Day 64: Foxton to Market Harborough.

Hiya Family, friends and followers.

What a brilliant day. The sun was shining and it was warm. We set off on an hours cruise into Market Harborough and moored up on the last remaining mooring. We used to do the coal run up this way for Four years and so know a lot of people here. After coffee and nattering to our neighbour, who is a lovely lady named Sally, I made us some lunch and then we headed off into the town.
Now for anyone who knows Market Harborough, you walk down a substantial hill into the town. As we walked down we were discussing the things which had change or were still the same. The last time we were here was 4 years ago and we stopped the coal run 6 years ago. There have been a few changes in the past 4 years, with businesses moving out and in. We walked down to see the gang at the local radio station Hfm. Over the years doing the coal run we spent many a happy hour doing their quizzes and joining them for events. It was brilliant to see them all and enjoyed a good old natter over coffee. There is nothing so special as a local radio station. After leaving the radio station, we had a wander around the town and did a bit of shopping. We have been looking for square plates and bowls, which will take up less room in the cupboard. Today we found what we were looking for in B&M.

They are Melamine and brilliant. Already I have more room in the cupboard. The only thing that annoyed me, was the bloomin sticky labels they put on them. They were a devil to get off. Anyway well chuffed with our new plates and dishes.
We did the charity shops as always, but did not find anything worth bothering with this time. They say what goes up must come down, in our case having walked down the hill into the town we then had to walk up it to get home. Blimey it works the old calf muscles.
This evening I am sitting with my feet up and enjoying a peaceful time before bedtime. We will see what tomorrow brings.

Pop back tomorrow xx

Day 63: A day at Foxton.

Hiya family, friends and followers.

Having enjoyed a peaceful night out side the Foxton Locks Inn. We woke to sunshine poring through the pigeon box. It was looking good for a pleasant day.
With the mooring only being a one day mooring, we decided to move off, go and wind at Debdale and moor up on the towpath, because a couple of boats had left.

All moored up, I cooked lunch and got a few jobs done.

We walked up the lock and caught up with people we know. We also popped into the Museum and had a lovely chat with Chris a boating friend who volunteers at the Museum.

Several of my photographs have been blown up and mounted and are for sale in the Museum shop. It makes me really chuffed, to see them mounted and so large, because I have never seen them blown up this large before. They can be bought from the Foxton Locks Museum.
We spent the evening in Bridge 61 with other boaters and what a brilliant evening we had. We did not get back to the boat until 10.45 pm, so a late night for us both, but a very enjoyable one.
Sunday morning dawned and the sun was out. I went out with my camera and had a natter to a few folk. When I got back to the boat Keith was chatting to our friends John and Jo who used to own Narrowboat Acen, which they sold and have a home in Market Harborough. They could not live without a boat in their life, and at the moment they have Dreamweaver which is 45 foot long, but it is up for sale on Apollo Duck and they have another boat lined up, which is 60ft long. It was so lovely to see them again and meet their new Whippet Tia. We spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon, just enjoying Sunday.

The time got on and we had eaten dinner. Keith then asked if I wanted to move closer to Market Harborough, which was fine with me. At 5.40 pm we left the mooring and set off towards Market Harborough.

With only two swing bridges to do, it was a dodall, although the road swing bridge has not gotten any easier in the years we have been away from the area, either that I have become weaker.

We cruised past the glue factory, where there is always a strong smell of cooking bones.

We moored up at Gallows Hill at 6.50 pm in the early evening sunshine. Off into Market Harborough tomorrow morning.

Pop back soon xx

Day 62: Kilby Bridge to Foxton.

Hiya Family, friends and followers.

Yay it is Friday and we woke up to no rain thumping on the roof for a nice change. It was however overcast. The plan had been to travel up the first of today's locks with a CRT work boat, but they had not arrived by 8.45 am, so we set off from our overnight mooring.

The first of 12 locks for the day.

We saw some blue sky.

And quite a lot of dark sky.

It was a pleasant run, although shallow in places and there definitely needs some cutting back to be done. The last time we came this way was some years ago and little has changed. Three locks away from Foxton we were joined by Jim and Netta on their new narrowboat GanggymStyle. A really lovely couple and we wish them well with their new boat and life afloat.

We arrived in Foxton at 4.50 pm and moored up in front of the Foxton Locks Inn. After a longish day, we decided to have a Fish and Chip dinner and a pint.
The weekend is almost here, so have a wonderful time.

Pop back soon xx

Day 61: Aylestone Lock to Kilby Bridge.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

After the deluge yesterday, this morning did not bode well with the sound of rain thumping on the roof of the back cabin. We sat in bed drinking our first brew of the day and my question was "What are we doing today?".
The answer was we were moving, which was fine by me. I am not really bothered by the weather, having cruised in everything that Mother Nature has thrown at us over the years. We once again donned our wet weather gear and set off in a heavy drizzle.

First lock of the day was at Kings Lock, where there is a tearoom, which is never open when we pass it. Mind you it was 9 am. They are open Thursdays onward and Bank Holiday Mondays. One day we will get to try out their cakes and tea.

We did a couple of locks with a CRT workboat, who were clearing the byweirs along the route. We only met them and two boats heading in the opposite direction. Due to the weather it was another quiet day, which is fine. The CRT workboat was heading to Kilby Bridge, just like us.

This annoys me.

It is a plastic cruiser chained and padlocked on the lock mooring. There is a patrol notice on it, so hopefully someone will come and move it on. Lock moorings are just that. They are only to be used, when waiting for the lock. They are NOT there is moor on for days on end. Apparently it had been there for over a week.

The weather did seem to improve a little with the heavy drizzle subsiding from time to time.

We arrived in Kilby Bridge at 12.45 pm and are moored on the 48 hour moorings for the night. The rain then stopped completely, so after a late lunch, we stowed away the anchor, chain and rope away, now that we are off the river.
Off to Foxton tomorrow.

Pop back soon xx

Day 60: Mountsorrel to Aylestone Lock.

Hiya Family, friends and followers.

Wow we are on day 60 of our Spring/Summer cruise and I would like to say it was a fabulously sunny day, but sadly I cannot. It was in fact raining from start to finish, so there are only a few photographs, because cameras and rain really do not like each other.
We left Mountsorrel at 8.35am, having discussed what we should do. The forecast was for heavy rain, which meant that the River Soar would go up in the next day or two. The decision was to push on and get off of the river. Having donned our wet gear, and got underway, the rain began to increase and I became aware that the jacket I was wearing was not waterproof as described. Still it was not cold, so once wet I was of the mind to ignore it and carry on regardless.
Due to the wet conditions, I was taking things carefully at the locks, because they were slippery in places. It was also noticeable that some of the lock gates were bloomin heavy. Keith had to help me out with one of them, because I could not shift it on my own. Before we got into Leicester, I had to change my jumper and coat because I was wet through. The donkey jacket came into use for the first time this trip. Although not waterproof, it does take a long time to get really wet and even when it is wet, you still feel warm. I put two pairs of waterproof trousers on, but decided my feet were wet so they could stay that way. I will have to dig out another pair of boots for tomorrow.

I have never really been that keen on going though Leicester, but today it was not too bad. We only saw one other boat moving and that was the charity boat Sunbeam.

The only thing moving in Leicester were the ducks and Swans.

We went past the King Power Stadium. The home of Leicester football club. It is a very impressive stadium. We were nearly off the river.
Having done 12.5 miles and worked 11 locks, we decided to stop above Aylestone Lock at 2.10pm thoroughly wet but no down or out.
Because everything was soaking wet, I had to strip off and now everything is hanging up in the back cabin to dry. I do not remember the last time we got this wet when cruising, but I am not down hearted, it was actually really enjoyable.

Pop back soon xx

Day 59: Barrow upon Soar to Mountsorrel.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Today was moving day. We woke to a sunny start and it also seemed a little warmer, having just had a cold Bank Holiday weekend. We were only doing a short cruise, so there was no need to be up and at it first thing. Leisurely getting myself organised was  definitely the way to go today.
9.20am we left our weekend mooring and headed for Barrow Boating to use the sanitary station facilities. We required water and the emptying of two cassettes. I knew the water tank was not empty, but I had done a couple of laundry washes and obviously we had showers etc. We can usually go two weeks and three weeks if I do not use the washing machine. But if we are near a water tap, I like to top us up. The tap was not the quickest, and it took us half an hour to fill the tank.

Having said "goodbye" to Barrow upon Soar, we headed off in at a sedate pace, especially whilst passing lot of moored boats. I have been amazed by the amount of widebeam boats on the River. When we did this a few years ago, there was no where near the number there are now and a lot of them look pretty new.

We have noticed a lot of Pennywort along the river. This stuff is a nightmare, because it will cover the water in a green blanket and make it very difficult to cruise through.

Having arrived in Mountsorrel, I got off the boat, by kneeing on the lock mooring. It is the only way I can get up onto the wall, because my legs are not long enough to step up.

Whilst working the lock, we had a chat to our friend Beryl. She was painting around the lock as part of her volunteering. We moored up on the visitor moorings and I got on with making us some lunch.
After lunch and a coffee, we went off for a stroll around the village. We have never had the chance before, so it was nice to finally see the village for ourselves.

The village is known for its Buttercross Market, which is in the centre of the village. The Butter Market was built in 1793 by the Lord of the Manor, Sir John Danvers, to replace the fifteenth century Market Cross, which he had removed to use on his estate in Swithland, where it still remains.

We then climbed up to the War Memorial.  The memorial was designed by Shirley Harrison,1926 to those who lost their lives in World War I and II.

The views were breathtaking. We could see for miles and miles. It was so worth the climb on what was the site of a castle many, many moons ago.

Back down we walked and into the Waterside Inn for a pint. I felt we deserved it. Mountsorrel is a pretty village, with a few shops and pretty houses and buildings.

Pop back soon xx

Day 58: Last day in Barrow upon Soar.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Bank Holiday Monday and it has been a day of doing little just for a change. Actually I am lying a little, because I can never do nothing, because it is not in my nature.
The morning began as always, come on you know the routine by now. One of these days I am going to be so darn bold and do something extraordinary, that will blow you socks off. But for now you know the morning routine.
After doing the saloon stove, I headed up into the village to the Co-op, because I needed a loaf of bread. I went the long way round and walked down to Barrow Boating and got up onto the road by the Navigation. From there you climb the hill to the roundabout and then turn right up into the centre of the village, or as the sign say's the high street. Bread bought, I then had a downhill walk back to the boat via the Barrow Deep Lock, so I had in fact done a complete circle and added to my steps for the day Yippee.
Lunch, we finished off the Sausage Casserole with dumplings and I made a bread and butter pudding from a dried out loaf. I hate throwing food away and will always try to use things up, even if it is a odd concoction.
I then spent the afternoon finishing off another doggie blanket.

The wool for the 9th blanket this year came all the way from Canada. So thank you Jackie for your donation. I am already on another blanket already as well as reading another new book. This book is by one of my favourite authors Annie Murray. The book is called Meet Me Under The Clock. I have only just started it, so I will give you my opinion in a few days.
Tomorrow we will be on the move, so I will catch you on the other side.
Have a lovely day.

Pop back soon xx

Day 57: Still in Barrow upon Soar.

Hello family, friends and followers.

Sunday, it is a relax day as far as we are concerned. We have pretty much always stayed put over a weekend and if it is a Bank Holiday, like it is now we will not move Monday either. We prefer to enjoy our weekend and let others go about their boating or other activities. So yes we are still in Barrow upon Soar. With it being a Sunday, Keith decided to yesterday book us a table at the Soar Bridge Inn for a carvery lunch. It is always so much nicer when someone else cooks your roast for you and being on a boat it can mean a hot business doing a roast oneself.
The morning brew was made at just after 7am. I was actually a sleep until a couple of people walked past the boat, saying "Good morning" to each other. That woke me from my slumber, so there was nothing for it but to make a brew. The radio went on and we sat in bed and drank our first cuppa of the day. It is on mornings like this morning when I miss Marmite our tabby cat. Because she would of either been sleeping at the bottom of the bed, or would of come bounding in and jumping on us to make extra sure that we were awake.
Once up, the fire was stoked and refueled to keep it in. There was a distinct chill in the air, when I opened the back cabin door, which means the fire will remain in for the time being.

Come 11.45am, we closed the boat up and walked a short distance to the Soar Bridge Inn. Lunch was going to be their Sunday Carvery. Today we could choose from Turkey, Beef or Gammon and were allowed two choices, so I went for the Turkey and Gammon. Keith had the Beef and Gammon. We then had to decide on vegetables. Roasted Carrots, Roasted Parsnips, Cabbage, mashed Potato, we were also given stuffing and a Yorkshire Pudding. It was a fabulous meal all washed down with a pint of beer. We even found room for a pudding afterwards. An absolutely lovely place, meal and staff, so do stop and go and give it a try if you are in Barrow upon Soar.
After enjoying such a wonderful lunch, we went back to the boat the long way round and stopped off at Barrow Boating, where we had a coffee and a chat with friends Mark and Maggie, who were down on their boat with the lovely Collie Larry.
It has been a very relaxing Sunday, just how Sundays should be. I am a bit old school over Sunday's. I still think they should be a day off, with a roast dinner and a pint in the pub before lunch. There would be no shops open either, but that is just me. I think we have lost our way in this country in a lot of ways and working and shopping Sundays is one of them, but that is just my opinion.

Pop back soon xx