Up the Sence valley towards Foxton

 Tuesday 15 September South to Kilby Bridge and Kibworth Beauchamp (6 miles, 9 locks)

After breakfast on the dewy bank in the sun, we set off up two locks to the services at Kilby Bridge, where we emptied loo cassettes, took on water and got rid of rubbish. Then we continued up seven locks to Newton Harcourt.

Between two of the locks is an attractive wedding venue, with large wigwam / teepee type tents. 

A short distance from the Bottom Half Mile Lock, as the top lock is called, you turn a corner, go under a bridge and find yourself on a terrace overlooking the Sence valley, with beautiful views across it towards Wistow Hall and Garden Centre. Several boats took advantage of the views and good metal piled moorings here. We chilled, but there are plenty of walks here.

Wednesday 16 September  on to Foxton (6.5 miles, 5 locks, 1 tunnel)

The sun shone through clouds, so we idled our way along the half mile to the bottom Kibworth Lock. Someone must have been ahead of us, as the five locks were mostly against us, plus many mechanisms were stiff. Along this stretch, lock gates often open again as you leave, or bottom gates try to open before Liana has time to open a top paddle. You can, of course, open a top paddle a little to help ..... 

 

We sang And bellowed our way through Saddington Tunnel, then passed a number of boats on our way. Mooring outside the Foxton Inn, we walked up the locks, chatting to boaters and lockie, before trying the hotdog and beef burger With chips outside at the pub (okish but a bit pricy, as was the beer). We settled in to watch the world go by until dusk brought proceedings to a quiet conclusion.