Grand Union Canal Leicester section and River Soar

Leaving Foxton Junction, we joined the Grand Union, Leicester section and continued towards Leicester.  You navigate through a special scientific section area which was really pretty and lots of wildlife.

Continuing through Saddington Tunnel, we  moored  for the evening just after Fleckney Bridge.  A short walk from here leads you to the village, where there is a Co-op and a fish and chip shop.

It was so sad to see crops of peas and broad beans in this area ruined by the lack of rainfall and heat of the summer.  We really felt for the farmers.
The following day we went through two sets of locks, Kibworth locks (5 in total) and Newton Locks (7 in total). 

Newton Top Lock

 These locks are heavy double locks, which could possibly sap ones enthusiasm! Luckily the pounds between give you some rest time!
We moored  just after Taylors Bridge no 88 ready for the descent into Leicester the following day.

 

Unfortunately due to water shortages and possible vandalism, one of the lower pounds was just about empty and CRT were working really hard to send water down. This resulted in our pound being very shallow and we were on a slight tilt.

The following day we headed down the locks into Leicester, We couldnt have asked for better assistance from CRT and although it was really low in places we made it into Leicester.

Final lock into Leicester

   

  

   There are several moorings on the towpath side, but we moored further up at Castle Gardens, secure moorings with a CRT key.

 A short walk over the bridge leads to a Tesco and eating places.  We explored the centre (through the park), which has many historical buildings. The town has Roman origins and you could easily spend a couple of days exploring.

However, we stayed just the one evening and then headed on, through the outskirts of the city.

   

Just before Belgrave lock (no 44), there are some moorings if you wish to visit the National Space Centre.  We caught a glimpse of it at the lock and Swans nest Weir.

We moored  the following day at Birstall.  A great place with a large Co-op, take-aways etc and enjoyed a yummy curry at 'Aroma Spice' which is a BYO and great value.😋

  We topped up our fuel (1.49/lt) at the fuel barge at Sileby boat yard, very helpful with a well stocked chandlery (just after Sileby Lock). 

Barrow-upon-Soar was a hive of activity with lots of boats out and about and very busy. We continued through, and settled for the evening just after Millers Bridge no 34.

The next morning we continued through Loughborough, joining the River Soar again after Bishop Meadow.  

     

We moored  just before Kegworth Deep Lock before our return to base the following day and enjoyed watching the planes overhead  going into land at East Midlands Airport.

 We can highly recommend the 'Leicester Ring', with varied canals, locks and rivers and despite the lack of rain this summer we have managed to go where we wanted without a hitch. Many thanks to the helpful CRT volunteers and workers along the way. Many Hire Boat guides suggest 2 weeks to do the ring but we think that is rather hectic. If you are fortunate to have the time, allow 4 weeks to enjoy and explore new areas towns and villages.