Part 2 - Chapter 4

Husbands Bosworth Tunnel

(9 photos by Mike Wilding)

"...amazing sheets of multi-coloured stalactite laid out along its walls."

"Reaching Foxton Locks, we were surprised to find ourselves on the only boat wanting

to go in either direction through the staircases, so our downward progress was quick."

Foxton Locks

Bottom Lock

"After much pulling, pushing, revving and manoeuvring - which

only resulted in me falling full-length on my back and being

pulled towards the edge by a stubbornly retreating Kantara..."

"...we found a space just a few hundred yards further along, a lovely spot

where we enjoyed a late supper, and more games and hilarity."

"Friday, we arose to see clear, sunny, blue skies with no wind.

A beautiful day! Onward, north..."

(photo - Mike Wilding)

On towards Fleckney.

"...through the relatively short Saddington Tunnel stopping at Fleckney for a bit of shopping. "

(photo - Mike Wilding)

"At the bottom, we had to decide whether to wind straight away

or continue for a few more lock/miles before doing so."

"We descended two more locks..."

(photo - Christine Wilding)

"... before winding and returning immediately up them to a decent mooring just south of bridge 79"

(4 photos - Mike Wilding)

Grace at the tiller with Christine in support.

"We moored, opened the side doors onto the canal, and were immediately

adopted by a lone, lonely swan who took a liking to

digestive biscuit and cauliflower stem."

(2 photos - Mike Wilding)

"We continued our return up the Kibworth Locks, through Saddington Tunnel and on to Foxton..."

Going up the locks

"...Husbands Bosworth and on through Kilworth."

Approaching Husbands Bosworth Tunnel

"We had time to visit the Welford Arm of the GU, and chugged slowly

along that mile and a quarter of charming, narrow canal"

Welford Lock

(2 photos - Mike Wilding)

Butterfly on the Buddleia at the lock

Grace, with Mike at the helm

(2 photos - Christine Wilding)

Mooring at Welford

Welford Lock

"...to the winding at the far end..."

(3 photos - Mike Wilding)

"...returning to a lovely wooded spot near the lock."

"Mike and Christine treated us to a delicious Sunday lunch at The Wharf."

"Tuesday morning was still and misty, magical and really beautiful.

Sounds were muffled by the mist."

"With Mike at the helm, really confident and competent now, but his only hat a

Yelvertoft Marina baseball cap, we set off for the last stretch back to Yelvertoft."

Back at the marina

A short trip with Michelle

"The afternoon's cruise was under a warm sun and clear sky,

and Michelle was already really unwinding, enjoying the peace and solitude. "

Beautiful weather

Moored for the night

Golden harvest

Husbands Bosworth Tunnel again

"Saturday took us to Foxton Locks"

"I showed Michelle around the lovely Foxton site."

The side ponds for the locks

View from the highest point, looking over the inclined plane

The top of the remains of the inclined plane

Looking towards the bottom of the inclined plane

The Foxton Inn

Bottom Lock

The Foxton Museum, once the engine room for winching the caissons with the barges in.

"we carried on as far as the first suitable winding, just before Debdale Wharf"

"we turned into the Welford Arm"

 ""We booked a table at The Wharf Inn, and enjoyed a really tasty meal"

Back at Yelvertoft

"It'd been a great time for us all."

>>>===<<<