The Thames is under flood conditions with red and yellow boards advising dangerous or strong streams. The Rally intended for Easter has been moved to the Fens, starting at St Ives.

Launching at Jones Boatyard. Postcode PE27 5ET. Website http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk “Contact” gives how to find and directions from your home postcode.
We have clearance to launch on Thursday 1st April (no fooling!) and launch fee of £22 includes first night mooring in their marina. Trailer storage is charged at £2 per day. Marina facilities are good, but electricity may not be available. Slipway is straightforward into sheltered marina water.
The boatyard has an excellent chandlery and any maps, books or equipment you might want should be readily available.
Jon & Toni Dane might join us for supper that evening, perhaps in St Ives.
Cruise Plan is to go downstream on the River Ouse to “Popes Corner” where we will probably turn left towards Ely (22 miles from St Ives) or maybe right towards Cambridge (30 miles). Both cities are interesting and have various facilities and moorings that we can discuss at the time – both can easily be included in the itinerary – or there are various minor rivers that can be explored as we wish.
Water and sanitary facilities are available at Ely and Cambridge. Petrol at Jones Boatyard and at Ely Marina (both at marina prices!).
Environment Agency Licence for the rivers is required – I will check details on Monday of how and where to obtain this, but the good news is that it is apparently significantly cheaper than the Thames Licence. Lock keys or handles will also be required and they can be purchased at the Chandlery, but it may be that the ones we already hold will be sufficient – if we travel as a group. Most of the locks (and there are not too many) are electrically operated.

Bill