Newton Harcourt

Today's Canal - Grand Union Leicester Arm

We aimed to get as far as we could towards Foxton. We are expected to get to Milton Keynes to meet Mike late Friday afternoon. Rather a tall order?

Leicester to Foxton is 24 locks in 15 miles, all broad locks, not easy to operate, paddles or gates, with only the last few close together. To Kilby Bridge, they are all, halfway in distance and locks- you guessed it - spaced about three-quarters of a mile apart, all quite hard work. So no time to relax, go and read the paper, even wash and tidy up. Coffee was however squeezed in as essential!

As it was we did 19 locks, the last few in just-about groups, and about 11 miles. Beyond Newton Harcourt Andrew spied a good mooring site, attractive view across the valley, piling to moor against - and a good open possibility to get a TV signal!

We did start off quite late from Leicester- almost 10 o'clock. Christine had not woken up promptly, then Andrew went off to find a newspaper, taking longer than he might, having decided he wanted to buy some croissants. Christine went for a wander round the attractive well-landscaped Castle gardens.

Walkies?

Off at last out of Leicester. In fact it feels very urban then suburban,past Glen Parva right until the other side of South Wigston. It was reasonably pleasant, plenty of people walking the towpath with their dogs, all the autumn colours on the trees, berries on the hedgerows, fallen leaves on towpath and in the canal. The navigation parted company with the River Soar near Aylestone, passing for example the rather fearsome weir near the Leicester football Ground.



Leicester City Football Ground and Freemans Meadow Weir

There was little traffic in the other direction: we saw only two boats in the whole day.

Late summer roses at Kilby Bridge

We stopped at Kilby Bridge, the only possibility for the sanitary services and water. Beyond is very rural and we had four locks together, then three before we moored.

Newton Harcourt Church in distance

We felt very well exercised! At least it wasn't windy or wet today, though rather cooler than yesterday!

10.8 miles - 11 locks