Back at our marina

 Our travels started early this morning at 7:30 because we wanted to avoid meeting other boats in the 2000 yard Braunston tunnel as we are not sure whether our temporary head light would be too bright for oncoming traffic.  Fortunately we did not meet anyone and and the passage was quick.  

Beyond the tunnel there is the 6 double width lock Braunston flight.  A boat was waiting in the first lock for a partner to share the work and we were happy to oblige.  Especially as that boat turned out to be "Whisper" who moor next to us in the marina.

After completing the 6 locks we both stopped in Braunston, Whisper to visit a boatyard to get some work done and us enjoy late beakfast at the Gongoozler's Rest, a well-known boaters cafe based on a narrowboat moored at Braunston. We then walked to the local chandlers to look for a rplacement headlamp but failed to find anything suitable.

Typical views on the North Oxford Canal

There then followed the cruise back up the North Oxford canal to our marina.  Getting onto the services pontoon to empty our water tank and fill up with diesel proved to be very difficult since there another narrowboat was occupying the space and there was a strong wind blowing across the marina which at one stage pushed us across to boats moored on the opposite side.  However we eventually we were successful.  Fortunately the wind had abated somewhat when we moved onto our mooring which we managed without much difficulty.

4 hours 35 minutes, 6 locks, 7.37 miles

Data for our entire cruise:

33 days, average 2.77 hours/day,  150.09 miles, 97 locks, 2 swing bridges, 91.42 hours cruising

Drive plate replaced, on the move again

 After our enforced 3 days stuck near the top of Watford locks we are glad to be on the move again.  The RCR engineer arrived at 9:45 with a new drive plate and after 45 minutes it had been installed and checked.  We set off 15 minutes later and it appeared the engine was running more smoothly than for a long time.

Queue on the M1 as we wait below to descend Watford Locks

Denise working Watford Top Lock

Arriving at Watford Locks we found we were 9th in the queue to descend.   The lock keeper was clearing a similar queue at the bottom of the locks waiting to come up and so we weren't able to start the descent until some 2.5 hours later. With a staircase lock it is more efficient on water usage if boats continue to pass through the flight in the same direction rather than alternating as would be the case with a normal lock. 

The Leicester brabd of the Grand Union below Watford Locks

We then cruised on to join the main Grand Union Canal at Norton Junction where we turned right and then moored up at 15:15.

4 hours 35 minutes, 7 locks, 3 miles exactly.

Still not moving

 We are still stuck at the top of Watford Locks.  But the good news is that RCR have sourced a new drive plate and are planning to install it on Thursday morning.  That should still give us suffient time to reach our home marina for their annual barbecue on Saturday.

In the meanime we needed food, our cupboards were nearly bare.  So we called Long Buckby Taxis who were able to find our isolated mooring location  and take us into the village where there is a well stocked Coop, butchers, and some other shops plus an indian restaurant.

So we are now OK for the next few days.

0 miles 0 locks 0 hours  

Aargh - major engine problem

 Just when we thought our problems were all over something completely different has stopped us from moving.  We had successfully navigated through Crick Tunnel with the aid of our temporary lamp when I heard a rattling noise from the engine. We stopped to have a look but we could see no obvious cause.  Not wishing to risk any major damage I called RCRCR again who agreed to send an engineer out.

However we could not moor safely where we had stopped as it was too shallow but did not want to risk carrying on to somewhere more convenient. Fortunately narrow boat Katie arrived and ageed to tow us towards Watford Locks where there was plenty of mooring. 

The engineer turned up within 2 hours of the orignal call and quickly identified the problem.  The rattling noise had been very real and was the result of various bits of the drive plate, the equivalent of a clutch on a car, knocking around in the engine.  He was amazed we had been able to carry on so far, only one bolt was in place preventing the engine halting completely. 

So now we await a phone call from RCR on whether they have a new drive plate in stock.  A 2 day wait if they do and possibly 2 weeks if not.  In the meantime we have store cupboard meals for 2 days and then will have to either get a taxi  a local shopor walk the 1 mile down the towpath to Watford Gap motorway services which are next to the canal. As the engineer was able to remove the drive plate completely we can run the engine purely to generate electricity  and provide hot water so should not be too uncomfortable.

Drive plate with broken bits around the centre

Close-up showing jammed broken bolt and sundry bits of plastic stuff

Moored near Watford Locks

1 hour 13 mins moving, 2.28 miles

Crick

Making our way through the vegetation

A thankfully quiet and uneventful cruise today.  No locks, no technical problems, simply 10.25 uninterrupted miles covered in just over 4 hours arriving in the village of Crick at 13:45 after lunch on the move. This section of the canal is very attractive as the canal winds its way around the hills although in places it is shallow and narrow with the waterway constricted by over-hanging trees and dense waterside vegetation.

We were planning to walk into the village as it,s our first chance to shop since last Monday, but the local Coop is a mile from our mooring so we decided to make do with whatever is left on our shelves. Tinned salmon salad for tonight, perhaps with a small glass of wine.

4 hours 10 mins, 10.25 miles

Electrical problems

Attractive scenery on the Leicester Branch, but.....

Yesterday when passing through Saddington Tunnel the headlight cut out for for a few seconds.  We did not think too much about it since it did not happen again.  This morning when some 2 miles from the 1000 yard Husbands Bosworth Tunnel it seemed pruent to check the headlamp before proceeding further.  It did not work and there was a worrying smell of burning plastic from the electrics cuppboard.  Clearly a major problem since we need to go through 3 tunnels to reach our home mooring and could not do this without a light.

As we are members of RCR, the emergency breakdown service for the canals, we called them out.  Fortunately although they only normally regard engine failure as an emergency they accepted that our situation would also be treated in the same way.

An engineer turned up in 90 minutes and quickly found a short circuit in the headlamp which he fixed and the light worked.  He had brought a plug-in free-standing light more than adequate for a headlamp as a backup which we decided to keep.   When we were within sight of the tunnel we checked again. The headlamp failed. Thank goodness we had the backup which worked even better than the original ever did. 

We eventually arrived at Welford Juction at 16:20 and moored for the night. In the next few days we will be returning to our marina as quickly as possible.

3 hours 15 mins moving, 7.32 miolers

Foxton Locks

Boat leaving Foxton Bottom Lock

Densie in the 6th Foxton Lock

View from the top of Foxton Locks

Today we ascended Foxton Locks, one of the major attractions of the wterways, where 10 locks arranged as 2 5-lock staircases rise a total 75 feet to the highest level on the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union.  Unlike the rest of the Grand Union Foxton Locks and the smaller flight at Watford (as in "Watford Gap", not the area of London) are narrow and so present a barrier preventing wide boats travelling between the Northern and Southern canals other than by crossing the Wash.

After arriving at Foxton at 10:40 we visited the small shop at the base of the locks to see if we could find some groceries as we are running low in supplies, but all they had of interest was bread and eggs.  We then moved the boat onto the water point where we refilled our domestic tank.

After a further 20 minute wait for a boat to descend the lower staircase the lock keeper was gave us permission to enter the bottom lock. The flight is controlled by volunteer lock keepers as a novice boater without experience of staircase locks could have difficulty.  We reached the top lock in only 50 minutes thanks to the assistance of the volunteers.

As it had started to rain we moored up for the day at the first opportunity at 13:00.

3 hours, 10 locks, 1.81 miles

Near Debdale Wharf

 We set off at 10:05 this morning continuing to travel with Days Like This.   A mile later we reached the first of the a set of 5 locks which climb further into the local low lying hills.  We ascended the locks quickly, our joint lock techniques being well practised. Beyond the fnal lock, Kibworth Top Lock, the canal reaches a level which it keep for the next 4.5 milres and will take itto Foxton Locks and on to Market Harborough.  Here we split up from Days Like This as we will not be travelling through further locks trogether.

Approaching Saddington Tunnel

Canal water feed from Saddington Reservoir

Typical views near Saddington

Moored near Debdale Wharf

A mile further on the canal passes through the 880 yard Saddington Tunnel after which it follows a winding but attractive path cut into the side of the hills.  The water in this section of canal is supplied by the Saddington Reservoir  which is currently very low because of the drought leading to stretches of the canal being shallow.  The photo shows the feed from the reservoir which with little sign of any flow.

After the tunnel the forecast rain started so we moored up at 13:45 in a very isolated and attractive area with trees on the hillside to the west and views of open coutryside through the thick hedge to the east.

3 hours 40 mins,5 locks, 5.57 miles

  

Into the countryside near Newton Harcourt

In Bottom Half Mile Lock with Turnover Lock in te background

Moored near Newton Harcourt

 A complete change of scenery now we have left Leicester.  We set off from Kilby Bridge at 9:45 and travelled through open countryside with little sign or sound of  habitation and only an occasional bridge taking a minor road or farm track over the canal.  The weather was pleasant with some sunshine, warm but not too warm for working the 7 locks  with narrowboat Days Like This who have been accompanying us since we left the moorings in central Leicester.

We moored up for a cooked lunch at 12:25 and won't move again until tomorrow morning assuming the weather is OK.  As I write this blog heavy storm clouds are approaching and there is a distant rumble of thunder.  

2 hours 40 mins, 7 locks, 2.65 miles

Beyond Leicester

 Today we travelled through the outer suburbs of Leicester to reach the edge of the conurbation at Kilby Bridge on a canal which forms an arm of the Birmingham/London GrandUnion.

On the move between \blue Bank Lock and Gees Lock in Glen Parva

Densie and Days Like This sharing Gees Lock

Community Garden at Whetstone Lane Lock, Glen Parva

We set off at 10am, still cruising and sharing locks with Days Like This.   Sadly the scenery was of limited interest with a mixture of dense vegetation and suburban housing.  The canal was shallow and weedy in places and some of the 8 wide locks difficult to operate.  We arrived at Kilby Bridge at 2pm where we moored for the night.

3 hours 50 minutes, 8 Locks, 4.48 miles

Leaving Leicester

 First job in the morning was a major shop at Tesco about 10 minutes walk from the boat.  We arnow e fully strucked up on groceries for the next week.

Leicester.s Straight Mile

We left Friar's Mill at 11:45 with narrowboat Days Like This who had moored behind us.  After travelling up Leicesters "Straight Mile". nearly a mile of straight wide canal; we arrived at Freeman's lock, our first lock of the day.  We ascended this lock together. 

A boat width gap in the waterweed below St Mary's Mill Lock

Making our way through the jungle

The waterway that followed was twisty, narrow, weedy with overhanging trees for most of the rest of the journey' though we enjoyed experience.  A one stage it looked like a scene from African Queen. At the 4th lock, King's Lock near Aylestone, we left the river for the last time and moored for the day at 14:25 just before Blue Bank Lock in Glen Parva. 

2 hours 40 mins, 4 locks, 3.77 inches

Leicester

 Today we cruised into Leicester. with some trepidation as we had been warned that there was not any mooring spce available.  But central Leicester is our last good opportunity to buy groceries for the next week at least.

Entries into most cities are pretty similar.  First the pleasant suburbs, then the less attractive inner areas and finally the centre.  But often the waterway is suprisingly green for much of the journey. And so it was for Leicester.

Limekiln Lock, Inner Leicester

The subrurbs were represented by Birstall. But before long we were at Belgrave Lock where a group of dubious-looking characters were busy on their mobiles, followed by Limekiln Lock in a similar area.  However this is one of the green oasises (oasees?) where on a pevious visit we saw a kingfisher.  Sadly none were visible today.

Duckweed is now a problem

Moored at Friar's Mill, central Leicester

As the photo shows the waterway in Leicester is increasingly covered with duckweed which can wind around the propellor making it necessary to stop to clear it. Fortunately not a problem for us today.

Our journey Then took us past Abbey Park followed soon after by our final lock,North Lock. Round a bend we had the first view of our desired mooring spot at Friar's Mill.  There was only one boat there, the rest of the mooring was empty.  Cheers all roound! 

We moored up at 13:30.  In the afternoon we walked the half mile into the city centre for a quick shop. Our big shop at Tesco is scheduled for tomorrow.

3 hours 45 mins, 5 locks, 5.67 miles

Watermead Country Park

The Soar rejoins the navigation below Mountsorrel Lock

A shorter travelling time today. We started off at 8:55 in overcast weather and arrived at Mountsorrel Lock after 2 miles. After ascending the lock our next stop was Sileby Lock where there is a boat yard and a small boat hire business. 

Densie in Sileby Lock with 2 day boats

Having just entered the lock  2  small day hire boats arrived for their introductory training session from the boat hire staff.  They both fitted into the lock alongside us and followed us on to the next lock at Cossington.

Areas of the waterway are frequently covered in dense weed

Here we found yet another day boat moored up waiting for a boat to coming down the lock. They were able to also fit into the lock as well making a group of 4.  Sadly I was not able to take a photo.

Moored at Watermead Country Patr

By the subsequent lock, Junction Lock, the group split up and we continued on our own to the attractive moorings at Watermead Country Park on the outskirts of Leicester where we moored for the night.

3 hours 25 mins, 4 locks, 6.0 miles

Barrow on Soar

Riverside house in Normanton on Soar

Large patch of floating weed (with ducks)

Woodthorpe Bridge between Loughborough and Barrow

Barrow Bridge

The sky was overcast when we left Zouch at 9:25, though there was less wnid than yesterday and the temperature felt warmer.  Less than a mile later we passed the village of Normanton On Soar where very smart hourses with waterside gardens line  the bank of the river.  It is not a place for boaters as there are no public moorings and the riverside village pub only allows mooring by the local charity trip boat.  No welcome for passing visitors.

2 miles further on we reached the industrial town of Loughborough where we mooored to visit the nearby Sainsburys.  After lunch we set off again southwards,   to the village of Barrow on Soar where we moored for the night 

Thinking about our journey last night I realised that the whole trip through .the midlands until the first real lock on the Soar, a distance of about 80 miles, has been down hill.  We are now travelling up hill until the top of DFoxton Locks after which the rest of te journey will be down hill agin.

3 Hours 55 mins, 3 (real) locks, 6.91miles

Off the Trent & Mersey and onto the River Soar

 Another long (for us) day cruising..  The weather forecast is now showing frequent rain next week so we need the freedom not to travel if conditions are really bad.

We set off from Shardlow at 8:55 travelling through the village to Derwent Mouth Lock which took us down to the River Trent which has now become a major river, far wider than when we last saw it at Alrewas.  About 3/4 mile later the navigation  avoids a large weir on the river by a short diversion through Sawley Cut where there are extensive moorings and a large marina with all the services needed by passing boats.

Here we stopped for about an hour to empty our waste tank.  This required turning the boat around in the soewhat limited space available so that the waste tank outlet was next to the pump and then turning around again when we had finished.

On the River Trent below Sawley Lock

Sawley Cut ends at the paired powered Sawley Locks which take one down back to the Trent.   The locks were operated by two very helpful volunteers who kindly offered to take our rubbish bags to the nearby bins.  After a mile cruising on the Trent we reached the junction at Trent Lock where the river cariies on towards Nottingham whilst our route  turns off to the right onto the River Soar towards Loughborough and Leicester.

Kegworth Shallow Flood Lock, open at both ends

On the Soar above Kegworth

The Soar near Zouch

View looking back from Zouch Lock

Half a mile further on we passed through Redhill Flood Lock, where the gates at both ends were open as floods are not a major problem at the moment. The River Soar is much narrower than the Trent and provides a very attractive journey through isolated countryside.

The route passes through one further flood lock and ascends 3 normal ones.  2 of these were very difficult to operate with stiff paddle gear and heavy gates.  To make matters worse they  took a long time to fill because the bottom gates leaked badly.

After lunch on the move we moored for the night at Zouch (pronounce Zoch) at 14:35.

5 hours 40 minutes (including pump-out), 5 normal locks, 8.99 miles

The route passes through