Lazy days in Leicestershire

We've had a lazy few days which we promised ourselves and enjoyed the peaceful summit level of the Leicester Line, Foxton Locks and now we find ourselves at Kilby Bridge, psyching ourselves up for the run through Leicester tomorrow. 

The weather has been good for the last few days, so Sunday morning, after a good old 'Full English' I wandered off into Yelvertoft to get supplies and Louise cracked on with some washing. We slackened the lines around midday and headed off towards Welford Junction. There was quite a lot of boat activity, mainly from folks enjoying a weekend out of Yelvertoft Marina, but it was really noticeable how shallow the summit pound is, not really due to water levels, but the requirement for dredging. Nearly every time we passed an oncoming boat, we tipped, despite slowing right down and staying towards the middle as much as possible.

Lovely day for cruising

She can't get enough of steering now

Despite the sign, we saw no evidence of dredging, so maybe they're getting prepared ?? Progress was somewhat slow, but it didn't really matter in the lovely surroundings. 

We eventually reached North Kilworth where it was all a bit tight due to moored boats. We passed the  working pair of Nutfield and Raymond. We wondered whether they'd just given up due to the depth of water. 

The marina at North Kilworth is still under construction, but it's slow going. We did wonder if there is a need for such another large marina along here, attractive as it is location wise, but already with Crick and Yelvertoft in this area, will it start a moorings price war ?

We passed through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel before mooring up for the night.

Yesterday we were in no rush to get away. Our only plan was to get down Foxton Locks at some point. We arrived around 10.45am but had a bit of a wait as there was a single boat already coming up the flight. I've filmed the decent on the GoPro camera, so once we get back home, hopefully I'll be able to edit it. 

It was good to see nb Swift above the lock with groups of school children being shown around, learning about how working boat families lived, how cargo was stored and transported and how different materials float. I hung around on the fringes and listened in and the talks were really excellent. The kids seemed to enjoy it too. 

We had the assistance of a volunteer lockie all the way down the flight and it took the standard 45 minutes to reach the bottom. We moored up and then it was lunch in Bridge 61. We raised a glass to Louise's Dad who sadly passed away six years ago and would have loved this place. We had some light entertainment after lunch as we ourselves gongoozled. 

Nb 'The Admiral' appears from Debdale and starts to go left towards Market Harborough. Hang on, there's a swing bridge. A quick look at the map book from the steerer to check said swing bridge should be there. Oh yes so it should - must have missed that. Into reverse and stop just short...that was lucky. Off jumps a chap from the boat. He walks across the bridge to open it. Hmm it won't, so back to the boat. Another check of the book doesn't give any clues, so back across the bridge. It still won't open, so back to the boat and eventually finds a key. Back across the bridge (I'm getting tired just watching). Eventually he cracks the code, by turning the key and hey presto it opens. 

Through the boat begins to go. He's not is he? Surely not? He's never going to shut the bridge into the boat is he? Oh yes he is !!! Bang it goes. Onlookers in the beer garden are rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Never has a lunchtime snack been so exciting. He opens the bridge again and finally the boat gets through. Right then, just shut the bridge and remove the key. Simple you'd think? No, not for this poor guy. He looks at it, scratches his head, pulls on the bridge handle, looks again before a passing member of the public comes to the rescue. 

Now how do I get that bloody key out  

Off they go merrily on their way and we returned to the boat to find we'd had visitors whilst we'd been in the pub with this left on the back deck for us !! 

We moved on a mile or so to one of our favourite moorings just beyond Debdale Wharf where we moored in amongst the reeds. 

Today we have moved down to Kilby Bridge. We shared most of the journey with nb Cheviot who were very grateful of our offer to share locks. They appeared after we had descended Kibworth Top Lock, so we waited for them at the next one. They were very unsure as this was their first double lock on their own and were planning to get through Leicester today !! We were sorry to hear that the boatyard they had hired from had told them not to stop in Leicester. As I've posted before, we've never had a problem, but it seems that stigma remains. Watch me eat my words tomorrow when we go through. As it happens they too have stopped at Kilby Bridge, so we may see more of them tomorrow. 

Approaching Saddington Tunnel 

This afternoon we have welcomed friends Chris and Frances on board for a catch up. They live not far away and had just come from a meeting with their boat builders where they have finalised plans for their new boat. Exciting times ahead for them and I think we are looking forward to it nearly as much as they are, especially as they'll be mooring it at Mercia with us too.