Foxton

Today's Canal : Grand Union Leicester Branch

Although still quite chilly, most of today was bright and sunny. As soon as we set off we passed through Welford Junction for the third time on this trip. At this stage grey clouds dominated over the sunshine.

However, by the time we passed the entrance to North Kilworth Marina, blue skies were much in evuidence.

Between the marina and the wharf we passed this very short boat. It seems top be cultivating a garden around its waterline on a long fender!

We had thought about stopping North Kilworth Wharf to fill up our fuel tank as it advertises diesel. Whilst it has a pump it has a new new sign No Diesel. Perhaps they only have sufficient for their small hire fleet as the sign does look new and temporary. Just as well we were not in urgent need!

The canalside vegetation gradually crowded in as we approach Husbands Bosworth Tunnel.

We were followed into the tunnel by another boat with perhaps the brightest bow light we have ever encountered. It would be rather unpleasant if steering an oncoming boat. As it was, just the briefest glances backwards left Mike dazzled for some time. Fortunately the tunnel is wide and straight.

The tunnels around here seem now to be giving much more realistic transit times and again we emerged right on schedule.

Christine is very insistent that we show just how abundant the white May blossom is at the moment - so a double dose!

Someone had kindly provided a herb box on the towpath - there was no indication of who the benefactor was.

This house on a slight hill top was visible for some distance. We took a photo hoping that it might turn out to be somewhere with a history but we later discovered that it is quite modern!

This pair of swans looks as if they are preparing to be a family very soon. How many cygnets will they have and how many will survive until next spring?

We had made better progress this morning than expected and so decided that we would attempt to descend the famous Foxton Locks today, so long as there was no lengthy queue. On the final run in to the lock landing we passed this bronze statue of Dolly a symbol of the  once ubiquitous means of haling goods along the canal. As was the practice in the times, young boys were expected to work from an early age, frequently as the lead for the boat horse.

When we reached the top lock there was not a single boat waiting! When Christine went to book in with the lock keepers she was told that we could go in immediately but would have to wait at the middle passing pound for a group of three that had just set off from the bottom. (Another boat that arrived whilst we were in the top lock was not so lucky as there is only room for one boat in the passing pound and they would have to wait for the upcoming boats to clear the top section) Alongside the top lock is another bronze statue of former canal life.

There was a good crew on - three for each half staircase. As we had the top half to ourselves we had plenty of help and came down very quickly. 

One of the volunteers pulled us firmly to the bank in the central pound so that the up boats could pass across without stopping. Here came the first and the other two followed in quick succession.

Overall we had just under half an hour to wait before we recommenced our descent.

From the top of this section there is an excellent view down to the bottom level - helped by the bright sunshine! We left the bottom lock just over an hour and a half from arriving at the top.

At the junction below the flight we turned sharp right towards Market Harborough. Before going any further we pulled in to avail ourselves of the elsan disposal facility. When we set off again Christine opted to do the swing bridge (so long as Mike attended to unlocking it!) leaving him to tackle the awkward manoeuvre to pass through the bridge hole.

In the event there were three willing volunteers taking photos of themselves on the bridge who happily opened and closed the bridge for us.

Our plans for the next few days are based on the need to have a good internet signal as Christine has a Zoom meeting just after lunch tomorrow. We were concerned to ensure we moored in the right place after having had two stops with almost no signal at all. We also have scheduled a Saturday supermarket shop in Market Harborough and possibly church in town on Sunday. The outcome of our deliberations is that we moored for lunch at the first available visitor mooring after the swing bridge. Having found that at least one phone network offered an adequate signal (at least today!) we stayed here for the rest of the day. We will possibly take a look at the Canal Museum alongside the locks and stay at least until after the Zoom has completed. We may then move closer to the town and proceed as planned thereafter. In any event, our tentative trip plan has the flexibility of a few spare days when we do not have to move at all. Any canal trip over four weeks rarely keeps entirely to plan although we have not fared too badly for the first week.

8.1 Miles - 10 Locks