Friday - Day 25

Off at 7.45 for Leicester. A winding, meandering trip, negotiating fallen willows across the canal and assorted objects in the canal: a safe, a freezer, a handbag, footballs and a chair. Pete saw two jays. First two locks weren't too bad but some challenges with the current from weirs and the swirling wind. Got to the huge unprotected weir at Freeman's Meadow Lock and found it had a partial boom newly placed across some of it. It is beside Leicester City Football Club. Jan saw a moorhen surf joyously over the top of the weir and down the falling water.

As we were about to leave the lock mooring, a young woman boating solo approached, so Jan, Mike and Pete helped her through the lock, which was deep and heavy. She was going to London, picking up a friend in Wigston. Very intrepid.

On to the River Soar section, wide and lovely, then through the city bridges, feeling regal and waving to all who looked down on us... Two little girls and their mums were really excited to see the boats and waved madly, especially when Mike sounded the horn.

Huge gatherings of swans in places. Castle Gardens visitor moorings were rather small and a little shabby and we were glad we hadn't wanted to stay there. On to a more winding part of the canal, with tight twisty corners right on weirs. Saw a heron up close and personal - he had no intention of moving and stood staring at us as we passed.

In the central part of Leicester were more derelict looking buildings and graffiti, some of which was quite decorative.

One ancient lock near Frog Island had cobbles leading through a dark bridge as we exited the lock - like being back in time! Some very black, smelly and oily parts of the canal, with Romajech picking up something round the prop but, when we stopped to check it, we found it had been dislodged, so we could carry on. Pete and Mike bravely plunged their arms into the weed hatch to diagnose the problem. Heroes both!

The River Soar (we saw one city pub called Soar Point) then runs clear and looks fresh and healthy, although incredibly twisting and covered on both sides with lush growth as we left the city. We saw a party of young children in long plastic canoes being rocked quite violently by older teenagers. They were wearing life jackets and were screaming but seemingly with joy and all waved and shouted as we went past them. 

Lunch at the White Horse at Birstall, where sitting down proved how knackered we were. Great grub - thoroughly recommended! Despite everyone just wanting to sleep, we pressed on through Thurmaston Lock (a real challenge as it's on a corner and the gusting wind took the boats like sails and tried to push them over to the other side of the river). Met the guys on nb Bullrush again (we'd first met them at Kilby and then at King's Lock) who sent us on our way by offering to close the gates behind us so we didn't have to stop. Bless them!

Found the Hope and Anchor moorings, oddly just beyond the Hope and Anchor pub. Snooze time was decreed, although the boys had a beer/brandy and a natter before heading off. 

Heavy rain and dark clouds set in at about 6.30pm. We definitely had the best of the day for our travelling. Off to Pillings Lock Marina tomorrow for some electricity with plugs on!