Market Harborough

On the Market Harborough Arm

Saunt's Bridge

Moored outside Market Harborough Canal Basin

 As yesterday's wind had died down overnight we set off at 9:35 from Foxton to Market Harborough on the Market Harborough Arm of the Grand Union Canal.  Just beyond Foxton there is a swing bridge carrying a minor road across the canal.  Sadly although the control panel is electric the rather heavy bridge has to be operated by hand.  Having opened the bridge for Densie two other boats turned up which we let pass through.  Further on is a really delightful stretch of canal, similar in its isolation to the Leicester section but the trees lining the waterway are more mature and when visible the rural scenery is more hilly.  The only downside is that the canal is fairly shallow so we travelled at about 2.5 mph which was really very pleasant considering the quality of the journey.

By lunchtime we had arrived at the terminus of the Arm, the Market Harborough Canal Basin aka Union Wharf, where we turned around and moored at the visitor moorings just outside.  We walked the 3/4 mile downhill  to the supermarkets and 3/4 mile back again uphill carrying as much shopping as we could..  Since the town is interesting with a good range of shops we have decided to stay until Monday and so reversed the boat into a paid-for visitor mooring in the basin.  This is supplied with electricity which means we wont have to run the engine during our stay.

Today 5.1m, 0 locks, 1 swing bridge, 2 hours 15 mins travelling