We went in search of a paper at the shop at Foxton and after a bit of detective work we found it was closed until later, two weeks later. It had moved from the pub to a purpose built chalet that will be open in a couple of weeks. It will be an easy walk from the bottom of Foxton Locks so worth remembering.
We were then off and through the two swing bridges with no trouble. and joined the queue at the foot of the locks.
Our guest Captain Chris just clearing the road swing bridge at Foxton.
After finding the lock keeper, who was 9, (they are are having a junior lock keeper day to day) we were third in the queue with the last down boat just about to leave the lock. In no time at all we were heading up.
Into the first five staircase and under the bridge. 'Red before White and you'll be all right'. The 'White before Red and you'll be dead' puts the fear of God into some people it seems. Just think that the red lets the water out of the side pound and the white lets it in.
There were the usual crowd of on lockers and it is amazing to hear the various theories as to how a lock works! However I had one woman forcefully ask me to explain the way it all worked to her group of foreign students. I think I covered all the salient points but I didn't get a clap, or a tip or very much of a thank you! We were up in about 75 mins with a bit of a delay due to crossing in the middle. We stopped at the top for water, and an ice cream and then continued on our way.
I wish I had the concession for ice creams at the top on a day like today.
There was regular traffic coming against us after we left but it wasn't too busy at all. It was nice to get in among the trees to get a bit of a cool breeze as it has been quite muggy all day.
The dell between Hony Pot Farm Bridge and Bosworth Tunnel.
It seemed like there had been a very smokey boat go through the tunnel but I think it was just atmospherics as there was no smell. We had a clear run through and met a boat not long after we cleared. There was no sign of a new marina that we had heard about at North Kilworth and we were soon at the junction with the Welford Arm and turned down it.
Market Bosworth Tunnel, 1170 yds long
Welford Junction that was luckily kept open even when trade finished as it is a feeder from Welford Reservoir for the summit pound. There is one narrow lock near the end and then it is find a mooring.
Helen's reward for the day was a glass of rose and a Hello on chair. I went looking for hazel nuts but didn't find more than a handful after passing loads on the tow path
No comments:
Post a Comment