We only came north from Foxton Junction to find an overnight mooring rather than stay closer to the locks. We went through Leicester and down the Soar last year so will be looking elsewhere for the next part of our journey, However, it is still uncertain . . .
Our overnight mooring was very pretty although it was somewhat incongruous to see how close the 'wild' water edge was to a carefully manicured wide towpath.
The step footbridge close to where we moored appeared to be a re-build - the original footings were much wider but the narrow upstand was well connected to the section beneath it. However, a closer look at the offside showed that when it was changed, the original structure was cut right back to just about 75mm above the waterline. A layer was then added in new bricks to the full width before completing the replacement with just the steps. The older footing is nit visible above the ground on the towpath side.
The winding hole proved to be very large and we managed to turn about without touching either side.
At this bridge the overhanging vegetation almost completely obscured the way ahead. Fortunately nothing was coming.
Vagabond II runs short trips from just below the Foxton Locks - this site is one of the busiest for onlookers on the entire network.
The first Vagabond seems to have been retired to a comfortable rest home beside the first bridge. (It is not called I as they did not know that there was to be a II at the time it was named!)
On the towpath below the locks is this sign. We were rather bemused as it seems to indicate three incompatible and exclusive purposes - but which one should it be? Is it only a service mooring (presumably for the water point) or is it exclusive for boats queuing for the locks? In either case, how come it is possible to stay for a whole day - but without charge?
Two other boats were already queued and when Christine first went to check with the lock keeper it seemed as if we would all be going up straight away. However, by the time the other two had made their way into the lock a further check indicated that things had changed and we needed to wait below the flight until a boat that had been allowed down to the passing pound in the middle had left the flight. (we did not take many pictures in the flight as the sky was too grey and we had better ones on the way down)
After about an hour it was our turn but we were also expected to wait in the middle as the rest of the next 'down' convoy of three boats also passed through. As expected this was only a 45 minute wait but it did give us a chance to have lunch which we finished just in time to take our turn in completing the flight.
As there are always postings on social media about the shortcomings of volunteer lock keepers, it is perhaps worth saying that we found all five on today (one team in the morning and another in the afternoon) were very helpful, friendly and only operated the locks when it was clear that that was what we wanted. They are, however, also there to regulate the traffic and that cannot always be an easy task. Both of today's teams are regulars and have been doing this for a number of years.
Just after we left the locks and beyond the first bridge we suddenly saw nb Oleanna, one of the blogs we follow and is on the list to the right of this page. We had forgotten that their latest blog had indicated that they would be waiting here for a day or so for family to call by. Yes, I know we read it but we don't always remember, do we?
Anyway, we made a quick stop alongside and just for once there were no other boats for some time. As we have never met face-to-face (we keep missing by tiny margins) it was good to have a chat. I|t is not every day that you meet a working theatre designer! (If you want to know what she is doing you will just have to read Pip's blog) However, inevitably another boat did arrive and want to pass so we had to bid farewell, just as Tilly was about to pounce (or so she thought) on an unsuspecting bird. Fortunately the bird had seen Tilly long before!
Just after we set off again Mike saw what he initially thought was a cloud of smoke drifting across the canal and fields just ahead of us - until he felt the rain falling, that is! However it only lasted for a few moments so the reservoirs will not be instantly re-filled, alas.
The rest of the afternoon was a plain level cruise, interrupted only by passing through Market Bosworth tunnel. At times the weather was overcast with some dampness at times, but at others sunshine prevailed and it was almost too warm once more.
We finally called a halt at the familiar moorings at Welford Junction where we can expect to get a good tv signal. However, a couple of boats were already there using most of the fixed mooring rings. We pulled at the nearer end of the longish stretch but found that hammering in pins needed rather more effort than we would have liked to have consumed!
12.3 Miles - 10 Locks
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