Well I'm pleased to say that we didn't stay at the foot of the lock over night. Round about 19:00 the on scene commander of the fire incident informed us that the fire was now out and we could pass. Both boats fired up as soon as possible and set off.
We had a bit of help with the gates. The girls loved the men in uniform.
This was the scene of the incident where a very large acetylene gas bottle in the back of the van had been vandalised and caught fire. It looks like there was plenty of stuff in the van, plus another couple of cars burnt out on top of those that can be seen.
The graffiti just after the lock was splendid indeed and helped to distract us from wondering whether there would be any room on the pontoon moorings for us. As it happened there was half a boats space on the end of Friars Mill pontoon. We winded and parked up the stern alongside and Karen and Jim, out lock companions moored up alongside. After our adventures of the day we agreed to meet up for a pint in the town. Maybe it was that that helped me sleep soundly, but it was a very quite mooring.
This morning we headed into town as Helen had some holiday shopping to do. I saw this as we passed on the way to another shop. Worth the trip. It seems that Thomas Cook was a local lad and thought of using the railways for Temerance outings whilst walking from Market Harborough to Leicester for a meeting! The building was put up by his son John Mason who had taken over the business following the death of his Father,. The new office, opened in 1894, was a memorial to his Dad and was next to the old offices. It was very up market and also housed the parcels department of the Midland Railway. The lower railway panels, starting from the left, 1841 depicts the first Temperance trip that Thomas organised to Loughborough. The 1851 panel depicts the excursions he organised to the Great Exhibition. 1884 shows a Nile Expedition and that of 1891 improvements in railway engineering with a new Midland Railway engine and the new Forth Rail bridge.
On the way back from shopping we called in to the Cathedral to see Richard III tomb. It was announced that a short guided tour would be taken place. We were the only takers. It was very informative and given by a very knowledgeable guide. At the end we were talking and I mentioned I had been at sea. She mentioned the name of her daughters father in law and it turns out I knew him as I was at college with him 45 years ago. We got back and had some lunch and then set off. Our lock mates were staying another night so had moved onto a vacant berth. These are the new Friars Mill moorings.
These are the original Castle Gardens. As we passed Lime Kiln lock near Abbey Park we passed the old City Wharves, in a side arm. There were new pontoons there, but no signs or anything. It seems that these are even more new C&RT pontoons and are open. It is a little further to the city centre, but not much. It looks as though it may well double the number of secure moorings for leicester.
West bridge is the point where the River Soar Navigation becomes the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union.
At Freeman's Meadow Lock there is a big weir and the King Power Stadium of Leicester City.
Blue Bank Bridge, just above the lock of the same name, has a nice reflection. The rain is holding off but it is very gloomy.
This is Blaby Mill. After Gees Lock the navigation leave the valley of the Soar and starts to follow that of the Sence. It would seem thyat the mill was firstly water driven but obviously later had a steam engine, with the chimney. It was a corn mill that has existed in some form since Medieval times. It is now a stables and equestrian school.
We saw our first cygnets, and have come into this world during a bit of sa cold snap. I hope some of them survive. We stopped above Ervins lock a little after 18:00 and lit the fire!
No comments:
Post a Comment