Foxton Locks and the Market Harborough Arm

We arrived at the top of Foxton Locks, a fantastic feat of engineering opened in 1812.  After booking in with the Lock keeper, along with 3 other boats we started our descent.  There is a cafe and a small bookshop at the top.  The volunteers are very knowledgable and helpful - you must remember red paddle first and then the white.

  

There are two staircases of five locks  with a passing pound in the middle,  falling in total 75ft.

  

Passing pound Foxton Locks

Above is the passing pound.  One boat was on their way up and waited for us and a further 3 boats to pass and while we descended the final 5, they continued up the final 5 locks to the top.   

The bottom lock 

In 1900, an inclined plane was opened to bypass Foxton locks.  Two caissons carrying either two narrowboats or one barge moved sideways on rails up and down the plane.  A steam driven winch was used to start them moving.The journey time was reduced from 70 to 12 minutes.

A model of the Inclined Plane

 Unfortunately, just a few years later this was closed due to mechanical problems and high running costs and because the planned widening of the Watford Flight of locks proved too costly.

This photo taken from a viewing platform shows the preservation site as it looks today. 

 At the bottom of the locks, you can continue along the Grand Union Leicester branch or, as we did, turn right onto the Market Harborough Arm.   You pass through two swing bridges at the beginning of the arm.

We enjoyed the journey to the basin.  There are plenty of mooring spaces at the beginning of the arm, and then limited until just before the terminal basin where there are several 48 hour moorings with full boater facilites.  The basin is lovely and just a 20 minute walk into the centre.  There are many historical buildings here and lots of shops including supermarkets. This photo shows The Old Grammar School built in 1614. The open ground floor originally held a butter market.

The arm is 5.5 miles long and took us approximately 2 hours to navigate.  We enjoyed this stretch and the town is well worth a visit.

    

   

Norton Junction to Husbands Bosworth

During the mini heatwave, (UK's hotttest day on record 18/19 JULY 2022), we moored  just after Norton Junction on the Grand Union Canal (Leicester section) with some welcome shade from the overhanging trees.  

The weather having cooled somewhat we headed on past Watford Gap M1 motorway services, arriving at Watford Locks for 8am. These can be busy, but luckily we were first to ascend.  The first two locks are normal and then you ascend a staircase of 5 locks. The rise is just over 52ft taking us to the summit level of this canal.  This gave us some practise for the forthcoming Foxton locks. 

The volunteer lock keepers were very friendly and efficient and we were up in no time at all.   The CRT services at the top are great including a book exchange.  A couple of miles ahead is Crick tunnel, 1528 yards long.  The tunnel allows boats in both directions and it is a tight squeeze as you pass, but if you both take it slowly it works just fine.

We moored just after the tunnel and took the footpath through the fields to Crick village where there is a post office and a Co-op.Very welcome as beer supplies were dangerously low following the hot spell!   Crick, of course is home to the annual narrowboat show.   

Having moored  for the day just after Yelvertoft Marina we had a walk into the village.

Yelvertoft Old parish Pump

 We had a look around the All Saints' Church which holds a 15th century Dycson tomb and effigy which was interesting.

The following morning, we left Yelvertoft, cruised through  Welford Junction followed by 1166yards  Husbands Bosworth tunnel. Limited moorings to access the village but we found a spot about 15 minutes walk from the bridge which in turn leads to the village. 

Couldn't resist calling at the fantastic food 'hut' outside 'The Bell Inn' . Yum Yum, very reasonable - we even had the pub garden to ourselves.

Husbands Bosworth

  
    

     

   

The Erewash Canal

We have just returned from an enjoyable cruise on the Erewash Canal.  Having travelled to  Trent Lock to begin our journey, the visitor moorings were full, so moored a little further on at bridge 2c.  

The lock cottages built in 1779 at Sandiacre Lock are now a museum run by the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association where they hold historical events and talks.

Lock Cottages - Sandiacre lock

Just above the lock there are some moorings with rings, however we carried on to the Sandiacre town centre to the visitor moorings and moored up for lunch and provisions.

Visitor moorings - Sandiacre

The visitor moorings are on both sides of the canal and provide easy access to a wide variety of shops including Lidl supermarket.

We moored for the evening just above the delightful, rural Pasture lock where 'The Owl' kindly did some drone footage of us and made a youtube video which is great, click on the link to view     Coventina in Pasture lock

Langley Mill Basin

The locks are quite tough, but all in working order. We arrived at Langley Mill Basin and after using the facilities, moored on the visitor moorings. 

We were really lucky to witness the hatching of some cygnets nesting in the basin.  There are plenty of shops, including supermarkets at Langley Mill and a train station. We enjoyed a nice lunch at a lovely cafe, Basilia 10 minutes walk.

The second night at Langley Mill we moored just below the lock, there are spaces for approximately  two boats here. 

On our return journey we stopped off for a quick visit to the Bennerley Viaduct at Ilkeston.  This is a grade 2 listed disused railway viaduct built in 1877 which spans the Erewash Valley between Awsworth and Ilkeston.  Walking across this fantastic structure offers some great views.  

Bennerley Viaduct

On our return journey we moored just below Pastures Lock which has a lovely view of Sandiacre.

This has been an enjoyable trip and well worth the effort.  Everyone we spoke to on the towpath were really friendly.  We have had a great time and will definitely be returning.

A stroll along the derelict Barnsley Canal

 In our home county of Yorkshire we recently enjoyed a walk along a section of the old Barnsley Canal.  The Barnsley Canal opened in 1799 and ran from Barnby Basin, through Barnsley to a junction with the Aire and Calder near Wakefield, it was closed in 1946.

We started our walk from Walton, Wakefield. Most of the canal is overgrown on this first section, but you can still see the remains of one of the locks.

There are also a couple of stone mounted pulleys along this stretch which helped the tow ropes around the sharper bends in the navigation.

Stone Mounted Pulley

We stopped for a picnic overlooking  Cold Hiendley reservoir.  Both Wintersett and this reservoir were built to supply water to the canal.

Cold Hiendley Reservoir

Having passed the reservoir,  the canal to High Bridge does still have some water in it - albeit stagnant.

This is a fantastic Autumn walk with some wonderful colours and scenes - a glimpse into our industrial past.

  

Book fairies, bacon butties and half price meals!!

 

We recently enjoyed a return trip - from Shardlow to Fradley and were blessed with the weather.

Shardlow

Whilst mooring at Alrewas, Chris caught a glimpse of a fairy placing a book on our boat, thank you kind fairy, what a great idea, you read and then leave somewhere for someone else to enjoy.

Book left by the 'Book Fairy'

Whilst cruising through Branston we were disappointed at how much building work is going on; sadly this is the same everywhere now, we are losing so many green spaces to developments.

While using the CRT facilities at Fradley, we couldn’t resist a bacon sandwich from the ‘Laughing Duck.'  This an excellent café, dogs are well catered for with plenty of treats and also clips on the outdoor tables for leads. They even had umbrellas in case of rain – very well thought out, excellent food and good value too.

Laughing Duck Cafe

Taking a left turn at Fradley Junction onto the Coventry Canal we moored just after bridge 90 on the visitor moorings. A short walk from the bridge takes you to the lovely village of Fradley, the home of RAF Lichfield  from 1940 to 1958.

It was the 81^st anniversary of the Battle of Britain and whilst looking around St Stephens Church we noticed that they were holding a memorial service in the afternoon which we were pleased to attend. The service was really moving - it was so sad to see the graves of the young airmen (many of whom were Australian) who sadly lost their lives during the war.

In the evening we thoroughly enjoyed a curry at ‘Bilash’ a short walk from bridge 90 and the next day started our return journey to Shardlow.

On our return journey we moored at the ever-popular village of Willington.  Lunch at the dog friendly Green Man Pub is highly recommended, especially with half price mid-week deals (during September)!

We topped up our fuel tank at the ever-helpful Shobnall Marina at Burton Upon Trent, sadly there wasn’t time to visit the nearby Marston’s Brewery Shop – next time!

Shobnall Marina waiting for fuel

A great September break and looking forward to our next adventures on Coventina.

Autumn cruise

 We have recently enjoyed a couple of days cruising down to Trent Lock and back. The autumn colours were lovely and the weather remained favourable most of the time.  When venturing onto the River Trent, you always have to remain vigilant regarding river levels especially at this time of year.