Wandering up to Wellford.

We headed off at a decent hour and were soon approaching Husbands Bosworth tunnel.

We could see right down the tunnel and nobody was heading our way, although it is two way working tunnel.

This photo shows how deep the tunnel is. Above the tunnel are the dates 1813, when it was built, and 1924 the year when the portal was rebuilt. By the time we got to the tunnel mouth a boat had come in the other end. It had a LED head lamp. It wasn't in a beam, but a flood light. Whilst not exactly blinded by it, as it was non directional it has the chance of doing so to some.

The cuttings at either end of the Husbands Bosworth Tunnel are deep and are either side of the ridge that is the watershed. On the east side the water flows into the River Welland that ends in the Wash, and to the west it flows into the River Avon, yes Shakespeare's Avon that continues to the River Severn and Bristol Channel.

North Kilworth Marina is filling up. The entrance looks as though it would be challenging in a wind as once in it seems to be hard a starboard, or hard a port and then round an island!

We decided to head up the Welford Arm and along with a finger post this mile post marks the junction. Wellford was our first mooring on our delivery job on Holderness in October 2013. It was completed in the dark!

Helen brought the boat into the one and only lock on the arm. In the distance the narrows marks the site of a lift bridge of unusual design. The wooden post that stands on the off side is the only part of the structure standing.

The arm was built to bring water from the Welford, Sulby and Naseby reservoirs but soon after it was opened a wharf was built and cargo was soon brought in, such as coal and lime. Seven lime kilns were constructed at the head of the arm and cargoes were brought in to WWII. By 1946 it had become disused, but by 1969 enthusiasts had brought it back to life so 50 years later there were celebrations of that time. The arm is short but sweet.

On a walk around the village I saw another Phipps & Co ghost sign. This time it was on an old village store and off licence. You can also see a painted sign that says Rattcliffe's Celebrated Stout!

Wellford church is at the high point of the village and is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It has lovely honey coloured stone with lichen. The tomb stones are mainly slate and are well preserved. The church dates from 13th Century but there is a tradition that an earlier church dates from around 1100. This was connected to Sulby Abbey that was closed at the reformation. This is supported by the finding of a 12th Century lead chalice that was found in the church yard and displayed in a small niche in the north wall.

The service block at the end of the arm was obviously the wharf warehouse. The MIKRON theatre's boat 'Tyseley' is moored by the building ready for a show next week. We are going to miss all their shows I think.