Kilby Bridge

Today's Canal : Grand Union Leicester Branch

The weather forecast for today, as for a lot of the canal network judging by other folk's blogs - was not pleasant reading. The expectation was that each hour period would have some sunshine and some rain - the latter high probability - and cold and quite breezy. In each respect that forecast was quite correct. What it did not anticipate was just how heavy the rain showers would be and, more significant, that many would bring very unpleasant hail!

When we set off we were over complacent! In past few days, similar forecasts had brought quite light showers. Our overnight mooring, whilst quite close to the main railway line between Market Harborough and Leicester, did not really disturb us day or night. Sun was shining and plenty of blue patches were showing through.

e had about a mile and a half to the top of today's lock flight. One landmark we were looking out for was Wistow Church, clearly visible across a couple of bright yellow fields. By now we had had a taste of the showers - and some very dark clouds.

As we arrived at the top lock we saw that there was a boat just starting to come up - turned out that it was the boat we had moored next to last night who had talked to us about the electrical problems they were having. They were quite concerned as several phone calls had drawn a blank in finding help. We asked for an update and it seemed that all was now well. All that had been needed was to disconnect the system from its power source and let it do a proper reset! Same as our heater problem . . . 

Really heavy rain was now with us and it quickly turned to hail. By the time we had descended the lock it was very uncomfortable and, with no more traffic in the offing we tied to the lower lock landing until it blew over.

During this rain storm our camera phone (not a live phone but an earlier one we use for just this purpose) seemed to have suffered from moisture despite being kept in a pocket and the consequence can be seen in the above photo - everywhere as if it was bathed in mist! Hence no further pictures.

One hail storm, four or five locks down, and covered us in white - the photo from Christine' s phone (safely kept inside!) barely does justice to the extent.

After passing through the Half Mile Pound and the aptly named Bottom Half Mile Lock, we approached the sixth of seven locks planned for today - we aimed to moor up at Kilby Bridge where we should find a full range of facilities, water being a priority.

As we neared the top lock landing the ground just before looked a little insecure especially after  all the hail so we went as close to the lock as we could, thinking this looked safer. Mike picked out a spot to step off and did so gingerly - but, in the event, not spotting either a pothole or other hazard. As soon as he was on the bank his feet slipped from under him and he was flat on his back with his feet in the water! He was able to get back up again and, apart from feeling a little shaken, thought that there was no real damage. Limping only a little he was able to work our boat through the last two locks of the day.

It was by now well after 2 o'clock and we were keen on lunch so we stopped at the next available mooring location just short of Kilby Bridge.

Alas, during the break in cruising it soon became apparent that a little more damage had been done than first seemed to be the case. Right ankle and calf muscle, together with left wrist, all started to complain. Indeed, you could call it painful even after the application of diclofenac gel - along with plenty of tlc.

We both woke around 3 am with lots of Plan B 's buzzing around. At this stage - everything feels a disaster in the middle of the night! - Mike was convinced that at least his ankle, and possibly his wrist, had been fractured. Remember, that this ankle was really and truly damaged in 2007 with it taking many weeks of less than comfortable recovery. The ankle has so many steel pins left in it that it ought to have been immune to any unnatural forces being applied to it.

Over a cup of tea - the best comfort for any troubles - Mike consulted NHS 111 Online. After entering answers to many questions (was I under 5?), had I broken the skin? all that it could suggest was that he make an appointment at Loughborough Urgent Care Centre, 22 miles away! It did give Leicester Hospital A&E as a backup, but expect quite a wait! We guessed that walking wounded do not figure after triage. The was no obvious way, safe a long taxi ride, to get to Loughborough and although A&E was much closer public transport going into the city centre and then back out to the outskirts. Well, it was no use trying to make a decision at this stage and we would be better to see how things felt in the morning.

Oh, and the teaser we left you with at the end of yesterday's blog about the radiator key? We never did find it, despite recalling seeing it recently, but in the process discovered (yet again) that they need a flat screwdriver and that the stubby one in the toolbox had been bought especially for this task after the last time we has a radiator problem! With the radiators all bled and the header tank topped up, we were again being heated properly!

3.2 Miles - 7 Locks