With a forecast of heavy rain later in the morning, we set off at 8 ish for Foxton locks, just a mile away. There were already 5 boats going down the flight but they let us go as long as we “waited in the middle” for two to come up. No problem. Never been down these locks before – a double staircase with 2 groups of 5 locks, taking you down a height of 75 feet. It took about two hours.
Halfway point
vast lock gates
Viv does all the work
looking back up …
nearly there . .
turn left and head for Leicester – water levels were very low – after this lock we went aground … luckily, Viv was still at the lock and I could radio for help . . “Let more water out!”. It was then a case of moving along African Queen style at 1 mph … Viv then had a long walk to the next lock.
Our destination – Bumblebee Lock. 21 locks and 10 miles today. Quite a long day but gorgeous weather, lovely fields of wheat and a quiet rural mooring for the night. And a beer!
