Tuesday, 11th August. Just eight miles and twelve locks today. These locks are big uns; stiff, heavy and always a bit leaky. A real mixture of wiggly, rural waterways to industrial areas, then the river Soar and into the Mile Straight at Leicester. Very poor facilities here – in fact a whole day with NO facilities (come on CRT & Leics City Council!). They have provided a small floating pontoon by Castle gardens, which has a secure mooring but no water or owt. Still very handy for the shops, pub and the plethora of eateries . .
Some leaky gates
Joining the river Soar – no flow at all – very dry … nice signage
And always some modern signage too
and now the back end of Leicester – industrial units and shed loads of Himalayan Balsam . .
more run down mill buildings
final lock … note the huge weir – with no flow over it …
Just after this – lovely view of Leicester football club
and into the Mile Straight to our overnight mooring
There’s Adagio, on the outside in the middle. Very welcoming family on the inside hire boat (Emerson Speedway No 78). Many thanks for helping us moor up. They were off to Bobby’s for dinner and then the next day – the Space Centre! We were off to the Black Horse (Foxon Lane – nice Everards pub) and then Namaste – the landlord’s recommendation for a takeaway. Brilliant end to the day. Great to be in the city but it was very noisy and full of people shouting, swearing and drinking. Chucking stuff into the river … shame. Off to Wanlip tomorrow after a shop in Tesco’s and hopefully, some peace n quiet.