Welford Junction

Before we set off we completed a number of services - firstly buying a newspaper from the local store and finding a post box and then the usual elsan, water and rubbish, all of which were conveniently to hand from our over-night mooring. Finally we made sure that we were disconnected from the electricity supply and so almost ready to set off.

At this point Mike decided on one last operation, greasing the rudder, a new item on our weekly list. Alas, a problem developed with the new grease gun (it has to be admitted that we are not exactly experienced or expert at this piece of equipment!) and so our departure was set back another ten minutes whilst Mike failed to re-assemble the device. However, for the record, this was achieved later in the day!

It was a straightforward run back to Foxton, although there were a couple of stops to allow Christine to harvest some bullrushes. Sadly they did not turn out to be as good for decoration as she had imagined! Foxton Swing - reputedly very hard to operate - is under repair so no problem today! This time Christine operated the bridge at the junction - once she worked out how to lift the locking handle.

This time there was no delay at the locks, save only for Christine to walk up the hill to check in with the lock keeper. By the time we were working the last couple of locks a party of school children out on a trip from Leicester arrived - they were delighted to be given the opportunity for some to open gates and to wind the paddles - as well as ask quite a few questions!

At the top we pulled into the moorings for lunch. Afterwards we walked back to the site of the former inclined plane. Although there is supposed to be a restoration project there was little sign of this other than to keep down the undergrowth so that it is possible to see clearly where the lift once ran up the hill. New stop gates have been installed on the arm to the lift to protect the long summit pound in the event of a serious leakage from the old workings.

By now the promised clear skies had arrived (or should we say, that the clouds had departed!) and it was generally pleasantly warm until the sun began to set. We passed three boats coming the other way in Husbands Bosworth Tunnel. We had planned to over-night at Welford but we were a little behind schedule and also needed to replenish our fuel tank. At North Kilworth they were just about to shut up for the night but were happy to sell us whatever we could pay for in cash! At least that will keep us going for another few days.

Rather than risk not finding a good mooring and satellite line of view, we moored at the junction of the Welford Arm where there was a good edge to the towpath and no trees in the way!