Grand Union Leicester - A big 'Thank you' to the CRT volunteers

 We are currently cruising the Leicester Ring clockwise from Shardlow.  Along the way we have come across many CRT volunteers who do a wonderful job, but more details to follow later....

The weather has been terrific over the last week.  We cruised through Shardlow, the River Trent for a short period and onto the River Soar - the Grand Union Leicester section over a couple of days. On the third day we moored  just above Lock 48 (Cossington Lock). 

A 15 minute walk from the bridge takes you to the village of Rothley.  Woodcock Farm Shop looked great - unfortunately it was a Sunday and this is the only day of the week it is closed 😕.  However next door is a handy Co-op, so we got our provisions from there.

The following day, we passed through Leicester. Some of the artwork/graffiti is by 'Graffwerk' (a street art and culture project team) which looks really good and helps to promote the City of Leicester.

That evening we moored just before Kings Lock and the canalside cafe. This was a great mooring as the bridge below the lock is a medieval packhorse bridge which was really interesting to see and walk on. You can see on the photo below one of the passing places on the bridge.  The area has recently been improved with a wonderful nature reserve and access ramp for all to enjoy.   

Turning right over the bridge leads to the village of Aylestone.  We enjoyed a beer at the 'Black Horse' a lovely classic pub which serves food and is dog friendly.

The following day, we headed up the rest of the locks out of Leicester and moored  at Kilby Bridge where the CRT services are.  The Navigation pub here has recently started serving food and we enjoyed a meal there in the evening.

Kilby Bridge- CRT service area

After a further flight of 7 locks the following  day, we moored just after 'High Bridge' and walked down to  Wistow Church and the Wistow Rural Centre which has a café, some art/craft shops and a garden centre - well worth a visit. On this days cruising, we came across a group of volunteers who were working hard, painting, planting, tidying the locks in this area and what a difference it makes... thank you, the Locks look great.

The following morning after ascending the five Kibworth Locks, we moored for a short time at the bridge at Fleckney for a quick visit to the Co-op and small farmers market in the village (a 10 minute walk from the bridge).  We then moored for the evening at the bottom of the Foxton Flight of locks planning to ascend in the morning when they open at 08.00am.

Once again, a massive thank you to all the volunteers who make the ascent so easy and work so hard keeping the locks clean and tidy.  A special thanks to 'Graham' for our smooth ascent.  Without these dedicated people who give a lot of time and effort, these smooth passages could not happen.