Back to Bugbrooke

Friday and we are on our way back to Bugbrooke. Set off in company with Hope - that is, a boat named Hope. The morning was mixed overcast and showers but Hope's owners were good company. Us two fellas chatted away in the locks about bloke stuff, like boats and engines, while the two girls walked between the locks exchanging information. I put it that way because Brigid always comes back to the boat and tells me where they live, how many children they have, where they go on holiday, whereas all I find out is that they've got a Lister engine and this is their third boat. But it was great as the locks flew by and what could have been a dull morning was, instead, delightful. We were sorry to part company after the last lock. 

Now, look at this boat, all black and named Valhalla. 

Just passing Weedon Wharf. A lovely house, mooring and winding hole but the railway runs right beside the back garden. Such a shame. 

Looking back along the cut. 

And here we are back at base. The sides of the boat are a bit battered and scraped but nothing that a lick of paint won't put right. Polgara has, once again, looked after us well during our time on her and our repayment? Scratches and scrapes! Well, and a new Morse cable, new fender, oil levels kept topped up, grease applied in delicate places, batteries kept fully charged, rust treatment applied, friends invited aboard. What more could a girl want? Now it's time for a rest until we next take to the water again. 

Sorry!

Sorry that I haven't posted anything since Saturday but the only reason I have, which isn't really a reason at all, is that it's been sunny and we've been enjoying every minute of it. 

It's Thursday evening and we are moored just below Buckby top lock, one of our favourite stopping places. 

But, what happened before that? Well, on Sunday we set off from Sileby. 

As you can see, a clear blue sky ahead of us. 

The captain took the helm and it was full steam ahead. 

Past some moorings near Cossington. 

A reminder of home, a wind turbine! 

This is the Hope and Anchor pub, one which we have passed many times. 

A canal's eye view of the space centre in Leicester. 

And now, approaching our mooring for the night at Friar's Mill. Ahead of us is Willy Worm, a boat we shared many of the locks with today. 

Monday and off again through the city. 

A last look at our mooring. 

Here is Leicester proper where the swan population is very large. At one point they all decided to take off and flew straight toward the boat - just as we wer going under the next bridge. Some hasty landings were made just behind us. 

Harvey managed to pop out from his office to wave us on our way. 

Not a brilliant picture but it's Leicester City football stadium. 

In the evening we stopped at Kilby Bridge and visited the Navigation for a wonderful supper. 

Tuesday and off again. 

This is what it's all about. Lovely! 

Vapour trails in the sky, sun on the tiller - and Brigid working the locks with Hilary from Willy Worm. 

And there is Willy Worm alongside us in the lock. 

Doesn't the canal look great when the sun's shining. 

There we are, an action photo. 

This looks like a wedding venue with, instead of a marquee, two wigwams with connecting tent. 

Approaching Saddlington Tunnel - only 880 yds long. 

The end is in sight! 

Here we are moored for the night just before Foxton Locks. We managed to meet up again with our Australian friends, Graeme & Hilary on Willow. They had followed us through Standedge tunnel but took a different route to get to Foxton. 

And another sunset to round off the day. 

Well, Wednesday was Locks day. 

One last look at Willow and then... 

Into the first of the 10 locks. 

Now moving on into the second. There are two sets of five locks in a staircase and we had to wait in the middle so that two boats coming down could pass us as we were going up. 

Here's an arty picture of the captain at work. 

 

The red ground paddle has to be opened before the white one. 

 

This is because they use a system of side pounds which saves water in the long run. 

One of the side pounds. The canal engineers were very clever at devising means of saving water wherever possible since, once it has gone out the bottom, it's gone for good. 

And, lastly, a view from the top. 

The swans were obviously not impressed by our achievement. 

Here's a lovely bronze boat horse near the top of the locks. 

There was quite a heat haze in the afternoon. 

And here's the captain relaxing after a busy, very sunny day. 

And the obligatory sunset. 

Thursday, today, and is was push on to Watford Locks. 

The morning started off very misty and stayed that way until about midday. This is Crick Marina. 

Look at the detail on this railway bridge. Nowadays they are just plain concrete. 

We made our way through Watford locks, picking up another fender round the propeller (that's the 2nd this holiday), met up briefly with Willy Worm again and then headed down through Buckby top lock. 

One of the houses just below the lock. 

Now moored for the night with, hopefully, supper at the New Inn later. 

More rain

Saturday was wet, wet, wet! So we stayed at Sileby for another day and in the afternoon Harvey & Helen collected us again and we all went to the pictures to see Swallows and Amazons. 

Coincidentally, a few days earlier we bought the 1974 version of the film and it was interesting to see the 'modern' take on the story. I won't say more so as not to spoil anything for you - it's a really good film. 

After that, back through Rothley to pick up some fish & chips for supper. 

Another lovely (but wet) day. 

Birthday celebrations Part II

Friday and now it's Brigid's birthday. 💖🎉🍾

We met up with Harvey & Helen in the evening and they treated us to a sumptuous meal at The Grey Lady. 

We had a lovely evening and really celebrated in style. Thank you H&H for a very special family evening together. 

Pottering along

Thursday and we pass the entrance to the marina. 

And look at the sky - it's sunny again. I'm going to repeat that - it's sunny again. The reason for the repeat is that everyone dahn sahf is raving on about how hot August has been but the weather up here has been very mixed. Granted we've been in shorts most days but we've had our share of sunshine and showers. Told you I was a grumpy old man! 

Now on the river bit approaching Barrow upon Soar. 

Just approaching the bridge at Barrow and trying to work out which arch to go through. There are 3, 1 with canoes and boats, so not that one, another with a mooring buoy in the middle, so, let's go for the only one remaining. 

Phew, safely through and from this side you can see even more arches. 

We had a brief look at Barrow and not much has changed. Except that the butcher we always used has retired at last and it is now a sweet shop. Anyway, we are now zooming past the posh part of Barrow where houses and gardens sweep down to the riverside. 

Looking good with private mooring all ready for the off. 

I love this place, it has a row of cannon ports along the outside - repel boarders! Broadside Mr Christian! 

Sorry, got carried away just then. A picture of horses. As long as we have known it there have been horses in this field, but this time there a many more than ever before. 

Approaching Mountsorrel and it's good to see the new development has some boats in their private marina. 

 Under the bridge which was built in 1860. 

And then on to Sileby Mill in time for an afternoon cuppa. 

A look across at the mill. 

And a last look at the boat before turning in for the night.