Wednesday 8 June 2011

Foxton to Fleckney.

IMG_0029 Rainbow Bridge 62

We had hot drinks while we waited to descend Foxton Locks and were ushered down by two new volunteer lock keepers who were being trained. Apparently they have eleven volunteers lined up here. It took about three quarters of an hour to get to the bottom, where we stopped by Rainbow Bridge to use the services and to go into Bridge 61 Bar for a snack. As it had been raining the place was packed with people who had dived in to avoid getting wet. As Oakfield cruised slowly along into Debdale Marina for diesel we saw a Muntjack on the towpath. Onwards then through Saddington Tunnel. The canal is rather overgrown with reeds in places and rather too high to moor on the other side of the tunnel. Anyway we managed to find some Armco at B73 which is a nice quiet mooring place with good signals.

After perusing our Leicestershire bus map we found that a bus ran from the Fleckney into Leicester. This was only a short walk away over two fields. So we decided to bus into the city, then we wouldn’t have to moor there. We are glad we did as we weren't that impressed with the mish-mash of old and new buildings all spread out.

IMG_0001 Leicester   IMG_0003

We strolled around the busy Market to buy fresh vegetables and had a snack in Wetherspoon’s in the old Corn Exchange. On coming out we found we had missed a downpour of rain.

IMG_0004 Sports Sculpture

We liked this Sports Sculpture.

IMG_0005 Fleckney Topiary

On our return the bus went through another heavy storm. Back in Fleckney we popped into the well stocked Co-Op for a few things, then made our way back passed this lovely Topiary. The field path to the canal is just through the gate beyond. Ahhh, how nice it is to be on board for a well earned rest and a cuppa. Someone is still turning the rain on and off.

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