Hanging around Foxton….

Our Tesco delivery arrived on schedule yesterday. Well, almost all of it. Half way through placing the order I lost the internet connection (it’s been pretty slow around here anyway), and when I got back on I managed to put the dog food on a different order, to be delivered up in Yorkshire! It’s a good job I didn’t confirm it, George and Christine would have been surprised to receive a couple of dozen cans of Pedigree Chum and a box of Shapes. They haven’t got a dog!
The upshot was I had to cancel that order, and place another for delivery tomorrow.

Where’s this lot goin’ to go, then?

It’s amazing how we always seem to get it away, somewhere.

I’ve also been in touch with a local(ish) coal merchant, who’ll deliver to Black Horse Bridge tomorrow as well. So all’s well that ends well.

Being as we’re here moored next to Sue and Vic on No Problem, we’ve joined Sue, Lucy and Meg II on their long walks around the surrounding countryside. Sue has one of these GPS thingies, so it’s (almost) impossible to get lost. I’m so impressed, in fact, that I got one myself off Ebay at the weekend. But I’ll have to wait till the end of the month to have a play, as it’s being delivered to Dad’s.

The canal is very quiet, hardly a moving boat to be seen, so it was just our luck that a returning Canaltime boat wanted to go through the new swing bridge just as we arrived to cross.

Waiting for the swing bridge.
One of the pulleywheels from the top of the inclined plane, now an exhibit near the visitors car park.
Over the fields
Some of the sheep can be quite territorial…..
Tomorrow we head towards Foxton, just ½ mile or so, for our deliveries, then we’re turning round and chugging up the arm to Union Wharf and Market Harborough again. Plan is to overnight there, then come back down to find No Problem for the weekend. Then next week to head up the locks on to the summit for a spell. A lot depends on the weather, of course. We can’t go further south than Watford Locks as they’re closed for maintenance as part of the Winter Stoppage Program.

Locks 0, miles 3

A place in the country..

We had an uninterrupted night on the pontoon moorings in Union Wharf. A few bangs and whistles early on in the evening, but it quietened down later on. We’re lucky in that Meg doesn’t bother about fireworks. Poor old Bruno used to be a quivering jelly every night at this time of year.

I took Meg for a walk this morning, picked up a paper on the way back, then went to the manager’s office to square up for our overnight stay. At £5.50 including electric hookup, it’s got to be the cheapest serviced mooring spot on the network. TV reception is terrible though, and the only chance of getting a satellite signal would be from the moorings directly below the office.

The wind picked up as predicted last night. I was out at 9 o’clock, balancing on the gunwale (the finger pontoons are only about 15’ long), moving our centre line from the roof ring to a fitting on the hull. As this was the only tether forward, the bow was swinging from side to side, making the boat list and causing the most appalling creaking noises as the rope, passing through the fairlead, tightened then slackened. Dropping the fixing point to deck level stopped the row.

This morning wasn’t as wet as expected, though. We set off for our early walk in the rain, but it soon stopped. Then we had a sharp shower as we were topping off the water tank prior to leaving. The rest of the short trip was dry.

More Autumn colour
Sedgley’s Bridge, no. 9
We only travelled 2½ miles, to an out of the way spot I’d noticed on the way up. We’ll stay here for the rest of the weekend, then back to Foxton and our Tesco delivery at Black Horse Bridge on Monday morning.

Locks 0, miles 2½.

A steady few days…

We’ve spent the last few days at Foxton, just down from the Harboro’ Arm Junction. The weather hasn’t been too bad, Sue and I have had the dogs out on long walks most days around the countryside.
It’s really very pleasant around here, and the footpaths are well marked, if a bit muddy sometimes.

Around Foxton
Caution, sheep crossing… Dusk at the pubs. Foxton Locks In on the left, Bridge 61 centre right.
Bedraggled Meg. But she enjoyed the walk. St Helens Church, Gumley
Foxton Lock Flight
Sculpture at the top of the flight
Mo and Vanessa on Balmaha arrived on Wednesday, so we’ve now got 3 Bloggers in a row.
No Problem, us and then Balmaha.

Noticed that Meg has got a sore paw this morning. It looks like a blister between 2 toes, but it isn’t making her limp. She got zapped on an electric fence yesterday, and it might be a burn from where the charge earthed. We’ll keep an eye on it. I’m sure there’ll be a vet around here if we need one.

We moved on down the arm today to Union Wharf, near Market Harborough. Needed to empty the loo tanks, and get a bit of shopping.
Sue and Vic came a short way with us, but stopped at Black Horse Bridge to meet a delivery from Tesco.

Through the new swing bridge at Foxton.
Autumn colours near Gallows Hill Bridge

We arrived at the wharf around 13:00, used the services and then arranged for a pontoon mooring overnight. There have been a few Canaltime boats out this afternoon, making a bit of space.

Union Wharf
Today has been fine and sunny, but the cool wind has steadily freshened. It’s supposed to be “brisk” tomorrow.

We’re only stopping here tonight. In the morning we’ll head out back down the arm, and find somewhere quiet for the weekend.

Locks 0, miles 5½

Good news for No Problem

Just another short hop today; 3 miles to Foxton.
The day started grey and damp, but brightened up considerably in the afternoon, with spells of watery sunshine.

Saddington Reservoir feeder near our mooring.

With only a short distance to go, we didn’t move off until gone 11, and had a very gentle meander along this winding, shallow stretch. With reed beds and overhanging trees, the 2 miles to Debdale Wharf are more like a river than a canal. I suppose that’s part of its charm.

Overgrown banks and reed beds.
We arrived at Foxton around 13:00, filled with water then moved back a bit onto the visitor moorings.

Foxton Visitor Mooring.

Then I went off to find out how No Problem had fared with it’s BSC inspection. The boat was moored below the locks, near the café, and both Sue and Vic were all smiles. Just a minor modification to the cabinetry in the galley for access to the gas pipe, everything else was fine. Considering the extent of the internal changes they made when they bought the boat, they’ve done well.

From Rainbow Bridge, No Problem on the right.
Harboro’ Arm Junction, the new swing bridge in the centre.
I left them to tidy up, and they reversed back to moor next to us later in the afternoon. A walk with the dogs took us till dusk.
Locks 0, miles 3

Hamilton gets a result, we have a short cruise, the dogs get a long walk.

Well that’s another month gone. We didn’t get beset by the undead on our quiet mooring over the weekend; it was all pretty boring really.
I had a couple of good long walks with Meg, one of which took me on the horse path over Saddington Tunnel, to where No Problem was moored. Had a cup of tea and a natter with Sue and Vic, and arranged to join them today, before heading back to Seyella.

Saturday’s weather was horrible, wet and windy for the most part, but yesterday wasn’t too bad. The canal level has risen by 4 or 5 inches. Had to time Megs afternoon walk so as not to coincide with the Brazilian Grand Prix. I think it was one of the most nerve jangling final races of the season I have ever watched. For those who were on Mars yesterday, Lewis Hamilton clinched the F1 World Championship by just 1 point, in the last couple of corners of the race.
What a way to end a season!
I felt a bit sorry for Felipe Massa, the Brazilian driver Hamilton had to beat. As he crossed the line in first position, he was sure he’d done enough to take the title. But Hamilton’s last minute gain of a place over Timo Glock gave him the 1 point needed to win.
Full report from ITV here.

As arranged, we moved the couple of miles to join Sue and Vic this morning. Just 10 minutes away from our mooring was Saddington Tunnel. In retrospect, I should have left stoking the fire till after we’d gone through…..

Heading to Saddington Tunnel
In the tunnel
The southern tunnel cutting
I’ve got a vague idea now what it must have been like for steam engine drivers in railway tunnels.

Why the long faces…?

Another 15 minutes and we saw No Problem ahead.
Pulling in just in front, we were greeted by the dogs Lucy and Meg.

Lucy and a pair of Megs

We took the dogs for a long walk over the fields to Kibworth Beauchamp, via Smeeton Westerby

Smeeton Westerby Church
I love the names of the villages around here. We’ve got a Gumley, too.

We’d not long settled down for the afternoon when Sue came to tell us they were moving back to Foxton today, right this minute. Something we’d said?, No, they’d got hold of a Boat Safety Examiner to meet up and check the boat out for it’s 4 yearly certificate. But it would be tomorrow. So they went up to the tunnel, winded and headed back up the canal.

Heading for an appointment with destiny….. Good Luck! I hope the examination is “No Problem”!
We’ll follow them up tomorrow, and either congratulate or commiserate as appropriate.

Locks 0, miles 2

More locks than miles, and a bit short of the wet stuff….

We had a quiet day at Kilby Bridge yesterday. A few jobs to do around the boat, a bit of reading, a bit of cleaning.

We pushed across the canal this morning, filled with water, and emptied the loo and rubbish before setting of at 09:45.

Watering at Kilby Bridge.
The locks come rapidly – the first after 20 minutes is the delightfully named Bumblebee Lock.

Bumblebee Lock
Most lock name's origins are obvious; local farms, villages, and landscape features are common. But every so often you come across one that defies explanation. Did one of the navvies get stung?

We made good time, even though all the locks were against us.

Turnover and Bottom Half Mile Locks
Lock Keepers house at Newton Top Lock near Newton Harcourt.

We had a spot of bother at Pywells Lock though. The pound above was low, the water draining through leaks in the top and bottom gates. BW are aware of the problem, there are signs asking that boaters ensure both sets of gates are closed when leaving the lock. The lack of traffic on this stretch (we’ve seen no moving boats for 2 days!) means that water hasn’t been moved down the locks, allowing the pound to drain off.

We ran aground just after clearing the lock, and I had to fetch 3 lockfulls of water down from the next pound up to get us afloat.

Going nowhere at Pywells Lock
Then, of course, the next pound up was a bit low, but just 1 extra chamber of water kept us off the bottom.




All the to-ing and fro-ing didn’t slow us down much, though, and we were able to moor up just past Ross Bridge at around 14:30.






Meg sets up camp on the towpath.
We’ll stop here for the weekend. It’s close enough to Fleckney for the shops, far enough away not to be too bothered by fireworks. I don’t think “Trick or Treaters” will bother us either! We’ll just have to watch out for restless spirits.

It’s pretty and remote on this stretch. The only roads cross at right angles, arriving and disappearing rapidly. And they’re not busy, anyway. The only intrusion is the railway, which (inevitably) follows the line of the canal for a couple of miles.

Leicestershire Landscape
The weather has been good, sunny and bright, but with a coolish breeze. The low sun causes problems when you’re heading south on water, though. It’s difficult to see where you’re going sometimes. But I'm not complaining!

Locks 12, miles 5

What a difference a day makes….

After a cold night, we woke up this morning to a hard frost shining in the sun from a blue sky.

Just after I’d stoked the fire!
I took Meg for a walk up the towpath, and took a couple of pictures on the way.

Autumn colours reflected near Bridge 100

Bridge 100
We were away from Gee’s Lock at 10:10, and had a short 20 minute cruise to the next, Whetstone Lock. After yesterday it was a pleasure chugging along in the warm sun.

Whetstone Lock
The water was overtopping the gates at both ends of the chamber, making it slow to empty but indicating that there is no shortage of water on this stretch. In fact a couple more of today’s locks were the same.

After Whetstone we swung round to head east, just south of the residential suburbs of Leicester. Passing through 2 more locks we arrived at Ervin’s Lock, and emerged properly into open countryside. From here, for miles, the canal runs through rolling countryside, with very little in the way of habitation.

Ervin’s Lock
Gemma, Donna and Gary pose for me at Ervin’s Lock
From here it is a short distance to Double Rail Lock and then Kilby Lock which is followed quickly by Kilby Bridge BW maintenance yard. We pulled both boats in to use the services here, then we moved across the cut to moor on the 48 hour VM, while Gary and Donna decided to take advantage of the fine weather and head on for another couple of hours. They are on a schedule; they have to be back in Tamworth in a few days. We’re going to hang around here till Friday.

NB Silhouette at Kilby Bridge.
We exchanged contact details and will look them up when we’re in their neck of the woods.

We lost the sun around 2, and the temperature took a nosedive. I reckon it’ll be another cold one tonight.

We’ve only seen 3 other boats today, 1 private, 1 Canaltime and Millstream, the 62 foot 8 berth hire boat from Sileby Mill. All were heading north. We may look at Millstream with a view to hiring it next autumn for Neil, Val, Wilmar and Eleanor when they come over from Canada. I don’t think all 6 of us will fit in Seyella!

Locks 6, miles 4

Meg visits the vet, and we all get wet.

Well, the day started well. A sharp overnight frost, but clear sunny skies. Not to last though. By noon the clouds had rolled in, the wind had picked up and it started to rain.
But first of all I took Meg up to Borrajo’s the vet in Birstall. Checked over and with boosters injected, she’s OK for another year. And she was really good, didn’t bother at all.

Yesterday afternoon a boat arrived at Birstall and moored a bit in front of us. I had a chat with the owners this morning, Gary, Donna and daughters Katy and Gemma are on a maiden voyage with NB Silhouette, from the builders (MCC) at Stenson to their home mooring at Tamworth. We agreed to travel together to share the locks (and the work), hoping that we’d get to Kilby Bridge by the end of the day.

But we were off a little later than ideal, at 10:40. We still made good time, even though most of the locks were against us, but with the weather closing in Kilby Bridge was not viable. So we decided to stop just above Gee’s Lock.

Leaving Birstall
Soar Valley Canoe Club HQ at Loughborough Road. I’ve paddled a few canoes from here as well…
Approaching Belgrave Lock, with the National Space Centre looking like an oversized chrysalis on the right. That’s going to be a mighty big moth…..

Castle Gardens secure moorings full up.
Freemans Lock and weir, with Leicester City Football Club to the right.

The trip through Leicester was uneventful apart from motoring through an oil slick between Lime Kiln and North Locks. I’d already been alerted to it by a chap on the towpath, and when we got there decided it was bad enough to warrant a call to BW. It appeared to be coming from a culvert under the road just below North Lock. Lee from the Environment Agency called later in the day for some more information, and promised to look into it. Apparently it’s not the first time, someone in one of the garage businesses in the Frog Island area is being careless (or criminal!).

I wouldn’t want to cruise this section when the river is high. There are a few large weirs that have minimal protection for boats.
Wet and cold, we arrived at Gee’s Lock just after 3:30, and tied up on the end of the lock landing. That’ll do for today, thankyou. I hope the weather is kinder tomorrow!

Gee’s Lock. Done for the day.

Locks 10. YES, 10! Miles 7¾