It was a late start, planned to be on the move at 9.. didn’t wake up till 10:30.. weekend huh 😀 But we should be OK.. its only an hour and a half to Foxton, and were going to stop soon after that – so its not like we wont get there in the daylight.
No ice today.. but plenty of sheep!
We got to Foxton with plenty of time to spare before they close the locks for the evening, as they close these off if there are no lock-keepers on duty.. so getting here after 3pm in winter.. you are going to be out of luck and need to wait for the following day!
On the approach to Foxton.. “Dolly”.. the canal horse who towed boats along this stretch in the early days.. and her full size sculpture..
Now.. before we go down.. Check in with the lockies.. were the only boat to go up or down today.. and thats cheered up the tourist sect.. all of which are asking “Are you going down the locks?” – but first.. time to put the kettle on as yea.. no ice.. but still bloomin cold! – the tourists with their cameras will have to wait a while!
Two sets of 5 staircase locks to go.. and yes.. even in January.. Gongoozelers are there…
And yea.. that’s a big gate..
One lock down.. 9 to go..
Eventually.. were all the way out.. pulled in at the mooring opposite the locks.. and found that the stern would be sticking out – as its on a bend.. so turn around to leave the bow out and it safer for the dogs to get on/off the boat..
And the Foxton Lock Inn in the background.. our target for this afternoon.. 🙂
But tomorrow.. hmm.. Market Harborough I think.. to the end of the spur and back again.. just because I know there’s a shop there! 😀
But.. I will leave you with some more photos of the locks and the inclined plane that whilst still there.. is no longer workable.. perhaps the lottery would like to invest in this.. the same as they did with the Anderton Boat lift ??? who knows..
