6th June 2011
After last evening’s crew change and sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings the Tidal Trent team of Arthur and Maurice prepared for a relaxing day on the Grand Union Leicester Section.
Only 12 broad locks today from Kilby Bridge to Foxton with a detour to visit the Market Harborough Basin, venue for the first IWA Rally back in 1950.
The weather was overcast but mild with little or no wind. Although most locks on the steady climb to Kibworth were against us we made good progress as there was very little traffic heading towards Leicester. There was plenty of wildlife to be seen, several pairs of swans most with five fluffy cygnets and ducks with broods of up to ten tiny ducklings.
Following our leisurely 9:00am start we reached our planned destination at Foxton Bottom Lock at 3:20pm. This left us ample time to enjoy the surroundings and explore the area. There is plenty to see at Foxton, numerous boats (trip boats, horse drawn boats, liveaboards, sightseers, the museum and the site of the famous Inclined Plane). Also there is the Market Harborough Arm to explore and a pub to visit.
Our only adventures of the day involved two groundings in the muddy shallows at lock landings, both overcome with heaving and manoeuvring.
Written by: Arthur Naylor