On to Welford

From Newton Top Lock we had a pump out at Debdale Wharf - very obliging people.  Fortunately the tunnel light worked ok at Saddington Tunnel but Jan always turns on all inside lights “just in case”.  Coming out of tunnel we were met with superb views - almost aerial - of vales and fields up to Foxton. Moored there for the night.

Foxton Basin early morning before the Gongoozalers arrive

We had burger and chips at the Foxton Lock Inn and it was ok-ish. Not having been down to Market Harborough before we decided next day to go down that arm and moor in Market Harborough Basin.  For the uninitiated (as we were) the first swing bridge has a WB key which is not needed as bridge not locked.  The second swing bridge has a plaque with instructions on it; however, the first most important ones are missing: ensure orange barriers are installed across the road BEFORE you insert your BW key for the quarter turn, otherwise you will not be able to retrieve your key.  Also, you MUST ensure white markings on road match perfectly otherwise you cannot move the bridge.  We were fortunate in having local walkers point these out to us as they had come across many boaters tearing their hair out trying to  decipher half-instructions.  Bridge works really easy once these instructions are followed.

Market Harborough Basin

At Mkt Harborough we ate at The Riverside in the basin and were not very impressed. Next morning we walked into the town centre - what a beautiful old town, so full of character and individual providers.  It was Sunday so most shops were closed however we managed to find a Co-Op and get a few bits (apparently there are other supermarkets only a few hundred yards down the road but be prepared to walk back up a steep hill with your shopping). Had a nice coffee in the town at the 3 Swans Hotel down a courtyard then moved Tilly May back to Foxton ready to go up in the morning. We booked in to go up Foxton Locks about 9:30 and were at the top in about an hour.  All thanks to the CaRT volunteers who make the flight transition so easy. Then on to the Welford Arm of the Grand Union and we moored at the Wharf and had a very nice steak pie in the Wharf Inn.

Jan and an upside down Spot half way up Foxton Locks

View across Leicestershire from the top of Foxton Locks

Yet more bad news, the macerator pump on the toilet stopped working. The old adage comes to mind: glass half-empty or half-full; things come in threes or third time lucky - we think we have had the former in both cases as this is our third attempt out this year. Thanks go to Ian and Fliss on NB Ubique (based at Crick but moored at Welford on our arrival) who gave us details of a local boat engineer who could help us. Fortunately Welford Wharf has toilets so we are here for a couple of days while we wait for the engineer to come and sort it.

Small lock on the Welford Arm

On the way down the Welford Arm we spotted a tow plane taking a glider up 2 or 3 times. This reminded me that an old friend Mark operates a glider around here so I dropped him an email and we met for a meal at The Wharf Inn on Tuesday evening - excellent food and company. The plan was for Mark to take us into Market Harborough for a Mexican this evening but the engineer said he could not get to us until early evening Wednesday so we had to cancel the meal with Mark.  What bad news - we have to eat at the Welford Arms again - all available fresh meat on board TM has gone to Spot as she is not eating very well and is being tempted by anything we can get her to eat.