0.5 miles, 10 locks
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| Waiting at the top lock |
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| Top lock |
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| Anna |
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| Descending |
Walked back to the car park with the Whittakers stopping at Bridge 51 for a coke and to watch the world go round.
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| Duck food! |
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| Bottom lock |
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| Every pub should do this |
Day 11 - Foxton Locks
Saturday 13th August
0.5 miles, 10 locks
Sunny start to the day but drizzled a bit as time came for our visitors to arrive, Rachael, Ross and Anna.
Queued for Foxton locks Anna charging around and getting very annoyed when we wouldn't let he walk on water or explore a lock. She caused a lot of comments when she had her lif jacket, reins and first mates badge on!
Went down the ten locks in fifty minutes, Rach and Ross working locks. Anna and I sat on the front saying down, down, down and cheering when the gates opened. Anna shouting more and more each time we left a lock. Cruised round on to the Market Harborough arm.
Walked back to the car park with the Whittakers stopping at Bridge 51 for a coke and to watch the world go round.
0.5 miles, 10 locks
Walked back to the car park with the Whittakers stopping at Bridge 51 for a coke and to watch the world go round.
Day 12 - Foxton to Market Harborough
Sunday 14th August
5.5 miles
A quiet, pleasant cruise into Market Harborough meeting our first fishing match of the trip.
Turned in the basin and moored on the towpath rather than pay £10 for a pontoon in the basin.
Walked into town, very nice especially the Old Grammar School a small building on stilts by the church.
After stocking up with food in Sainsburys we had an hour to relax before the arrival of our next visitors Clive and Helen. Spent a pleasant hour and a half with them, they brought courgettes and apples from their garden.
Walked along to the waterfront where a jazz band were playing. Warm enough to sit outside - we treated ourselves to a curry - our first meal/takeaway of the trip.
5.5 miles
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| Entering Market Harborough basin |
Turned in the basin and moored on the towpath rather than pay £10 for a pontoon in the basin.
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| Church and Old Grammar School |
After stocking up with food in Sainsburys we had an hour to relax before the arrival of our next visitors Clive and Helen. Spent a pleasant hour and a half with them, they brought courgettes and apples from their garden.
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| Sculpture in the basin |
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| Our evening spot |
Day 13 - Market Harborough to Foxton
Monday 15th August
5.5 miles
A beautiful day. Paul went into MH basin for a pump out while I went to find a chemist - coldsore. Paul met me and we had a coffee in the square.
Back to boat to cruise in the sunshine back to Foxton. Sam from the boatyard unable to repack the stern gland as he has injured his elbow. Paul bought some packing and did it himself. It took a long time as one engine mount had come loose putting the shaft out of alignment. Phone call to Ian to find out what to do and a very awkward tightening of a barely accessible nut. All well in the end except that Paul has and aching chest and tummy from lying on the hard floor and engine and stretching over to reach the dreaded nut!
5.5 miles
A beautiful day. Paul went into MH basin for a pump out while I went to find a chemist - coldsore. Paul met me and we had a coffee in the square.
Back to boat to cruise in the sunshine back to Foxton. Sam from the boatyard unable to repack the stern gland as he has injured his elbow. Paul bought some packing and did it himself. It took a long time as one engine mount had come loose putting the shaft out of alignment. Phone call to Ian to find out what to do and a very awkward tightening of a barely accessible nut. All well in the end except that Paul has and aching chest and tummy from lying on the hard floor and engine and stretching over to reach the dreaded nut!
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| Sunset |
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| Bottom lock |
Day 14 - Foxton to Newton Harcourt
Tuesday 16th August
7 miles, 5 locks
Another beautiful day very warm and blue skies. Cruised from Foxton to Newton Harcourt. Stunning mooring looking over fields to Wistow church and maize maze which was dotted with sunflowers.
Moored up at lunch time and walked across fields to Wistow rural centre, a few shops, cafe, deli and model village. Bought some citronella candles sharpener for the shears and a stash of greetings cards.
Quiet evening on mooring. Enjoyed a lovely roast dinner and cycling at the olympics.
7 miles, 5 locks
Another beautiful day very warm and blue skies. Cruised from Foxton to Newton Harcourt. Stunning mooring looking over fields to Wistow church and maize maze which was dotted with sunflowers.
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| Wistow model village |
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| Moored at Newton Harcourt |
Quiet evening on mooring. Enjoyed a lovely roast dinner and cycling at the olympics.
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| A beautiful evening |
Day 15 - Newton Harcourt to Glen Parva
Wednesday 17th August
6 miles, 13 locks
Another blazing hot day. Set off about 9.30 through beautiful countryside passing a hire boat about to set off so did the first two locks with them. At the next they went on to go down with the single boat ahead and we waited for Elizabeth Austin, Nick and Ann, who we have seen a lot and chatted to over the last week.
On arriving at Kilby Bridge met the hire boat only to find a woman had fallen at the third lock and was waiting for a taxi to take her to A&E. Found out later it was a soft tissue injury not a fracture.
Sat out at Kilby Bridge for lunch before doing more locks with the hire boat (Ann and Nick having turned round to head back to Napton). Stopped at a shallow, rural mooring on a tilt! Hadn't moored long when bulls either side of the canal had a stand off. What a racket and a lot of stamping the ground.
Paul was sorting the anchor out ready to join the River Soar tomorrow when he heard a splash. A boy had come off his bike into the canal. Sent Paul off with a towel and Ribena. He was alright, just shocked.
Went for a stroll around Glen Parva nature reserve before eating a curry that I had cooked using the Sri Lankan spice mix that Rob and Claire had bought me for my birthday.
6 miles, 13 locks
Another blazing hot day. Set off about 9.30 through beautiful countryside passing a hire boat about to set off so did the first two locks with them. At the next they went on to go down with the single boat ahead and we waited for Elizabeth Austin, Nick and Ann, who we have seen a lot and chatted to over the last week.
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| Lunch at Kilby Bridge |
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| Tucked into the reeds at Glen Parva |
Paul was sorting the anchor out ready to join the River Soar tomorrow when he heard a splash. A boy had come off his bike into the canal. Sent Paul off with a towel and Ribena. He was alright, just shocked.
Went for a stroll around Glen Parva nature reserve before eating a curry that I had cooked using the Sri Lankan spice mix that Rob and Claire had bought me for my birthday.
Day 16 - Glen Parva to Leicester
Thursday 18th August
6 miles, 4 locks
Another blazing hot day, had arranged with Tony and Jan NB to go down the locks into Leicester with them around 9ish.
Slow start as cruiser passed just as we were getting ourselves off the bottom and used the lock which was set in our favour. Met several boats coming up all saying that they had enjoyed Leicester.
Man asked if we had seen a chocolate labrador swimming in the canal. We said "no". About half an hour later there it was. Called out to the owner who looked exhausted as did the dog and they were reunited.
We moored at Castle Gardens, Tony and Jan went on to the new pontoon.
Set off to explore Leicester visiting the Guildhall, Cathedral housing Richard III tomb and pall and the Newarke house museum. Also saw a wedding outside the New Walk museum. The gardens were well kept, the market fantastic and the shops varied. We had heard so many negative comments about Leicester we were pleasantly surprised.
We strolled along a couple of streets in the evening with bars, shops and restaurants from all over the world, stopping for a pint of Rob in the micro brewery and calling in the Black Horse where a music night was going on. Picked up a Chinese takeaway from Yumchi which was very good. Ate out on the pontoon.
6 miles, 4 locks
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| Freeman's Meadow Lock |
Slow start as cruiser passed just as we were getting ourselves off the bottom and used the lock which was set in our favour. Met several boats coming up all saying that they had enjoyed Leicester.
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| Leicester City FC |
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| Leaving the lock |
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| The Mile Straight |
We moored at Castle Gardens, Tony and Jan went on to the new pontoon.
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| Leicester Guildhall |
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| Richard III tomb |
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| ... and commemorative window |
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| ... and shroud |
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| Leicester Cathedral |
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| Leicester City Centre |
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| Our mooring at Castle Park |
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| A pint of Rob |
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| Unusual urinals! |
Day 17 - Leicester to Leicester Marina
Friday 19th August
4 miles, 4 locks
Our first wet cruise of the trip from Leicester City centre to Leicester Marina. Canal/river still very pleasant particularly around the Birstall water park. Passed the National Space Centre.
Long stretch of water between the mainline and the marina itself. On arriving at the marina it was soon obvious it was not of the same standard as Stoke.
Paul went to get hire car, a white Clio, then got lost on the way back so we wasted an hour of the afternoon. Had a very busy, wet drive down to Birmingham, Paul not liking the car whose engine cut out (intentionally) every time we stopped.
Nice to see Anna. Had an enjoyable curry from the Dosa Village, Rachael and Ross treat.
4 miles, 4 locks
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| Canal side mural |
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| Sock factory |
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| The National Space Centre above Belgrave Lock |
Long stretch of water between the mainline and the marina itself. On arriving at the marina it was soon obvious it was not of the same standard as Stoke.
Paul went to get hire car, a white Clio, then got lost on the way back so we wasted an hour of the afternoon. Had a very busy, wet drive down to Birmingham, Paul not liking the car whose engine cut out (intentionally) every time we stopped.
Nice to see Anna. Had an enjoyable curry from the Dosa Village, Rachael and Ross treat.
Day 18 - Birmingham
Saturday 20th August
Had a lay in! Anna didn't wake up until 8.45. Rachael and Ross went off to Lucy's wedding. Still showery and very windy.
Walked to Shirley in the afternoon managed to dodge the showers. Got some wedding photos printed off for mum, took my original outfit to Acorns and bought Anna a doll which she loved. She has lots of words now.
After a tiring day - Anna didn't nap- I'm afraid it was another takeaway. I couldn't relax enough to go to bed in the loft so dozed on the sofa until Rachael and Ross got back at 1.15 am.
Had a lay in! Anna didn't wake up until 8.45. Rachael and Ross went off to Lucy's wedding. Still showery and very windy.
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| Taking the baby for a walk |
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| Enjoying a babycino |
After a tiring day - Anna didn't nap- I'm afraid it was another takeaway. I couldn't relax enough to go to bed in the loft so dozed on the sofa until Rachael and Ross got back at 1.15 am.
Day 19 - Shipton Moyne and Swindon
Sunday 21st August
Another showery day, Anna slept until late again.
Drove down to Mum's where we had lunch and put contacts on her phone to avoid nuisance calls. Paul mended broom.
Next Paul's Dad where we saw a bit of Rebecca wedding video and Ann cooked a lovely roast.
Nasty drive back to Leicester, roads busy and very wet.
Another showery day, Anna slept until late again.
Drove down to Mum's where we had lunch and put contacts on her phone to avoid nuisance calls. Paul mended broom.
Next Paul's Dad where we saw a bit of Rebecca wedding video and Ann cooked a lovely roast.
Nasty drive back to Leicester, roads busy and very wet.
Day 20 - Leicester Marina to Mountsorrel
Monday 22nd August
5.5 miles, 4 locks
Dry again today but cloudy. Took advantage of having the car to do a big Sainsbury's shop in the biggest Sainsburys we've ever seen.
Got a text from Jo to say that Jonathan had died on Saturday morning.
After taking the car back we were pleased to be leaving the marina and getting back on the cut. Very pleasant cruise to Mount Sorrel - managed to moor outside the Waterfront pub.
Had a wander into the village. There is an old Buttercross Market and a war memorial on top of the mount. It seemed rude not to call into the pub where Paul enjoyed a pint or two of Old Original.
5.5 miles, 4 locks
Dry again today but cloudy. Took advantage of having the car to do a big Sainsbury's shop in the biggest Sainsburys we've ever seen.
Got a text from Jo to say that Jonathan had died on Saturday morning.
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| Sileby Lock |
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| Mountsorrel |
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| The Buttercross Market with Castle Hill behind |
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| Mountsorrel lock from our mooring at night |
Day 21 - Mountsorrel
Tuesday 23rd August
Too hot to move
Hot, hot, hot, 29 degrees. Walked a 5 mile round trip from Mountsorrel to Barrow on Soar for a slimming world meeting, well worth it as I lost 2.5 pounds and got my two and a half stone award - yippee!
Decided to have a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine - only it was too hot to sit out! Paul cleaned the windows and brass.
Pub was buzzing all day, hardly a table, of which there were many, available.
Able to sit out for a late dinner only to be entertained by a pub goer showing off to his mates by riding his bike into the river only to shout "it's cold".
Too hot to move
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| The weir below Mountsorrel lock |
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| Looking back to Mountsorrel under the old Grand Central |
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| The collapsed railway bridge at Barrow on Soar |
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| Castle Hill behind the Grand Central bridge |
Pub was buzzing all day, hardly a table, of which there were many, available.
Able to sit out for a late dinner only to be entertained by a pub goer showing off to his mates by riding his bike into the river only to shout "it's cold".
Day 22 - Mountsorrel to Kegworth Deep Lock
Wednesday 24th August
10 miles, 4 locks
Another very hot day! Cruised from Mountsorrel to Loughborough not that impressed with moorings and too hot to wander around the town so decided to cruise on to Zouch or Kegworth.
Finally moored above Kegworth deep lock, lovely rural mooring only downside was it was on the flight path to East Midlands airport which was very close too, we can read the logos on the planes.
Wandered down to Kegworth shallow lock - a flood lock that is open in the summer months. Called into the Anchor a proper local where we watched some of England v Pakistan ODI which England won by Duckworth Lewis as it rained.
10 miles, 4 locks
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| Horses near Mountsorrel |
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| The lovely River Soar |
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| Normanton on Soar |
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| Interesting houses at Normanton on Soar |
Finally moored above Kegworth deep lock, lovely rural mooring only downside was it was on the flight path to East Midlands airport which was very close too, we can read the logos on the planes.
Wandered down to Kegworth shallow lock - a flood lock that is open in the summer months. Called into the Anchor a proper local where we watched some of England v Pakistan ODI which England won by Duckworth Lewis as it rained.
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