So, we're sitting beside Bella in our deck chairs, look up and see...a swan family! We've seen this family before, but never out of the water and near so many people. There are several privileges to having this patch of earth as our home for a small while, but this one was utterly unexpected!
We set out to a murky but warm day, preparing to stop at Debdale for fuel. But a boat hull was being steamed and there was no room, so we glided by. We got to Foxton bottom intending to moor there for the week. But all the 14 day moorings were full, so Pete booked in to rise up the 10 locks to the top pound.
The weather started to get worse, with blustery wind and tiny showers, but it was still warm. We had occasional chats with gongoozlers, lockies and bank staff and thoroughly enjoyed the flight. We were delighted to have permission to moor again at our dear top lock mooring, opposite the Lock Keepers Cottage and the opposite side from the towpath. A little bit of heaven for our last few days of holiday.
Oh, and within the half hour after mooring, the heavens opened!
We set out from Foxton and went north on the Leicester Arm, deciding to turn just before Saddington tunnel. We love tunnels, but we need to be back in Foxton to make trains and work for next week. We're in a Site of Special Scientific Interest and it's stunning. What a privilege to catch the aroma of cedar, then to turn to see fragrant cedar trees. Dragonflies have darted on and off the boat, Moorhenlets have squeaked as we've cruised by and it has been a joy to see the clearer water. So far we've missed the rain, but we've seen it!
We're in Foxton for a moment or two, taking on water and putting off waste. Here's Pete, Bella and Josie; Jose's head tucks out of the bedhole between the gas lockers on deck.
We loved Market Harborough's Union Wharf at night. Such magic! But with the morning came boat change over for the hire fleet and its associated noise and movement. So after Elizabeth ironed yesterday's cleaned linens and Pete checked the fan belt (do forgive the unusual gender stereotyping), we set out to a lovely morning.
This is magic. It reminds us so much of when we were on the Rose Emily in Bristol. Then, like now, we're on our own space in the middle of this hive of beauty and activity. Old industrial units in the heyday of canal transport have become homes and retail business units, a new kind of industry for new times. It is a magic atmosphere and we're delighted to be here.
We woke to an overcast day today, anticipating rain in the afternoon. We set out into Foxton top lock with Pete at the tiller, ready to pass over to Elizabeth for the top half of this set of five step locks - 10 in all, dropping 75 feet. Elizabeth loves driving out of the top lock and the picture shows why. It seems that the whole Leicestershire countryside becomes visible through the open gates. Just magic.
We went down the first set of five steps, then waited in the cross over pound for three boats to finish ascending the bottom set of five. Then we went down, this time with Pete at the tiller, ready for his awesome turn on a sixpence to go to the Market Harbourough arm. Elizabeth had readied the swing bridge for the grand entry.
The 5 and a bit miles took us through one more swing bridge, spectacular countryside, canal reeds and lush canal vegetation. We even had a Kingfisher for company!
We moored up at Union Wharf, Market Harborough, just before 2pm. And just in time for the rain!
The other picture is the delicate fern on the inside lock wall at Foxton.
Having become bored with watching Gongoozlers, Elizabeth decided that it was time to brighten Bella's name
