Guest author: Paula

And who better to write about parallels to the Midwest than a Midwesterner?

I had had concerns. Having been to Cambridge before, I knew the region is flat. I didn’t know the area along the River Nene and was very pleasantly surprised by the rolling countryside, lovely honey colored stone buildings, a beautiful river. (And cows.)

But there was a niggling worry:  what if the countryside goes all flat on us? And low and behold: we left Peterborough this morning, entered onto the prosaically named “Middle Level Navigation” canal system and – flat.

This area is called the Fens. Basically, without drainage, this entire area would be under water. Parts of this area are below sea level, and we ain’t that far from the North Sea.

Two raised banks create the drainage ditch we are floating in. The surrounding landscape is not visible. Well, there are windmills, the occasional chimney stacks for brick making business. Oh, and a fire in the distance. 

Only a handful of locks, very few boats, and almost no moorings.  We aimed to reach the town of March which purported to have three areas with moorings. But, like Mary and Joseph, we got there, no room at the inn. We did see one cute sign: 

With trepidation, we left town, fearing an extended trip to the next known lock where we could reasonably moor. But, just past town, Andrew spotted some sturdy looking trees along the embankment. We are moored here for the night now. I know: Let’s call it The Manger!

Lovely weather, genuinely summery.

That’s it from me, returning you to your regularly scheduled funny guy.