They seek him here; they seek him there but the great elusive seal – christened Neil by his fans – has finally made it to Littleport.
“At last, I believe we have had a visit from Neil the seal!” was the gleeful comment from Andy and Dawn Clark, owners of The Boat Haven in Lynn Road, Ely.
Delighted Boat Haven owners: “At last, I believe we have had a visit from Neil the seal!” PHOTO: The Boat Haven (copyright)
Their moment of joy came at 6pm on Saturday when Neil popped by for a visit – undoubtedly attracted by the Boat Haven advert describing it a “a tranquil cut off the west side of the Great Ouse”.
Not that Neil needed to use any of the facilities that the Boat Haven has, with its vast selection of pontoon, bank, and river moorings.
No use for the slipway!
And Neil had little use – for obvious reasons – of a slipway that incidentally can be rented on a weekly basis and is suitable for 60ft narrow boats and cruisers to around 34ft.
No, Neil was there simply to enjoy a brief respite from his normal surroundings which Facebook followers have tracked in recent times.
“He was at my son’s marina at Isleham,” said one post.
Another pointed out that Neil “often sits on the mooring at Ten Mile Bank. I wonder where he had been.”
Not all are lucky enough to see him.
“I keep looking out for him at Ten Mile Bank,” said another post.
Delighted Boat Haven owners: “At last, I believe we have had a visit from Neil the seal!” PHOTO: The Boat Haven (copyright)
The consensus is that Neil pops into the Ouse “into fresh water every spring for a few weeks, then goes back to the sea”.
Whatever his motives, The Boat Haven loved their VIP visitor…. judging by his smile Neil enjoyed it too.
