Day 65: Market Harborough to Foxton.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Another beautiful start to the day, after a sleepless night. I have no idea why, but both of us did not sleep well. Once up and about, we set off down into Market Harborough to do a food shop at Aldi. On returning to the boat, whilst I put the shopping away, Keith topped our water tank up.
We got underway at 11.05 am.

Under the new bridge 14, which used to be a wooden footbridge, for those who know the old bridge and the area. It is now a road bridge into a brand new housing estate, which is still under construction.

We have always loved this stretch of the canal. It is scenic and yet has lovely trees and bridges along the route.

Back past the glue factory, with its roasting bones. It always smells of roasting meat.

We arrived at Foxton swing-bridge. I stepped off the boat to go and open it only to find it was broken when I got there. A bolt on the locking mechanism had sheared. Who ever broke it very kindly left the broken bolt and nuts on the wall! They failed to contact CRT to report it though. Keith delved into our nuts and bolts pot and soon we had made a temporarily fix with a new nut and bolt. We rang CRT to notify them of the problem and the fact that we had made a temporary fix, but they needed to check it. With that all done, we were on our way again to Foxton Locks. I so wish if people see a fault they would report it to CRT, otherwise how do they think it will get fixed?

We arrived at Foxton Locks, emptied the cassette at the elsan before going straight into the bottom lock.

Half way up the flight, we had to pull in to allow three boats to come down. This gave us time to natter to the visiting public. We got to the top at 3.15 pm and moored up, having done 6.1 miles, 2 swing bridges and 10 locks.

As a treat, we went to the cafe and got ourselves an ice cream. We know how to enjoy ourselves. Such a wonderful sunny day.

Pop back soon xxx