Lazy days at Welford and Foxton.

We decided to spend a few easy days on this peaceful stretch of canal and make the most of it. Friday morning was bright and still and we enjoyed the run up to Welford Junction, sharing the steering and dog walking as we went. We turned onto the Welford Arm which we haven't done for about three years, and soon were at the end on what is the highest point of The Grand Union Canal. We used the services and walked into the village to do a bit of shopping. By the time we got back, the skies darkened and the rain soon followed and so we decided to stay put. 

Welford Lock

It seemed as though everyone else had the same idea and by late afternoon there wasnt a mooring spot to be had. We ended up having a meal in the Wharf Inn - a good old boating pub if ever there was !!

Mooring at a premium at Welford. 

We had a meeting arranged with our friends Chris and Gratz on Saturday at Foxton around midday, so we left in the drizzle in good time, enjoying breakfast on the move. We only met three or four boats on the run to Foxton and couldn't quite believe how quiet it was when we arrived. We met up as arranged and enjoyed a drink and chat on the boat before we decided to descend the flight. We were able to go straight in and the lock keepers happily did all the paddles (probably to stave off the boredom of there being hardly any boats) whilst Louise and Chris did the gates and Gratz and I put the world to rights on the rear deck and discussed our respective retirement plans (she's got 11 days more to do than me which I kept reminding her of)

The obligatory Foxton snap

We had a very nice light lunch in the Bridge 61 pub, another proper boaters pub, and a very nice pint of Langtons Inclined Plane before Chris and Gratz joined us up as far as Debdale before we said our goodbyes. We continued on and were joined by an abundance of kingfishers. We must have seen five in the short time it took us to reach Fleckney where we moored just before Kibworth Top Lock for the night.

Today we have travelled down as far as Kilby Bridge. We did the trip with nb Tombee Too and crew David and Sheena. It made the trip very enjoyable and made light work of the locks. Unfortunately the weather gradually deteriorated, although the promised rain didn't materialise as badly as predicted, but the wind was difficult at times. 

The medieval church at Wystowe

Tomorrow we will travel with them again as we head through Leicester. It will be a first for us to travel through the city by boat and although we know it is a long day ahead of us we are quite looking forward to the challenge.