NB NOTE DATE CHANGE. THIS RUN WAS LISTED IN THE MAGAZINE AS BEING THE PREVIOUS DAY, BUT THAT WOULD BE IMPRACTICAL FOR PARKING IN ELY

Canoeing

A paddle of about 8 miles, initially down Wicken and Burwell Lodes to the River Cam where we have to carry over a bank and re-launch into the Cam.  Then down the Cam to its confluence with the Ouse, and on down the Ouse to Ely.  Interesting start on a narrow reed-fringed channel, and hopefully good views of Ely Cathedral looming over the town at the finish.  The bit between is typical fenland river.  The map shows a pub beside the river at the confluence of the Ouse and Cam which might be a possible lunch stop, but I can't guarantee this so bring sandwiches and a drink.  At Ely we get out at a soil/gravel slipway on the L bank after passing some landing stages on the L and marinas R, just upstream of a footbridge over the river.

Because the upper part of Wicken Lode is ecologically sensitive the National Trust have asked us to launch 500m (about 5 minutes steady walking) downstream from the unloading point, where the New River joins the lode.  There is a firm path all the way to this point, but A TROLLEY IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE.  I suggest we leave the trolleying until after the car ferry has been completed.

There is interest for non-canoeists both at Ely (cathedral & museums) and Wicken Fen (preserved original fen vegetation, with water levels maintained artificially high compared to the surrounding land).