Friday 8/5 Smeeton Westerby to Union Wharf, Market Harborough

Awoke to a beautiful sunny morning. We had a lazy start as we didn't have far to travel. Tim, very happy with the outcome of the election, took himself for a long walk along the towpath to encourage his innards to behave as they still haven't become accustomed to the weird and wonderful functioning of a narrowboats evacuation system. We pulled the pins about 9.30 and travelled for about an hour before out first stop, just before the Foxton Junction, for a water fill.

We then turned into the normally busy junction, to luckily find it empty as we hovered, indecisively, temporarily geographically embarrassed until we worked out which branch to take. The correct route was barred by a pedestrian swing bridge, something we had not yet encountered. Lawrence, once again, showed his skill - to a disappointingly small crowd of onlookers - by reversing in a straight line and then gliding Aqualife gently into the bank so Mike and I could get off and deal with the swing bridge, which involed the use of a CART key, and a couple of levers before we could swing the bridge out of the way. Luckily Mike was with me to work out the order in which things were to be done.

Looking back on the swing bridge and Foxton Junction behind the bridge.

A little while later we moored up at the edge of Foxton Village to have an early lunch and await the arrival of the Aqua Narrowboat lads to attend to the leaking radiator and the unknown leak in the main bedroom. Lunch was, now I am not going to spell these correctly, spanakopitas and baklavas that Tim and Mike purchased at the farm shop they walked to yesterday. Yummy

The Aqua lads arrived just as we finished lunch and the leaking radiator was swiftly death with. The damp patch on the bedroom carpet took a little more investigation and some dismantling of walls and lots of bums up and heads down to find the problem. Turned out to be a leaking valve delivering flush water to the loo. Job done, the boys had a cup of tea with us and heard about our adventures so far. And luckily they did, Lynden heard the water pump cycling and went to investigate and found the loo about to overflow - not a pleasant thought and it didn't do anything for Tim's feelings about our bathroom facilities! The solinoid in the new valve was faulty, so the clever lads made a new valve out of the good bits of the old valve and the good bits of the new faulty valve and with some more bums up and heads down (one must be a contortionist to do maintenance on a narrowboat) and voila I have dry carpet beside my bed and a perfectly functioning loo.

The Aqua team departed and we were soon on our way again, shortly to be confronted by another swing bring, this time a road bridge. So not only were keys and levers involved, we had to stop the traffic and swing barriers across the road. Once again Mike was invaluable, deciphering the instructions for me. The arm to Market Harborough is a contour canal, so we had glimpses through the hedgerow, as we motored along, of the beautiful valley of the River Welland spread out below us.

I had some more,steering practice and as the arm is quite narrow, with reedy margins and is very twisty and turny as it snakes it's way around the contour of a hill I am very happy to report I managed to stick to the middle of the canal without any close encounters with the reeds and managed to get around some very tight turns unscathed, and through a couple of bridge holes without mishap. Mind you I didn't encounter anyone coming the other way.

MH is a prosperous town and unlike Leicester, MH values the canal and we passed some well kept and very attractive gardens, some were very formal, others, very carefully planned au natural and everything else in between, on the approach to town.

For Betty, first bluebells we have seen.

 Mike and Tim were in their element, identifying plants, oohing an aahing over some gardens and dismissing others. All along this stretch are 7 day and 48 hour linear moorings for visiting boats. But they weren't for us. I had ignored Lawrence and booked us into the wharf, I wasn't going to pass up the luxury of electricity and water on tap plus access to loos, showers, rubbish bins etc, but alas, no laundromat. Plus the taxi can pull up 10 metres from the boat to take Tim and Mike and their luggage to the station when they leave us tomorrow.

We reached the end of the arm and Union Wharf and Lawrence neatly deposited me on the services mooring to go and find out where to moor. To reach our mooring Lawrence was required to spin Aqualife through 360o and back into our mooring! which he did seamlessly without touching another a boat and with only the gentlest of touches to our pontoon? Heads always pop out of boats when hire boats are required to do tricky manoeuvres - my hero left them disappointed! Our mooring for the next two nights.

After getting ourselves settled and in our guests case finding out where the real loos were, we researched train timetables and then wandered down into the town centre, about a 10 min walk. It was quite disconcerting to be walking down hill into a town -most times one walks uphill into a village or town from the canal - until it is remembered that this arm is built along a contour. We checked out the restaurants for our farewell dinner and noted important landmarks such as the butcher and baker for restocking tomorrow. We had a happy farewell dinner and wandered back to the boat reminiscing about our adventure together. I am pretty sure we have nb converts in Mike and Tim.

Big day today: 7mls, 0 locks, 2 swing bridges in 3 hours.

Thursday 7/5 Double Rail Lock to Smeeton Westerby

Awoke to a lovely morning. First job, to heat the chocolate croissants purchased the day before from Birstall. Second job which fell to Tim and Mike as Lawrence was still sleeping off the effects of his man flu, which luckily has turned out to be a cold, still it is a man cold, Lawrence reminds me. back to the second job, fixing the rear fender which had become somewhat unhinged when Aqualife had a little disagreement with a lock gate. Lawrence arose and we left our mooring at 8.00am and did 2 locks in quick succession and shortly arrived at Kilby Bridge where there are CART services (Canal and River Trust - the body responsible for the upkeep of the canal system throughout England). We pulled up to fill with water, empty the bins and for our newbie boaters Mike and Tim to take advantage of 'normal' loos and showers. As we were finishing filling up a boat pulled in to also top upwith water, so we waited for them at the next lock so we could do them together.

The other boat was also a hire boat, crewed by a Dutch couple who were on their 9th English narrowboat hire, this time doing the Leicester Ring in two weeks. Marguerite (have no idea of the Dutch spelling, or even if I pronounced it correctly), Tim/Mike and I shared the lock work together, lock wheeling, where possible for the next 7 locks , in a mixture of rain and sunshine, through some lovely countryside - Leicester seemed a million miles away, but in reality was only about 10 miles behind us.

Following then Dutch couple along the canal

 we parted company with them when we stopped for and early lunch near Wistow, where, after lunch Mike and Tim took a walk through the fields to the Wistow Farm Shop, whilst Lawrence had a healing snooze and I had a lovely read in the sun. When the lads returned from the expedition bearing some yummy bounty we cast off and faced the remaining locks of the day. Ground paddles open

Gate paddles opened

Lock nearly filled

Tim and Mike did the last few locks of the day unsupervised. Just as they are about to leave us.

And giving me the opportunity to steer the boat - at Lawrence's insistence.  I must confess a bit of ricocheting took place.

We went through our first tunnel of this trip. Saddington Tunnel, a pipsqueak at 881 yards long

Still, it was a bit creepy

We tied up approx.1 mile after the tunnel at 6.20pm (15 miles from Leicester).  Lawrence got out the BBQ we purchased. Betty and Geoff, here is one for you. A sad man and his BBQ.

Needless to say the snags from the farm shop needed finishing off under the griller. Katie has since emailed BBQ instructions, so next effort should be better. Last pic our mooring for the night, chosen, not so much for the view as for the television reception. Lawrence retired after dinner not sure whether from effects of man cold or depression caused by the lack of success with the BBQ .

We discovered a 2nd damp patch in the boat tonight, so a call to the hire co. Is in order tomorrow.

Election Day here in the UK today, so we have to suffer Tim yelling at the telly tonight.

8miles 14 locks 6 hrs

Wednesday 6/5 Junction Lock to Double Rail Lock, GUC Leicester Section

We left the River Wreake not long after setting off at 8.30am. Having being told that Leicester is not very welcoming to boaters and there is only one safe mooring spot with space for only 4 boats, and the next safe spot was 8 hours boating away, we thought we might be in for a long day. And so it proved. The wind was wilder than Tuesday BUT the water levels were dropping back into the safe zone. We chugged through some pretty areas

And passed some bullcolic countryside and returned to the River Soar before hitting the outskirts of Leicester at the same time as the rain came down. Soon we were into the old industrial heartland of Leicester 

which,from the centre out, are slowly being revamped into offices and flats. We passed the safe moorings (gated from the public and looking bleak and cheerless; so different from Chester) but there was only one small spot left and the wind was against us, so on we went.

The wind continued to gain strength, and on the southern outskirts of Leicester, luckily at a particularly wide stretch of River the nb Aqualife was blown across the River after dropping Tim and I off at the lock landing. Lawrence did two complete 360's as the wind gusts caught him as he struggled to bring the boat under control. He didn't panic, and after the second 360, the instant the boat was pointing in the direction of the lock he 'put the wellie down', came screaming into the lock, slammed into reverse and came to a halt before hitting the end of the lock.  Yay Lawrence - my hero.

The wind and rain continued all afternoon. The wind in particular slowing our progress severely, several times we proceeded down the River crabwise - the only way to stop being pushed into the bank. Also slowing us down was that the locks through Leicester and as far as miscreant youths reach into the countryside were locked and had to be unlocked before you could work the winding systems.

Unfortunately Lawrence had woken with a sore throat in the morning which got worse as the day progressed. We still hadn't reached the next so called 'safe' mooring at 6.40pm when Lawrence had to call it a day, but at least we were out of Leicester and into the countryside. So here we are, moored up in the middle of nowhere again.

Lawrence, bless his little heart because he is still my hero after the days exploits; it was harder going than Tuesday, went to bed after mooring up and went into manflu mode, saying he is terminal and demanding much attention. 

We will have to see how he is in the morning. So today we did in 10 hours 16miles, 15 locks.

Tuesday 5/5 Barrow upon Soar to the middle of nowhere

This is my second attempt at today's blog. My first attempt, nearly finished was filled with drama and excitement (all true) and would have had you sitting on the edge of your chairs. But having pressed the wrong button and lost it, and after the consequent wobbly, you are going to get a condensed version.

Today was horrible. Only covered half the expected distance. Rising wind and river levels and the captain's "don't you worry about that" we're causing me to get increasingly anxious.

Whilst sharing a lock with the only other boat we had seen on the move, the husband who was working the lock with me advised that we get through the next 2 locks and moor up as the wind gusts were expected to reach 28mph+ in the next hour or so.

So with my levels of anxiety rising with the strength of the wind gusts as Lawrence found it increasingly hard to keep the boat under control, we finally moored up in still water after getting through Junction Lock. After a cup of tea and much deliberation and a few 'don't you worry about that"'s, it was decided to push on. Luckily, for my anxiety level had reach sub hysterical, a huge gust of wind just as we were undoing the mooring ropes changed the captains mind and here we have stayed for the night. Only 1 more boat has come past us late this afternoon, experienced boaters who were pushing on to their home mooring, who said it was horrible going and they had nearly given up a couple of times.

Today we did 5 miles, 4 locks in 2 hours. No pics of us on the move today, too fraught to even think of taking any.

After a light lunch Tim, Mike and I walked along the towpath 

to see if we could find any signs of civilization, we found a lone pub about 25 mins walk away where we had a lovely coffee. 

Neighbours, we could do with one of these. On our walk back to Aqua Life we debated if the spill weir levels had increased

Just before dark Lawrence went out to check the ropes and 

Came back in too cold to disrobe immediately. I know, I know, we need a bit of Rhondaising, but we have been boat bound since 1.00pm

P.S.  I'm thinking I might have to make some pumpkin scones.

P.P.S. Tim made us a lovely dinner tonight -  quiche and salad, followed by Apple pie and cream.

Monday 4/5 Shardlow to Barrow upon Soar

Big day. We left Shardlow, going past Chapel Farm Marina

at 8.00am. Next work out was Sawley Flood lock, normally open, but closed when the river level rises into the 'Amber'. They were closed! Worry wort immediately became anxious; the skipper was doing a Joh - don't you worry about that - amber means proceed with caution. Words hardly likely to soothe the nerves. 

By the by the lock woman was right. The lock gates are huge and heavy and some of the paddle gear is nearly impossible to wind. Thank god for Tim and Mike. The next lock after the Sawley flood lock was the Sawley duplicated locks (electric and manned) which let you down onto the River Trent proper. Exiting the huge duplicated locks

And out onto the River Trent with the River Derwent coming in on the left

 both looking rather full. Don't you worry about it, says Lawrence!! After awhile we turned southish onto the River Soar which became an altogether more intimate affair

 But the level warnings at the following locks were still nudging the amber. (Don't you worry about that). However we did pass some beautiful scenery. Below is an example of a couple of bits of eye candy

we encountered on our journey. We kept pushing on, trying to get up River as far as possible in case conditions deteriorated. We pushed on through Kegworth (shop, restaurants, pubs and other forms of civilisation)

Past Zouch (nice pub), past Normanton on Soar (shops, pub), through Loughborough (museums, a still working bell foundry where 'Great Paul' was cast for St Paul's Cathedral in 1881, good moorings, lots of restaurants etc etc) finally finding an overnight mooring Barrow upon Soar which had a couple of pubs. In all we did 17 miles, 8 locks in 10 hours. I forgot to say on Sunday we did 11 miles, 4 locks in 4 hrs.

Another change of plan

We've changed plans once again. Yesterday, during our handover cruise, Lynden waxed lyrical on the charms of the River Soar and he soon had Lawrence beguiled. So after Tim and Mike arrived, somewhat late due to taking a wrong exit and having to some circle work and scenic touring to regain the route, settling them in and a quick bite of lunch, we then reversed out of our mooring (aqua life is the middle boat)

And headed out of the marina 

And turned left toward Swarkestone and Shardlow. Our first lock of the day was manned by volunteer lock keepers. It was a huge double lock and you could see the lock keepers straining to open the paddles. I asked the advice of the female keeper, she said turn back, that this was the only manned lock and they were all hard.

Approaching the lock, and in the lock waiting for the water level to fall so we can exit out under the bridge

Out from under the bridge we come

No more photos of locks because for the remainder I was busy training up our 'crew'. 

Our mooring tonight at the delightful village of Shardlow and so,e ducklings and blossoms on the way to dinner. And the converted warehouse where we had dinner

Off for a last chigger and to check the. Mooring ropes.

Slight change of plan

Friday morning woke up to a lovely morning

We left Lock House at 6.45am for our journey to Stourport for our Helmsmans course. The first part of our journey was slightly fraught as the lady with the nice voice temporarily deserted us and Lawrence reverted to yelling at me instead of her. However with some desperate button pushing she suddenly returned to us and tensions were relieved.

We arrived at the Stourport Basin in good time (which translates as I had time for a couple of fags) to meet Rod Fox our instructor for the day and to be given a tour of his boat on which we were undertaking our instruction. We were soon underway and Lawrence's first task was negotiate out of the Stourport Basin

Which involved navigating 3 really tight corners - any mistake meant the ignomy bashing into moored boats, many with their owners on board. I was so proud of him, he handled it like a pro. We then proceeded up through a lock onto the Staff &Worcs canal where we spent the morning teaching me to steer (much harder than it looks - a momentary lapse of concentration and we were heading towards the bank; physically also - my shoulders are still aching. So Geoff, I have new respect for your and Lawrence's last year). Winding (turning the boat around) and reversing (the hardest of them all as the boat has no steering going backward).

We had a 20 min lunch break, Rod was a hard taskmaster, and then it was back down through the lock with me steering - only one teeny bump, was very chuffed. I quailed at negotiating the basin, so it was back to Lawrence who once again handled it like a pro.

we then had to negotiate a double set of staircase locks down onto the River Severn where I had more steering and winding experience and we both had to take the boat through this huge lock

Then back up the Severn with some man overboard practice. Rod was disappointed that neither Lawrence nor I were prepared to throw ourselves off the back of the boat, so we had to save a bucket and buoy instead. We won lots of brownie points as I didn't run over bucket man and managed to steer close enough so Lawrence could hook him and heave him on board and administer CPR!

We returned back up thru the double staircase locks and back to the mooring and got these

Got back to Lock House at 9.30pm absolutely knackered, so yesterday we decided not to leave Mercia marina and wait here for Tim and mike to join us on Sunday. Justin and linden at Aqua Narrowboats were fantastic -friendly and really helpful. Linden took us on our handover cruise. And we learnt a whole lot more from him. Linden is a master reverser and happily passed on some tips to us.

Report on our first night on board later.