Narrowboat Annie: The Leicester Line

Mon 5 Oct Singlehanded to Kilby Bridge

Set off in light drizzle from Foxton Locks, and worked hard but steadily, after Saddington tunnel, through twelve locks to Kilby Bridge. I was well ready to sink a pint and listen to the conversation in The Navigation, and catch up on emails, Facebook and the text for this blog. I will have to wait for adding pictures until I can link my camera to the Internet , the iPad cannot do this :(

Sun 4 Oct Autumn across the summit to Foxton locks

An early start from near bridge 9 above Watford locks in the mist, with Ali. Overcast but the sun came out at times as we made our way across an autumn canalscape towards Foxton. After the collision yesterday, it was good to meet no one in the Crick or Husband Bosworth tunnels. We met three boats only, then burst onto a crowd at Foxton Top Lock - no pressure, then!

Crowds at Foxton Locks

For once, we had to wait above the centre pound, while a boat rose three locks and came into the pound. Then we crossed over. We really don't think the volunteer lock keepers understand the locks totally. Water was pouring over the weirs from pond to pond, so was this necessary? We weren't hurrying, anyway.

Annie crossing over with NB Iron Maiden, half way down Foxton Locks

It was great to see Sarah and Rachel with Honey, and Nephew Scott arrived to collect Ali, so we had a family meal together at the new pub, after a pint in the 61.

Foxton Locks Inn for family meals

The shop and 61 pub - for boaters

Liana disappeared with Sarah to get the car and re turn to Lincolnshire to do a day's work, leaving me on the boat to watch Match if the Day2 and consider life without Rogers at Liverpool FC.

Sat 3 Oct Marston Doles to above Watford Locks 20 locks 10 miles

Down 7 locks to the Folly Pie in the sun, empty the holding tanks and on to Braunston.

This volunteer lockwheeled for us down the locks. Thank you! :)

Emptying holding tanks at Napton bottom lock services, by the Folly Pie

Visited Wharf House Narrowboats chandlery and bought six led lights and the white ash coating the chaps from the workshop recommended for exposed surfaces of doors and hatches. They always like to chat about their boat, which won the Crick favourite Boat of Show award in 2005, an achievement they are proud of.

Dent and scrape near deck level

We passed five boats through Braunston Tunnel. We were hammered by a hireboat in the middle: See the scrape. Quite a shock, which makes you realise how much you trust the other boater to stay near the wall as they pass!
Picking up Liana's sister Ali at the New Inn, Long Buckby, we went up Watford locks by ourselves in the gathering dusk