Arrived at Foxton Locks and booked in with the friendly and organised lock keeper. He checked we knew what we were doing and then, as we were in third place, we found it was not long before we were off!
Foxton Locks - ten locks in two 'staircases'
Not really prepared for the huge number of gongoozlers, both young and old, who accompanied us down the two staircases. We were watched with fascination as the boats descended the first staircase. One little boy and his daddy followed us quite a long way, with William (the little boy) helping close and open lock gates. He was thrilled to be part of the process.
Finally, the bottom lock was reached, and a quick reminder to Mike to turn left on to the Leicester part of the Grand Union... Romajech moored up for some well-earned lunch and refreshment. Mike managed to knock my glove into the canal just before mooring up and two kind chaps brought out a telescopic landing net and retrieved it for me, bless them. Very tasty Sunday roast at the Foxton Locks pub. Back to relax for the afternoon but moved down the canal a little way after two hire boats moored next to us and we realised they were full of drunken stag participants. Most of whom could not stand independently.
Found a more peaceful mooring and were greeted by a dear little black cat (with white front paws) who pottered about beside us. He spent a happy night practising his tap dancing moves on the top of the boat but was nowhere to be seen the next morning.
Blue Adeline spent the morning at Crick finishing chores, then set off negotiating the very sharp and tight exit out of the marina in a 10-point turn. Effective but hardly elegant.
The Leicester Section is very rural, passing through fields and woods and has an overgrown aspect in places with rushes, reeds and trees growing far out into the canal. In places, we had to slow right down and nose forward, cautiously keeping alert for other boats.
There aren't locks in this part of the route, instead the canal winds to and fro following the contour. Nor are there villages very near to the canal - travelling here we feel far from habitation.
It's a good job we stocked up. We found a good mooring by a shady hedge and ate a tasty 'cut stew' for dinner from leftover chicken, chorizo and potatoes. Recipe: soften chopped onion, garlic and sweet or ordinary potato in a pan with olive oil. Add a can of chopped tomatoes, a can of butter beans, leftover chicken and if you have some, chopped leftover sausage or chorizo. Add paprika if you like it, plus some stock then simmer for 20 mins or so. Eat with bread or rice. Recommended after a hard day's locking up or down.
Finally, the bottom lock was reached, and a quick reminder to Mike to turn left on to the Leicester part of the Grand Union... Romajech moored up for some well-earned lunch and refreshment. Mike managed to knock my glove into the canal just before mooring up and two kind chaps brought out a telescopic landing net and retrieved it for me, bless them. Very tasty Sunday roast at the Foxton Locks pub. Back to relax for the afternoon but moved down the canal a little way after two hire boats moored next to us and we realised they were full of drunken stag participants. Most of whom could not stand independently.
Found a more peaceful mooring and were greeted by a dear little black cat (with white front paws) who pottered about beside us. He spent a happy night practising his tap dancing moves on the top of the boat but was nowhere to be seen the next morning.
Blue Adeline spent the morning at Crick finishing chores, then set off negotiating the very sharp and tight exit out of the marina in a 10-point turn. Effective but hardly elegant.
Blue Adeline at Crick Marina
The Leicester Section is very rural, passing through fields and woods and has an overgrown aspect in places with rushes, reeds and trees growing far out into the canal. In places, we had to slow right down and nose forward, cautiously keeping alert for other boats.
There aren't locks in this part of the route, instead the canal winds to and fro following the contour. Nor are there villages very near to the canal - travelling here we feel far from habitation.
It's a good job we stocked up. We found a good mooring by a shady hedge and ate a tasty 'cut stew' for dinner from leftover chicken, chorizo and potatoes. Recipe: soften chopped onion, garlic and sweet or ordinary potato in a pan with olive oil. Add a can of chopped tomatoes, a can of butter beans, leftover chicken and if you have some, chopped leftover sausage or chorizo. Add paprika if you like it, plus some stock then simmer for 20 mins or so. Eat with bread or rice. Recommended after a hard day's locking up or down.
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