From north of Yelvertoft to Crick, Leicester Arm and onto Braunston, Grand Union Canal
We have now made our way back to Braunston ready for dry docking next week, and becuse a trip home for a few days is also beckoning. Absolutely perfect boating weather by day, and we are certainly not alone in enjoying the October sunshine. very cool overnight and our thoughts are turning towards installation of a wood burner, we should have sorted out ages ago.
We have to say that at Yelvertoft on our way along the Leicester Arm ,we discovered a very good village butcher, with excellent meat and time to talk - highly recommended and well worth a visit. We shall return to him most certainly. Unfortunately, the visit to the village stores was memorable for different reasons.
An easy trip down the staircase of locks at Watford in the sunshine, assisted by helpful BW personnel, but as we were leaving the final lock, 'a jobs worth' element came into play. As another boat approached to go into the lock and on to a passing place, BW closed the gates in front of them and promptly refilled the lock. Unfortunately, every boat must speak to the lockkeeper who is at the top of the flight. Haven't these BW people heard of mobiles or walkytalkies? What a waste of water and energies.
Be back soon.
Sunday 11 October 2009
Saturday 10 October 2009
Saturday 10 October 2009
From above Foxton Locks to just north of Yelverton, Grand Union Canal, Leicester Section
Top hats, long tail coats, lace bonnets and shawls, flat caps and hob nail boots were the order of the day for many boaters we saw dressed in period costume setting off in a parade of boats from Foxton to Market Harborough to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the canal arm. VAGABOND, an elderly cruise boat containing a brass band, lead the procession away, to the sound of "for all those in peril on the sea"! There was a slight delay to the proceedings due to the late arrival of the horse for the horse drawn boat , but things went to plan after that.
So it was mid morning before we set off from Foxton, and true to form the weather forecasters got it slightly wrong today, as a fine drizzle fell, but all was quickly forgiven as lovely, warm, sunny afternoon soon materialised.The thermals must have been good too, as several gliders were circling overhead.
We have a feeling that today we passed "Indian Jo", on his boat Lakota Dream Spirit, who was slightly known to us as a fellow boater on the Mon and Brec when we had our hotelboats. He certainly looked familiar, but we hesitated to call out to him incase ......... May be we shall encounter him again and have a chance to chat.
Top hats, long tail coats, lace bonnets and shawls, flat caps and hob nail boots were the order of the day for many boaters we saw dressed in period costume setting off in a parade of boats from Foxton to Market Harborough to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the canal arm. VAGABOND, an elderly cruise boat containing a brass band, lead the procession away, to the sound of "for all those in peril on the sea"! There was a slight delay to the proceedings due to the late arrival of the horse for the horse drawn boat , but things went to plan after that.
So it was mid morning before we set off from Foxton, and true to form the weather forecasters got it slightly wrong today, as a fine drizzle fell, but all was quickly forgiven as lovely, warm, sunny afternoon soon materialised.The thermals must have been good too, as several gliders were circling overhead.
We have a feeling that today we passed "Indian Jo", on his boat Lakota Dream Spirit, who was slightly known to us as a fellow boater on the Mon and Brec when we had our hotelboats. He certainly looked familiar, but we hesitated to call out to him incase ......... May be we shall encounter him again and have a chance to chat.
Friday 9 October 2009
Friday 9 October 2009
Foxton Locks, Leicester Section, Grand Union Canal
Well, after a 2 week holiday at home we have returned to the boat and made our way to Foxton, primarily to see the restoration work done here over the last 20 years since our last visit. Now it is a very tidy and well kept site with interest too as the remains of the inclined boat lift plane now very evident, plus the canal museum alongside is open. Plans are in place to fully restore the lift which will ease congestion of boats waiting to get upand down, in fact history will repeat itself.
We have spent the day here as we also wanted to take in a walk we had seen in the D/Tel - thankfully we were able to substitute some tarmac walking with paths across farmland and taking in well signed footpaths. A good 3 hours - need a dog! - made complete by some very enjoyable Theakston Black Bull ale at the pub below the lock staircase.
On our way to Foxton we boated down to Welford, down the pretty canal arm reopened 40 years ago. Rather a dreary place at the end of the canal, but Welford is an attractive village with, thankfully, a good little shop.
So tomorrow we will not proceed down the locks, but turnround and retrace our steps. There is a promenade of dressed boats and boaters in period costume tomorrow, to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of canal arm to Market Harborough. We will probably watch them leave and then make our way back towards Braunston.
Sorry no pictures this trip, left the camera behind, we hope!
Well, after a 2 week holiday at home we have returned to the boat and made our way to Foxton, primarily to see the restoration work done here over the last 20 years since our last visit. Now it is a very tidy and well kept site with interest too as the remains of the inclined boat lift plane now very evident, plus the canal museum alongside is open. Plans are in place to fully restore the lift which will ease congestion of boats waiting to get upand down, in fact history will repeat itself.
We have spent the day here as we also wanted to take in a walk we had seen in the D/Tel - thankfully we were able to substitute some tarmac walking with paths across farmland and taking in well signed footpaths. A good 3 hours - need a dog! - made complete by some very enjoyable Theakston Black Bull ale at the pub below the lock staircase.
On our way to Foxton we boated down to Welford, down the pretty canal arm reopened 40 years ago. Rather a dreary place at the end of the canal, but Welford is an attractive village with, thankfully, a good little shop.
So tomorrow we will not proceed down the locks, but turnround and retrace our steps. There is a promenade of dressed boats and boaters in period costume tomorrow, to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of canal arm to Market Harborough. We will probably watch them leave and then make our way back towards Braunston.
Sorry no pictures this trip, left the camera behind, we hope!
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