21st May 2007
Location: Near Foxton. N52:29:25 W0:59:17 (help)
After walking into North Kilworth to get the Sunday papers, we pulled the pins and headed north to Foxton.
We stopped off at the boat yard at N. Kilworth to take on water and diesel. Diesel was 50 pence a litre, not too bad.
There was about an inch of water left in the bottom of the tank – enough for a couple of cups of tea!!! Must take care in the future to keep it topped up. It took nearly 45 minutes to fill up.
Left the boat yard and headed north through the Husband Bosworth tunnel and on to Foxton through some lovely countryside and in lovely weather.
We moored up about half a mile south of the Foxton locks in a nice quiet spot. The weather was so nice that we lit the BBQ and sat on the deck with a glass of wine while cooking – a nice change after the cool and wet weather we have been having for the last week.
We pulled the pins this morning and headed for the locks. All in all, from finding the lock keeper (a very nice and helpful guy) to exiting the bottom lock took over two hours and this was in the off peak season. Must take a mental note to try and steer clear of Foxton in peak season!! The locks are very easy to operate and it is quite a sight when sitting in the top lock looking down and out over the fantastic country views.
After leaving Foxton, we headed the six mile up the Market Harborough arm to the basin where we moored at the 48 hour moorings for the night.
The basin is a nice spot, very clean and safe feeling for a town.
We walked into the town in the afternoon to get a feeling for how long it takes to walk to the train station as Rhonda is travelling south to Liphook tomorrow to see Lindsay and grandson Tom. The walk to the station only took just over half an hour and is a pleasant walk through the town.
Stopped off in the town on the way back to pick up some stuff from Argos (a rucksack for carrying stuff to/from the boat and a rotary clothes line). We also picked up some bits and pieces from Sainsbury’s. There is a good selection of shops in the town, everything you could possibly need is available.
We went out for a meal in the Union Hotel in the evening. Unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired and I would not eat there again which is a shame because it is a nice place inside.
On arriving back at the boat after the ‘meal’, got a phone call from my son Glenn. He is currently at Birmingham university and is going to pop down tomorrow for a visit.
Southern entrance to the Husband Bosworth tunnel:
Northern entrance to the Husband Bosworth tunnel
Swan family we met at Foxton
Foxton flight
Ten Bob Note half way down the Foxton flight
Bottom of the Foxton flight looking back from the Market Harborough arm
Material Copyright © 2007 Ernie Williams
This page last modified on:
28 August, 2007 4:12 PM