Still uncertain about Mike's recovery, our plan today was to do a minimum of three locks, ideally five and super optimistically eight to take us into Leicester and its Straight Mile.
The day began brightly as can be seen in this picture of our very quiet overnight mooring.
Unfortunately we were heading almost directly away from the sun and so we could not often get any 'proper' pictures when underway.
This was really a photo for our reference library of a winding hole but it does show the bright blue sky rather nicely!
As we set off we suspected that a another boat was on is way down as we could see a definite and short lived rise in the flow rate. Noting appeared as we arrived at the first lock and set about preparing it. Hooray, before we could actually descend we could see a boat just coming around a far bend. We are not normally fussed about sharing or not sharing but today lock companions would be appreciated. Alas, after starting tom help us they revealed that were actually in a pair with another boat following on behind. So the remaining locks we had to do just with our own resources - or those we could recruit!
Someone has recently installed some potentially attractive raised beds alongside Whetstone Lane Lock. Let's hope that some of the keen gardeners amongst the volunteers are able to keep it looking attractive. In days gone by, many lock keepers prided themselves on their lock side plots, competing with others on the same canal for Best Lock.
Beyond this lock are the remains of a bridge on the former Great Central Railway Line which, at a time, was an important travel link in this part of the country, offering some of the best and fastest journeys into London. Alas it closed in 1960 as part of the rationalisations of the network, just at a time when road traffic was becoming ever more popular. Some parts have been re-incorporated into the modern network and the section through Loughborough operates as a heritage railway. Here the track bed has become a popular cycle and foot path. We will meet the line again later today!
We were delighted at one lock to find a young couple out walking their dog who took an interest in how locks work. We managed to inveigle the man into doing all the work at this lock, top and bottom. (He did not take a lot of persuasion!) His partner was very interested in the history and today's operations.
King's Lock is where we first meet some direct connection with the River Soar that has not been far away for a while. One clue is the navigation warning board that indicates that the next section may flood at times.
Here is where part of the river water joins in, although the rest continues an independent channel alongside. We felt we were doing rather well and so opted to continue on into the city even if that meant a late-ish lunch
It's that railway again!
We were looking forward to seeing a feature at Aylestone Mill Lock that we remembered from our. previous passages through. This is how it looked in 2021.
Alas, we do not know what has happened but this is how it looks today.
Much of the canal along this next part, was at one time heavily industrialised. St Mary's Mill Lock is so named on account of the nearby factory mill. Some form of mill has been here since medieval times but by 1900, the OS Map indicates and India Rubber works. The John Bull Rubber Company tyre making business, founded in 1906, became part of Dunlop until the 1970s. Sadly, this was not the company that made the John Bull Printing Outfits, beloved of many children in the 1920s to 1950s. That came from the Charter Stamp Company in London and satisfied the interests of those youngsters who could not afford another product from the same company, the Adana Printing Press (see)
And finally to our eighth lock for today: Freeman's Meadow Lock, well known for being adjacent to an intimidating looking weir. In normal flow condition as there is little water over the crest of the weir and little danger of boats being pulled towards it from the lock approach. Nevertheless the row of protective dolphins is reassuring!
Alongside the lock stands the Leicester City Football Club ground. Sadly they are about to be demoted to EFL League One from the Championship, a far cry from their famous FA Cup Final victory of 2021. So much for naming the stadium King Power (after its sponsor, a Thai retail travel company)
We continued only a short distance to moor at an excellent set of bollards just after towpath bridge over the Old River Soar, which maintains its own identity until north of the city.
A busy rowing club is based just around the corner - we saw plenty of craft out with their crews (from 1 to 8) practising on the Straight Mile both this afternoon and tomorrow morning.
After a late launch and a recuperation we did what we moored here specially to do - to do a major restock of our food stores from Lidl, a few minutes walk away from Upperton Bridge. Opposite the supermarket is the repurposed former Grand Central Railway Wagon Repair Shop. Built in late 19C, it fuelled a major expansion of the company into London, with a consequential growth in the transport of goods from the manufacturing companies around Leicester. The site was a substantial range of buildings, workshops of many different trades. Most have now been demolished, giving way to the major expansion of student accommodation in this part of the city - de Montfort Uni is nearby. However, this one building survives.
5.0 Miles - 8 Locks
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