Onwards to Foxton

Sunday 3 June

It was another beautiful morning, a glorious day, in fact. After breakfast and a walk into the village for the paper, at 9.30 we were ready to go and reversed onto the water point. By 10 we were filled up and on our way. We’d half planned to go as far as the junction with the Welford Arm, but decided to see how far we’d got by lunchtime. There are a number of places along this section where a combination of Armco piling and a decent depth make them popular for casual overnight mooring.

By 12.30 we were at Bridge 36, with at least another half hour to the Welford Arm, so we stopped. There were a number of other boats tied on this length, so it felt friendly without being crowded.

After lunch, a certain amount of dedicated towpath sitting was indicated. Actually, this means that Sheila sits and crochets, whilst I read the paper. A couple of Americans from the Canaltime some way behind us came past after my guilt had driven me inside to do the blog. They were after two pieces of information. Firstly they wanted to know why their boat was called Wendy of Freeth – answer, it’s a Canaltime. Secondly, they wanted to walk to the nearest village. Sheila dug out the Philips Navigator atlas that gives more widespread coverage than any of the canal guides. She showed them how to get to South Kilworth, but couldn’t guarantee that there would be a shop there.

After I’d done the email and blog, we changed places (not that I did any crochet), so that Sheila could do the monthly check on the finances. The Americans came back, well pleased with their walk. They’d found a pub, but no shop in the village.

It being a sunny afternoon, tea was taken on the towpath. We had a salad for dinner, then I watched an episode of Blakes 7 in the study while Sheila read in the saloon. If we’d both wanted to watch the video, I’d have moved the laptop and screen into the saloon – two people sitting on the side berth to watch in the study is a bit uncomfortable.

Monday 4 June

The weather didn’t look so good today, with a cloudy, almost milky sky that was either low cloud or high mist. The radio forecast was quite promising, however, so we set off at 9, hoping it would burn off.

Wendy of Freeth passed us just before this, explaining that they had a date with the Canaltime engineer to sort out a slipping drive belt. Sure enough, there he was waiting at the next bridge – Canaltime do seem to give good support to their novice boaters.

We made a steady chug to Foxton, along a beautiful bit of canal, though it’s become more overgrown and reedy since last year. The weather stayed frustratingly cloudy, occasionally beginning to brighten up, then going rather chilly again.

At 11.50 we arrived at Foxton Top. I’ll give an account of the Foxton Locks next time, when we actually go down them. Meanwhile, it’s enough to say that they are one of the more remarkable spots on the system, and a honeypot for local tourists, especially at the weekends. BW have recently been undertaking a number of changes designed to improve the tourists’ experience, with the usual concerns being expressed by those more interested in preserving the heritage of an unusual place.

We bought bread in the little shop at the bottom of the flight, and had lunch. Afterwards we did the tourist bit, walking round the site to see the remains of the inclined plane which worked here just 100 years ago, including a visit to the small but charming museum. I took some photos, and we went back to the boat.

Sheila then improved the shining hour by shining the brass, or some of it – my elbow is much better, but still not quite right, so a premature return to polishing duties would risk a relapse. At least that’s what Sheila says, and I’m not going to argue. Well, not much, anyway.