More Boating Dogs.

   

Molly, a Cockerpoo called Biscuit with a soft velvety coat, and Rhoda who was a real poser!

Around Foxton.

      

We bought some bread flour in Market Harborough and it has made a wonderful tasty loaf with a crisp crust, yum. On walking around the village there are some really lovely properties with beautifully kept gardens and strange signs.

Market Harborough 2

  

We walked into town for a supermarket sweep with our trolleys and lunch in ‘spoons of course! We had showers and did a couple of loads of washing, then we refilled our water tank. The moorings here are all 48hrs, so as the weather was supposed to be wet next day pm we left early in the morning. There was a shy new foal suckling in the field just on the outskirts of MH. When we came to a nice open spot just beyond Foxton Stepbrigde 6 we moored up and lit the fire as it was chilly and also to dry the washing. Next day we did boat cleaning duties, then I went walking along to Foxton Locks in the afternoon.

       

Monday we trotted over the bridge up through the field to catch the 44 into MH for a couple of things we’d forgotten. We were glad that this bus is still running hourly as there were discussions about discontinuing it last time we were here. Hurrah for the local people who most probably saved the bus route to Foxton. There is a grand building beside St Marys Place with a carved stone Peacock below the chimney. Another interesting place stands next to the Cross in the Market Square. The old timber framed building next to the church was all covered up undergoing renovation. Rain had been forecast for most of this week so we’ve been wearing our wet weather jackets. Luckily they are lightweight as the days have been quite sunny, however it has rained, but mostly overnight. It’s nice to be out in the sticks with only the sound of the occasional plane soaring overhead to spoil things.

Market Harborough.

  

It turned out to be a lovely sunny cruise to moor up beside a water-tap just before MH basin. Even the ducks were dozing in the warmth of the sun.

  

In the basin there were some Canal-time boats moored ready to go out on hire and people sat enjoying the view. If you click on the last pic you will see the super motorbike rack welded on the back of the blue boat. As they passed by they asked where they could fill up with diesel. Debdale is the nearest we replied, about 6-7 miles away, hope they can make it!

Otter.

  

It was 5.30 am when I heard an Otter call and swirling water sounds around our boat. I went to look out of the side hatch and sure enough it had caught a fish and hid in the reeds opposite to eat it noisily. It then emerged and swam off along the canal. It was our first sighting of an otter during our 4 1/2 years aboard Oakfield. I would be interested to know if any other boaters have seen them too? Anyway we were up early and decided to pull the pins, then cruise along to the top of Foxton Locks ready to descend. We passed Chertsey moored on the arm, the central white dot is the swan on her nest. We made hot drinks on board and ate hot bacon and mushroom rolls from the Cafe for our breakfast, yum! Then we booked in with the nice volunteer lockkeeper. As I emptied the top lock a Robin was stood on the side and he dipped down several times to snatch ‘breakfast’ from the wet  lock walls.

  

Tucked in-between the bricks of a lock wall was a Yellow Wagtail’s nest. Amazing venue really considering the disruption caused by all the boats using the locks. We were the only boat on the flight, just the way we like it. I asked the locky how many boats had used the locks over the 4 day Easter period. He said 20 on Friday, Sunday and Monday and 25 on Saturday, gosh a total of 85. He also said that the most they had  ever handled there on any one day was 45. Once down the locks the Cabin Boy hovered in the basin while I disposed of our rubbish, then opened the little swing bridge for him. Looking towards bridge 61 we could see the new trip boat Harry Stevens on it’s mooring. Hmm, it looks a bit wider than old Vagabond doesn’t it? We were now on the Market Harborough Arm of the Grand Union Leicester Line. The next swing bridge was the road bridge which I opened then took a picture of Oakfield coming through. Just look at that lovely big new house on the right. Don’t think that was there when we came this way 2 years ago, luvly jubbly!