Looking across to the marina entrance (just right of centre) this morning
Backing out from our berth
Just around the corner from the marina entrance is Pillings Lock, now in use for the winter season. Not a lot of point though at the moment, I opened the gates at the “lower” end with the upper gates still partially open. The river is on a level with the canal section.
Pillings Lock and weir
Just a few minutes further upstream ands we were at Barrow Deep Lock. The lock was full so I had to empty it before we could go up, and both top gates were left open as well. This is one of my pet hates, but on such a lovely day what’s the point of getting annoyed. In fact all the locks today, apart from Cossington, were left in the same condition. Ah well.
Meg and Mags waiting for Barrow Deep Lock to fill.
The next stretch of river to Mountsorrel is around 2 miles, the longest pound on today’s cruise. Time for a brew, then.
Someone’s a keen gardener.
Contemplation at the water side.
This is what autumn cruising is all about. Blue skies, little wind and hardly any traffic. In fact we’ve only seen one other boat on the move all day.
Heading towards Sileby
We’re not the only ones enjoying the water……
Sileby Mill and boatyard look fine in the sunshine.
St Mary’s, Sileby
Cossington Lock was set in our favour, the only one today. Approaching the lock the mill stream appears under the arched bridge on the left, the lock is to the right.
Cossington Weir
Above Cossington Lock the navigation follows the old course of the River Wreake. The Soar makes a meandering route from Thurmaston to get here, it was obviously easier to follow the smaller river.
On the Wreake towards Junction Lock
Above Junction Lock the channel is essentially artificial all the way to Thurmaston, The Melton Mowbray Navigation coming in below Bridge 20a, Wreake End Footbridge. This river navigation once carried boats up to Melton, then connected to The Oakham Canal, crossing from Leicestershire into the county of Rutland. Basically rural navigations carrying agricultural produce, they were early victims of the move to railway transport. The Oakham closed in 1841, The Melton lasted a bit longer till 1877.
We pulled in before the old junction, not far above Junction Lock.
Moored near Junction Lock
A bit of a contrast to our mooring for the last 4 nights…..
Thanks Carol, Pip and Nev for the kind comments about the misty pictures. Here’s another which I like but didn’t make the final cut the first time around….
Locks 6, miles 6.
2 comments:
Hi Geoff and Mags, Always enjoy looking at that lovely garden you posted a picture of, everytime we go past they always seem to be working on it! Enjoy your trip to Birstall.
Doug
It certainly looks superb. I wonder if they spend so much time keeping it that way they never get a chance to sit and enjoy it! Or maybe it's the maintenance they enjoy.....
Keep well.
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