The Loneliness of the Lovely Leicester Line

The Leicester Line of the Grand Union is remote and quite beautiful.  We only came across three other boats moving today. Maybe because it was a rather, cold and overcast day - a biting northeasterly blowing!

                       A heron takes flight on the Leicester Line

On Thursday we encountered the amazing Watford Locks and with the help of John, the very helpful CRT volunteer, we ascended the staircase successfully and didn't have to queue too long.

The Watford Locks

A four chamber staircase

We were halted at Braunston bottom lock on Wednesday due to an unexpected closure! Half the canal folk knew it was going to happen and the other half, including the CRT people at Braunston Stop House didn't have a clue! So, we spent the day moored alongside David, Cathy and Wilf, their wire haired terrier, waiting for the flight to open at 4.00pm, along with lots of other folk! It was a glorious day, almost short and t shirts again!

We were moored outside Wharf Narrow boats, so Sid kept popping in and out planning and costing his next job.  Do was delighted to have hi company!


The locks eventually opened at 4.30 and we were the first bots up. A long day!

Tomorrow brings our third tunnel and should see us to Foxton Locks - one of the wonders of the canal world! Then on to Market Harborough!

Look who Sid found at the end of the Welford Arm!