Friday 29th June 2018

We left Kilby Bridge at 9.20 and had only travelled for 20 mins when we reached the first lock and were met by CRT ( canal and river trust ) workers who were running water down from 7 locks away as the levels were so low nearer to Leicester. They said we would be delayed about 45 mins. So time to put Graham to work.

I did clean the side of the boat. Everything is very dusty as there has been no rain for weeks. We thought that the boat we had shared a lock with yesterday would catch us up but maybe they decided to stay were they were for the day. We were finally allowed to get going.

We commented that no boats were coming in the opposite direction. After 7 locks we discovered why. They had all been told to wait until we came through. There were 8 boats in the queue!

We stopped for lunch before tackling the final 5 of the day. I have been doing all the paddles as I’m not strong enough to hold the boat still when we are the sole boat in a double lock. Still after today there is a spell of single locks. We passed a wedding venue and met the cousin of the bride getting married tomorrow. What fantastic weather.

We’ll be at Market Harborough tomorrow ready for the first laundrette visit of the hols!

Thursday 28th June 2018

After an excellent Indian meal last night we were off by 8.10 this morning heading south out of Leicester. It is so hot during the day that it is good to get going as soon as possible. We had heard such horror stories about mooring in Leicester that we were pleasantly surprised. We wouldn’t like to leave the boat for a long time without a secure mooring, but the secure moorings we had were absolutely fine.

Another football ground to cross off the list.

At Kings lock a water snake decided to accompany us. However Graham managed to take a photo as it attempted to leave the lock once we had risen up.

We managed to share lots of the double locks with a boat with 4 crew so we quickly made progress. Canal and River Trust were repairing the bank at a very tricky point and larger boats were having to be pulled under the beam from the work boat and avoid hitting the worker in the water. A very precarious position in which to be working.

We stopped at 2.30 and are moored at Kilby Bridge. I believe that there is a football match to watch tonight!

Wednesday 27th June 2018

Really surprised to see clouds this morning when we woke. It was also much cooler than yesterday although the sun came out during the morning and we have had another lovely day.

Walked through Leicester to catch the bus to the National Space Centre. A model of the first man to walk in space greeted us together with the tower housing rockets of different eras.

The centre was interesting especially a film about the beginning of life. There were, however, many school groups visiting and for many of them the aim seemed to be to run around screaming and bang as many buttons as possible to see if anything happened to the exhibit. Some were out of order and seeing the treatment which they were receiving we were not surprised! I heard one boy say “ I’m going to lie on a bench” The highlight of his visit.

Next door was the Abbey Mills pumping works with big beam engines and a good little exhibition about life through the years and how household equipment has changed. The engines were most impressive and are beautifully maintained but don’t work now.

As we left the site I thought that this photo was good. An old steam driven rock crusher framed by the space rocket housing. How things have changed.

Tomorrow we head south out of Leicester on the Leicester branch of the Grand Union Canal.

Tuesday 26th June 2018

Today’s blog is dedicated to Linda S. The jabs must have worked as we are still alive!

Woke to another wonderful sunny day and we were able to have breakfast on the stern.

We were underway by 8.20 and it was pleasant cruising in slightly cooler temperatures than yesterday.

Not sure if this is graffiti or art work but it is quite stunning.

This sign was quite amusing as we were doing about 0.5km as we passed as it was just after a lock.

We only had 4 locks to pass through today to lead us into the centre of Leicester. Castle Gardens is the suggested secure location but we stopped for water at Friar’s Mill to discover that the mooring here is also behind locked gates which only boaters can open. It is only about an extra 10 min. walk to the centre so decided to stay here for 2 nights. We found the clock tower in the centre and also a T shirt telling us how to pronounce Leicester!

Obviously since Richard III’s remains were found in a car park we had to go to the visitors centre where the trench where he was found has been incorporated into the building. There is an interesting lighting effect which shows the position of his body. His feet were missing. The whole story is remarkable as the body was discovered very early on in the dig.

His remains have now been laid to rest in Leicester Cathedral.

(Backup) Monday 25th June 2018

Fantastic weather all day. More sun in one day than we had in the whole of last years cruise! We walked into Loughborough for shopping but saw no signs of the University. I think that it must be on the outskirts with lots of playing fields etc. as sport is what it is famous for. By the time we had filled with water at the Basin it was 11am before we set off. We passed the infamous Pillings Marina which, about a year ago, featured a great deal in boating forums and magazines. At one point there was a threat to place stop planks across the Marina entrance so that no one could leave. Seemed to be quite 

quiet today.

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Barrow on Soar had a succession of railway arches which moored boats had taken over for their homes. One showed a great deal of imagination as they must have collected numerous door and window frames  to cover the entrance.

Some of the houses were very attractive with their gardens coming down to the river and some even had outdoor hot tubs or river side seating areas.

This one definitely decided that an Englishman’s home is his castle! It is for sale if anyone is interested.

Bicycle Paddling was seen on a couple of occasions. The ladies said that it was easier than they thought it would be.

This bridge looks newer than the 1860 picked out in brickwork. Very impressive.

We moored at Thurmaston Lock for the night and were able to sit at the stern to eat which I don’t think we ever achieved last year. 

Tomorrow we head into Leicester either to moor there or to moor outside the city and to take a bus in to look around. There are some secure moorings but you just have to get there at the correct time.

Sunday 24th June 2018

We woke early to glorious sunshine and this continued all day as the temperature rose and the skin required regular top ups of suntan cream.  When we left at 8.30am the river Soar was very peaceful although flood warning signs along the River show that this is not always the case. The houses adjacent to the river are built on stilts in case of flooding.

As we turned down the Soar we had a good view of the entrance to the Erewash Canal which we explored in Oct.2016.

 Ratcliffe Power Station with its 8 cooling towers could sometimes be seen very clearly and then it disappeared behind a hill of earth. 

Anyone for a leopard skin boat?

Always think that this is a crazy name for a boat as there is nothing lazy about a boating holiday!

Normanton chuch looked idyllic but there are no moorings for visitors.

We moored up at 1pm to watch the England game and then when it was over we passed through one more lock and stopped at Loughborough. This is our base tonight.

Saturday 23rd June 2018

After arriving at the marina yesterday afternoon we were ready to set off at 10.30am. Our first days travel is exactly the same as last year so we knew what to expect. There was, however, a new bridge over the entrance to the Marina. It was craned into position yesterday so we would not have been able to leave then. It is to connect an overflow car park for the many shoppers who now visit the Marina as a leisure destination. The planners wanted a traditional hump back bridge appearance  but the internal framework is metal with a wooden facade.

Unlike last year there were no volunteers on any of the locks which were hard work being double and very heavy. We passed the iconic, and refurbished Navigation Inn at Shardlow, The owners wanted to change the name but public opinion persuaded them to retain the historic name.

The Shardlow flood gates were open as it has not rained for a while. The Trent & Mersey canal is 93 and a half miles long and has 76 locks. Over the years we have done them all - at least twice.

Sawley lock is electrically operated and was manned when we went through. Oh - the joy of not having to work the lock! 

Last year, a microbrewery opened at the lock, and it seemed to be thriving today, despite the limited opening hours.

Trent lock was our destination for the night. We found this dovecote in the garden of one of the pubs.

Tomorrow we head for new water when we enter the River Soar. Hopefully the weather will continue fine and dry!🤞