on Saturday, I'll have my own truck repaired.

My workmate, Kenny, asked me to leave the Isuzu in the dock yard for him as he is in tomorrow and will be using it. Therefore, I drove it to Wisbech docks and into the boatyard.

I was taken by all the boats in dry dock and the huge crane/sling that lifted the boats out of the River Nene and onto the dockside for various types of repair work. I had a little wonder around and took a few photos on the mobile phone camera.

My fancy was caught by a small canal boat with a low draft. It is not for the open sea but more for the waterways of the Fens. I thought it might be a wonderful craft to have.

There were also boats for the high seas too. Although some needed rather a bit of TLC before being put back along the Nene and out into the Wash and then the open sea.

Hull restoration well on its way. 

Another waiting for a refit and touch up.

I'm told this one goes to the off shore wind farms.

The boat hospital

Various boats awaiting attention

The sling that drops below the hull then lifts vessel out of river Nene.

Walk with Us Along the River Nene into March Town

The autumn is coming and the leaves are falling down as we walk the river into town. Everyone likes to go to shops via the river bank because it takes you to the complete centre of the hamlet where the road bridge passes over the river. Suddenly there is the hustle and bustle of the town's traffic and then quite again, once we cross the road and carry on along the river and out of the other side of March town.

There are all sorts of quaint houses and houseboats along the river. Everything slows down and becomes carefree. I'm clicking away with the camera. Just for fun. Most of the snaps are of little use but some can give the reader an idea of the river walk to the town of March in Cambridgeshire.

The Kingfisher Gets His Dinner.

Carole and I were walking along the River Nene. We had decided upon an evening stroll to see if we could spot the barn owls. However, it was too early and there was a lot of daylight left. They come out nearer to dusk.

We did see many other types of bird. The whole place was alive with Goldfinches and they were chirping away in the trees and hedges. I saw a few on the telephone cables and snapped some with my camera. I also saw some Chaffinches. 

As we ambled along the canal bank by the house boats, Carole stopped me and said, "There!"

I looked at her and frowned. She was pointing ahead and added. "On the post by the houseboat - a Kingfisher."

As she said it, I made out the turquoise blue of the smashing little river bird. It was perched on a metal bank bannister pole by the moored houseboat. I focused in on the bird and began clicking away with the Nikon D3100. Some of the shots were not sharp enough, but there were a fair few that came out fine. 

After a while, it flew off but I managed to spot it again. It went on the house boat and dived into the water. It then emerged with a fish in its long rapier-like beak. I managed to get another group of shots as the creature went about shaking and banging the captured fish. Making it ready for consumption.