After arriving at Kirby Bridge we meant to leave the next day for Foxton. However what with the rain and wind in the morning we decided to hunker down and read. Not long later the snow came down. Glad we missed it all.
At least today there are one or two breaks in the clouds and more importantly the level of the water is up and the next section is even better in depth.
The next lock and the water is coming over the top of the gates. One can't ask for much better than that. We have a total of twelve locks and ten miles to get through today
Spotted this church standing all alone on its own apart from what looks like the manor farm in the woods. The fields are ridge and furrow so one expects a village to be nearby but no sign. I found that this is a Medieval village. Wonder if it was the plague or sheep that caused the disappearance.
One set of leaking gates and the canal is down by two foot. As I went towards the lock I ended up aground again. Lee had to open up the sluice at the top till the water lifted me off the bottom and it only took a couple of inches.
The last of the twelve locks and problem getting back on the boat after closing the gates. No one seems to be on the boat that is moored on the lock moorings.
As we go past is is obvious that the boat has been left as it is chained to the bollards. I have to assume that BW know about it as this is the lock that is locked each afternoon at 1600 to conserve water.
The first of the tunnels we have to go through. This one is only 880 yards but its still flaming cold after the first 100 yards inside.
Lots of bends still and the canal narrows in places. I have been surprised by the number of little communities of what I can only imagine are continuous cruisers that are settling in nicely thank you.
The occasional hill and its not far to Foxton Locks and a lift is 75 feet which is added to the 350 or there abouts we have already climbed since the Trent.
Heading away from the hill and the view away to the left is obscured by the hedge sadly.
The view to the right is of hedges that are up to 15 feet or so across. Its not that the farmer has let it run amok as the tops are all very tidy but why so wide. Cover for game birds perhaps.
The last bit of todays journey and little glimpses of Foxton in the distance.
Walked down the towpath to have a look at tomorrows journey and this rather individual boat was moored up.
The Foxton pub and on the opposite bank Lock 61.
It looks a long way up from down here and the start of the narrow locks.
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