Theddingworth

Today's Canal : Grand Union Leicester Branch

After the exertions of the succession of wide beam locks that brought us up from the River Trent to Kilworth, today marked a change to a very different style of cruising. Only the Foxton 10 and the Watford 7, all narrow and generally staffed with volunteers, we have extended level cruising, often through some pleasant and varied countryside.

Today for forecast looked as if it was going to be cloudy all day,. but actually what arrived (and is probably what was in the forecast model) was a lot of cloud cover but extensive blue sky in between. The temperature was pretty much as expected, still quite warm but much pleasanter and often with a good breeze. It is hard to think of better cruising weather.

As the photo shows, there were a few darker  clouds but Mike gave them a stern talking to and reminded them that they had 0% chance of delivering rain at last until lunch time! Just for once they behaved themselves.

After about three quarters of an hour the first major landmark for today came  into view: Saddington Tunnel. This is about half a mile in length, very well constructed and totally straight - the end is in sight before even entering.

It seemed as if a rather boat had been through as at times there was definitely something in the air, slightly alarming at first until it was confirmed that we were not actually on fire! Inside, with just the light of the headlamp it is difficult to be sure quite was around but we were not asphixiated.

By the time we emerged into the open air much more blue sky had arrived (actually, it more that grey clouds had disappeared! The blue sky is there all the time, just that we do not see it)

Plenty of rolling countryside to enjoy.

Saddington Reservoir Feeder did not look as if it was topping up the long pound with much extra water.

Sometimes those darker clouds gave more texture to the background and were rather attractive just so long as they remember that 0%.

We had been going very slowly and there were extensive banks of reeds to contend with - even more than back in May. We even stopped at one point to check the weed hatch but nothing much was found. Just the effect of the reeds on narrowing the channel. Just before Debdale Marina we passed the sign that is really the explanation: that stretch is designated an SSSI and so cannot be managed properly for boat use. We also wondered how much the added growth contributes to water consumption and the drop in levels? Ironically, the extensive vegetation overhanging the towpath (and being quite a hazard for walkers) made it difficult to read the notice!

We pulled in to Debdale Marina to fill up our diesel tank. Alas, when Christine went to the office to announce our need, she was given most apologetically the news that the pump was broken! Just as well we always try to keep the fuel level not much lower than half.

It was around 11 when we reached Foxton Junction. We first headed to the services for the usual activities. The water point had good pressure so we were finished much sooner than we had anticipated. 

As soon as Mike was ready to stow away the hosepipe, Christine went in search of the volunteer lock keeper with 'the book' - as boats can only go one way at a time through Foxton Locks, there is a queuing system, first come first served! The news was that four boats were in the process of descending and we would have a wait of perhaps an hour. Still, gave us a chance for a mod morning mug of coffee.

Eventually we were given the go ahead to enter the bottom lock. With so many volunteers on duty and only us and one other boat waiting to go up that it was quickly clear that we would have an effortless trip to the Top Lock! Christine stayed ashore to chat with folk and Mike stayed aboard, only waking up to move the boat forward a lock length every few minutes (actually he had to be woken up on one occasion when he missed the gates ahead being opened)

We came out at the top just under an hour after starting. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful if just a little possessive of the lock operation! We headed straight to the nearest visitor mooring to tie up for a slightly late lunch.

It was decided that we could proceed a little further, not quite to the next tunnel, depending on where we find a mooring around Theddingworth. We immediately passed Dolly (Boy and Horse), originally intended to celebrate the role of horses in early canal trade. However, it is also important to remember how young children from a very early age were once put to work, often for their parents, working long and arduous hours.

Now away from the SSSI, our progress was much smoother yet the scenery still very green, more so than when we passed through in May when much was still coming fully out.

It was also good to note that the strange rattle we had  both noticed this morning had now gone. (Mike had checked the weed hatch Uxter plate whilst waiting below the locks)

We cruised for about an hour, reaching a stretch where there at least six mooring spots marked on Waterway Routes map. Just after Bridge 51 we picked a spot where the trees were no quite so over-arching. 

For most of the afternoon we noticed a faint sewage smell but could not locate it, or even be sure of its direction. It came and went at times as we wound around the hills (this was quite a contour canal). After we moored we tried to discover what might be its source. The next bridge, 52, is called Stink Farm Bridge but no such farm appears on even the old OS maps. Google yielded up reports of a couple of possible issues but were so old we would have expected the problems to have been fixed by now. A mystery (to us) Where we moored was not too bad.

8.4 Miles - 10 Locks

Kibworth

Today's Canal : Grand Union Leicester Branch

Today's Blog is not very interesting! Not, that is, unless you revel in the details of boaters' struggles with water levels and locks that have minds of their own.

When we left our overnight mooring the sky was quite grey and there had earlier been just a few (ie 6) drops of rain. Nevertheless it was pleasantly warm and only a gentle breeze. All this just as well as we had a target of 7 locks by lunch time, the a possible overnight mooring at Newton Harcourt, on a longer pound before the next set of five locks for tomorrow.

The first lock is named Bumble Bee Lock, no idea why and a departure from most names along here which are either place names or some local individual, typically xxx's Bridge. In addition, the creature thus named usually only forms one word not two.

And so the problems began: a marked shortage of water but not one that is behaving consistently. Some pounds, such as the one above Bumble Bee was clearly well below recent level, perhaps down as much as 200mm to 250mm. Certainly this was enough to mean that we travelled very slowly until arriving at Tythorne Lock.

The bypass weir here was almost running over!

At Bottom Half Mile Lock, the water was even flowing over the top of the gates when we arrived. (In between there had been some much emptier stretches)

This lock also demonstrated the other problem for today: locks with a mind of their own. In some case we would arrive at a lock to be greeted with both bottom gates open. Welcome though an empty was was, both gates open means that Mike had to go around and over the top gates to shut the offside bottom gate. (Almost all of the accommodation bridges below these lock did not offer access to boaters) We always make a point of closing all gates and paddles before we leave but this one decided otherwise, even before we had gone very far at all! No point in going back and shutting it again as it is very likely to repeat its performance.

Here again at our penultimate lock of the flight, the level was well down. We had heard rumours of a boat grounded in this pound but when we passed we suspected that it was a tactical grounding, for sure there was no boater desperately seeking CaRT assistance!

At the top lock we had a short chat with a member of CaRT staff who was trying to manage the levels. However with boats coming through, us and two following close behind, he could not balance all the levels so went off to fix a problem elsewhere. Fortunately the next level in the long pound before the five Kibworth Locks, was about full so we could make steady progress. 

In any event we did not go very far and pulled onto a good mooring with a view across the fields towards Wistow. Long enough for Christine to raise the option of tackling the next five locks this afternoon to give us a little leeway on our schedule, recovering the day off on Saturday.

The unusual house across the first field was built around 2012 and aimed to be especially eco efficient. Apparently it featured on an episode of Grand Designs. According to Zoopla it last sold in 2018 for £440K, less than for the Lock Cottage at the top lock in 2024. However, a comment on a Geograph page suggested it was being offered in 2024 for £3.3 million. In any event, the agent's site says that it has been withdrawn and is no longer for sale.

After lunch we took the plunge and set off for the top of the long run of locks from Leicester.

Shortly we had a view of Wistow Church - the bright yellow of rape seed in the fields alongside we spotted in May has now disappeared. We read this morning reports that farmers are harvesting crops this year up to six weeks earlier than 'normal'

Working through these five locks was much the same except that Mike soon discovered that he had forgotten to put his phone camera on charge over lunch and so it now shut down!

Did manage a shot of the penultimate lock: Gas Pipe. Unimaginatively named after the large gas pipe that cross over the canal just above the lock. Camera refused to take a picture of it - must have some taste at least!

Once through the flight and with some relief at Kibworth Top we only had a short distance to the nearest overnight mooring.

4.6 Miles - 12 Locks

Kilby Bridge

Today's Canal : Grand Union Leicester Branch

Our water tank gauge was showing an alarming lack of bars on its display! We had not been able to top up since Memory Lane Wharf several days ago. As a result we set ourselves quite a challenging schedule - 8 locks before lunch! 

When we set off the weather was looming just fine - plenty of  bright sky but much cooler temperatures and a welcome fresh breeze, but not so much as to blow off our sun hats!

As we pulled away from the mooring we could see just how clear the water was - even the occasional middle sized fish, but never when the camera could see them!

The first lock of the day was Blue Bank - when built all of today's locks were almost identical but changes over time meant that each posed its own challenges. These days, when possible, Mike will try to fill a lock from the paddles just on the tow path side but here was first issue of the day. Apart from the last lock, none of the top gate paddles admitted water when raised. Originally the gates had simple square holes through which water poured when the paddle otherwise covering it was lifted. This meant that the lock filled quickly but care was needed and signs were posted everywhere warning about the danger of strong flows. Today these signs are frequently quite unnecessary.

So, if the lock would not fill - at least before the end of the day - it was necessary to cross over and lift the other ground paddle. Mostly this is just a matter of extra energy consumption, but a few have very high step up and in at least one case, beyond Mike's present day capability (sympathetic ahh! please)

Earlier this year there have been at least two occasions when low water levels have led to a short closure of the canal to allow them to recover. The next pound was especially low and we crawled along, sometimes hardly moving but eventually getting to the next lock. Over the next few locks, the water level was better and it felt as if Monday morning had brought some water management and that extras supplies were being fed down. After a while that came to an end so perhaps there is a ration for each day.

We noticed a new set of raised beds at Aylestone Mill Lock on the way down in May but did not go across to take a closer look. Today we went across the road bridge and found that they were full of named herbs.

A plaque records the reason for the beds.

Money was raised for this garden by Joan Rowbottom

from the sale of her book on Kings Lock

in memory of her nephew Peter John Muggleton

1966 - 2020

The garden certainly brightens up the lock and we trust that a way will be found to maintain it in the longer term.

At Ervins Lock we were able to recruit an interested walker to close up the top gate after we had left. Both ere then shut but as the photo shows, by the time we had only been about a boat length one was already drifting open.

The bywash to this lock was quite wet indicating that it was not long since it too was passing water downstream. It was only off the top by about 50mm. A couple of pounds had been at least 200mm down on normal level.

The penultimate lock was Double Rail. Since we commented on this name and feature in May (see) we have heard that it is because a footpath right of way pre-dating the canal, passes over the top of the bottom gates. The footpath is clearly well used.

The top gate has strange bolt heads that look as if they once held a thick piece of wood in place, Perhaps this gate also once had two handrails but they were later deemed not necessary.

And so to our last lock - Kilby Lock. The pound from here had especially prolific lilies, the Wild White variety which can be quite pretty compared with the yellow ones Nuphar lutea. Christine insisted that Mike take a photo but this is easier asked than done. Apart from steering in a straight line, the passage of the boat tends to pull the flowers down below the surface. They also make a bigger visual impact to the eye than to the camera. 

On reaching Kilby Wharf we immediately pulled onto the service point and connected up to the water tap! Phew! - we did not actually run out. (We do have a very small emergency supply of bottled water but that would only be for hydration breaks - not for washing, ourselves, clothes, cooking and eating utensils or anything else) The elsan was emptied and rubbish of all sorts disposed into the many selective bins that are mandated these days. One of the down sides to this new scheme is in choosing the right size bin to provide for each category. It seems that some are too small (and overflow before the next collection is made) whilst others are almost empty and so comparatively expensive and wasteful of energy - we noticed last time that several different collections are made to cover the range.

As Mike was starting to move to the extensive and well ordered visitor moorings on the opposite side complete with proper bollards, Christine suggested that instead we might go another couple of bridges to the more isolated mooring we used in May. So we did! (But forgot to return the camera to the stern after putting it ready to download the mornings photos)

5.6 Miles - 8 Locks

Kings Lock

Today's Navigation : River Soar (Grand Union Leicester Branch)

Another slow start as we planned to go to the cathedral for their main service at 10:30. The weather today is much cooler - in fact, as we walked the short distance it was even somewhat cool with a strong breeze.

As we reached Cathedral Green, some blue sky began to emerge at least for a while. 

In the gardens there is an artwork that commemorates one of the city's main characters in history. The inscription reads:

Towards stillness

On the axis between Bosworth and Leicester

capturing twelve moments in time

from the battle that ended the reign of

King Richard III

to the discovery of his mortal remains.

The service was reasonably well attended and beautifully sung by the choir. The Dean's sermon was very much to the point highlighting the need for the cathedral as a community to look outward and also to not assume that there will always be someone else to bail out their financial needs!

The left promptly as we had a fairly challenging schedule - possibly - ahead of us, still not quite decided.

Back at the boat we immediately prepared to leave. The building opposite our mooring is the local office of the Land Registry. We decided against returning to Friars Mill for water as we could not assume that the only working tap would be accessible, We are a tad of the low side and the next water point is Kilby Bridge.

But first we headed back upstream to the mooring at Upperton Road so that we could walk the short distance to the nearby Lidl.

Once that task was complete it was definitely time for lunch, which we made and ate as expeditiously as we could! 

As the weather was now much more conducive to cruising and lock operating we decided to see how far we could manage today, making it at least a realistic hope that we can fill our water tank tomorrow, Tuesday morning at the very latest. Just down the Old River Soar, under the towpath bridge, is the rowing club from whence all the rowers set out.

Within  minutes we were able to see the first landmark, close to Freemans Meadow Lock: Leicester City Football Club stadium.

The lock itself took longer than expected as the preceding boat had left both top gates open and one set of paddles, all of which had to be closed before we could start to empty it. At all the locks today we had help - of varying sorts but all showing a keen interesting seeing how a lock works. here a man was very helpful, especially as it meant crossing from one side to another several times!

This towpath marks one of the many points at which the Soar enters or leaves the navigation.

From here to Kings Lock the river is very twisty and the extensive unmanaged vegetation frequently blocking the view ahead. This stretched Mike's shoulder muscles and by the end of the day they were somewhat 'exercised'. 

St Mary's Mill Lock saw us with a couple of young parents with a very young girl. They were fascinated and after a bit of encouragement, Ada helped push the gates, at one point all on her own. Parents enjoyed taking photos of the moments.

At the next lock a chap emerged from the grounds on the offside, very keen to assist but needing to be given instruction! As we pulled away there was almost a competition between him and another family with two small children to close the gates! If you have a good magnifying glass, or an exceptional eye, you will see that they managed to share the task very amicably and parents again recording the experience with their phones!

Just before Kings Lock the River Soar left us to a quieter canal navigation (or perhaps we should say join, as we have been travelling upstream)

As we arrived at the lock Mike secretly hoped that we could indulge in chilled medication from the long established year round tea room at the former lock keeper's cottage. Alas, as soon as he reached the front door the sign indicated that they close at 3 on Sundays . . . 

Unexpectedly there was a useful mooring space just beyond the end of the lock landing and we took this as a sign that we should see this as the rightful end pof today's cruise!

3.25 Miles - 4 Locks

Castle Gardens

A day off was planned as we calculated that we had advanced on our timetable enough to grant ourselves this luxury. Compared with the rest of the week, today was a lie-in! We did intend to do some food shopping and possibly wander around  the city centre shops. However, a chap from another boat on the mooring (overstaying on the grounds that he is still trying to fix his boat's batteries) knocked on our roof. We had just started the engine so that we could do a load in the washing machine. However, he asked if we leaving and could we give him a lift to the opposite side - he thought that the exit from Friars Mill was locked for the weekend and he needed to get away to a boat moving job, taking a boat from Kilby Bridge to Leighton Buzzard in three days.

We had also planned to attempt to move up to Castle Gardens as it is more convenient for walking to the cathedral tomorrow. So we agreed to set off in a short while (Christine was still in the bathroom!) He assured us that his mate on a boat already at Castle Gardens had said that there was room for us. If this failed we could always moor on the opposite side - not as secure but we have not had any problems there in the past.

However, when we were within sight of the pontoon it was clear that a small cruiser was occupying at least two spaces, but our passenger said that it was OK, he would move it up as the owner would not mind. Once that was done we were able to come alongside. In reality there was room for all of us!

At this point we realised why the chap had not been able to exit from Friars Mill - he does not have a Watermate Key, the one used for all the CaRT public facilities! Could we please let him out? We also discovered that all the other boats here were cheerfully overstaying the signposted 2 day limit!

Once the washing machine cycle was complete we locked up and went across the footbridge to a Tesco Superstore. We did not have a long list as we plan to call at Lidl tomorrow (as we did back in May) so that any fresh good we get remain fresh as long as possible. There are no obvious places for a top up in the next week unless we make a detour. We had heard that many supermarkets were having problems keeping chilled and frozen goods cool enough and this proved no exception we any shelves empty of covered over. We soon realised that those in the know just dive behind the screens to reach out for what they wanted! We quickly joined the 'in the knows'.

The afternoon was quite hot but a fresh breeze meant that we did not melt as readily as yesterday! Nevertheless, we opted out of walking into the city centre!

Friars Mill, Leicester

Today's Navigation : River Soar

The early start has become the norm in this very hot spell. It still takes us a couple of hours to wake properly, have a mug of tea, wash, dress and have breakfast as well as setting out all the items needed at the stern deck such as tiller and lock keys. 

It was really very pleasant as we unmoored around 7.30 - the river here has many bends, soe easier then others. Much of the sky still had a thin layer of cloud which very soon gave way to clear blue and, as a result, soaring temperatures.

We had a run of nearly 40 minutes before our first lock at Thurmaston. This pleasant foot bridge, which almost always seems to have walkers crossing over to the near by country park, is just before the boatyard and lock.

Most of the locks here have extended lock landing which are, increasingly this year, being treated as a good mooring spot, not always just overnight!

We have taken this year to opening the paddles on only one side of the lock as a default, crossing over only if the lock is unwilling to make a level. At Thurmaston we were close to leaving when a wide beam boat arrived (which of course needed both gates. This was rather handy as we could leave with the effort of closing top gates!

The entrance to Leicester Marina is on a very sharp bend. Once, the marina listed a range of services but now it seems  not to encourage passing trade, We think that the wide beam must have come out of here.

Bankside vegetation is becoming an increasing problem, There are often more stoppage notices about fallen trees or branches in the summer than in the winter. Here, two on opposite sides almost join hands (leaves) to make boat passage impossible. Certainly a wide beam would have to push its way through, Somewhere today, some piece of an overhanging tree has pulled out a small part of a window rubber. As we write, that is still on the to do list . . .

Here's another one, just in case you might be thinking we exaggerate the frequency!

At Birstall Lock a gentleman out walking made the mistake of showing an interest in how locks work. Mike soon put him to the task! As it was all new to him, he seemed very pleased to 'have a go'. The advantage for us was that we could ask him to close up after we had passed through. That's our usual rate of charge for a lock seminar!

At the large outdoor activity centre beside Loughborough Road Bridge, an instructor was preparing craft for today's visitors - she said that they had were expecting 150 children this morning!

As we approached Belgrave Lock we had an unusually good view of the Space Centre building. There is only a very short distance where it is fully visible and quickly goes out of sight if the boat-riding philographer is not prepared.

We were approaching Belgrave Lock with a little trepidation as there have been a couple of Notices regarding problems with a ground paddle and that opening a gate 'may be a two person task'. As we arrived a boat was already sitting in the lock with not much visible activity. In fact the single hander was making a repair (successful)  to the control panel (especially the engine stop facility) He was also waiting for another boat as they had been lock sharing for a couple of days. He knew that they were held up with the usual prop catch below Lime Kiln (we had a bad one back in May) Eventually, with his repair installed and the other boat nowhere to be seen, he suggested that he descend and wait on the lock landing. This would allow us to come up.

As soon as the water level started to drop we could see that the issue was a very leaky ground paddle at the top gates which, with fairly watertight bottom gates, would make opening a bottom gate quite hard. But at that moment the other boat could be seen fast approaching so we agreed to refill and let them catch up. Neither boat had seen the Notices about the lock. Mike's cunning plan was to ensure that there were others around when we were ready to come up! Of course, we were able to enter the already open gates.

The former Wolsey chimney is a 'just photo' landmark, especially with the sky like today. So, even if you have seen it before, tough!

Next to be tackled was the infamous Lime Kiln Lock. (Both of the descending boats had had a prop to clear) We planned a very careful approach, with a former mill a clear landmark to warn of our proximity. We just drifted through the worst patches. We caught nothing, thankfully, and were prematurely smug as we came to use the very new Boater Facilities just 100m above the lock Memory Lane Wharf.

There is room for two boats to come alongside and we chose the nearer as it would position our water inlet close to the single water point. Alas, although this is a good facility, it seems that no-one thought of dredging alongside! With there having been a water level issue recently in this and the next pound, we could not get close enough to the edge to jump off., 

In beginning then to move to the other space we discovered that we had now caught something serious around the prop, but had enough power (mostly human) to get around and start filling the water tank and making all the other disposals. It is a slooow tap!

After doing all the other chores Mike tackled the prop. Apart from the obligatory remains of a saree or two, the main catch was a piece of carpet. This proved very resistant to Mike's efforts, only finally conceding defeat after about 40 minutes. We then had a rest whilst the tank was still filling . . . 

We had arrived at Lime Kiln at 10:33 and we left at 12:24 . . . 

And so to North Lock, the last on our planned schedule for today. Again, a couple of chaps were keen to help which was really helpful as the landing above the lock is very high above the water level and difficult for re-boarding after closing gates.

Around a couple of bends, surrounded by a lot of new building, the Friars Mill pontoon mooring came into sight and we could plenty of room for us. Mike made his usual approach but just at that moment the wind turned into more than a breeze and uncontrollably pulled the bow back out towards the centre of the river. Although by this time he had hold of the centre line, standing on the pontoon. The strength of the wind was too much for him and so he had to get back on at the stern (still firmly wedged onto the pontoon) to try again.

A second approach was made with a different tactic, to secure a bow line before bringing the stern in. Christine was soon able to throw the line over a mooring cleat and make fast to the t-bar on the boat. Alas, this came at the price of her beloved hat blowing off into the water!

However, Mike was then able to bring the stern in, judging its speed to make sure that the hat did not escape and he was able to lift it out with a pole just before reaching the pontoon.

Definitely enough excitement for today! Who said that canal cruising was a quiet and relacing experience?

6.8 Miles - 5 Locks