Thursday 23rd November
We had another incredible storm overnight and the rain was lashing down, but it was bright and sunny today and the wind had dropped. It was still quite windy though as we found out when we tried to move off the side, the wind kept blowing us back in! John had to really put the power on to keep the boat moving. Once we got going, I took over but it was really difficult as the boat didn't seem to want to move.
As I was approaching the first lock it was really tough going. I was trying to keep the boat in the centre of the canal but even flat out it was struggling to move and I found it hard to steer.
I nearly hit this boat as I went past as I just couldn't seem to steer it out the way. Luckily we just missed it!
When we got to the lock John checked the prop in case anything was stuck on it but there was nothing. So we think it must just have been a load of silt on the bottom making it hard to move.
We got through the lock ok and so on to the next, we had seven to do today.
The Leicestershire countryside is really nice, lots of rolling hills and open farmland.
At the second lock Dex made friends with a collie pup. He loves other dogs and takes every opportunity to make friends as we journey along.
John was finding it a real struggle to keep control of the boat in the lock, somehow the wind was managing to affect the boat even as he went deeper into the lock. We normally only open one gate but it was tricky to get the boat through.
Another friend for Dex, this time a Boxer.
There were no other boats in sight so we had to do all the locks alone. Shame as it's so much nicer when you can share.
I don't like Dex crossing the lock gates especially when they don't have a proper platform to walk over. So I tell him to stay whilst I cross over. He's really good bless him, I don't think we could manage with a dog that wasn't obedient, it would be too dangerous.
Onward we went, Dex and I were walking the towpath whilst John steered. We had swapped over partway along the route.
Clearly there had been a bad accident on this bridge!
We eventually arrived at Kilby Bridge which is our mooring point until Saturday. Here we could fill up with water, get a pump out, get rid of the rubbish and it also had a pub!
The next set of 9 locks are currently closed for maintenance and so we can't go any further until they re-open them on Saturday morning. They will only be open for a few hours however and then closed again until March! So we have booked our passage through and have to report to the lock keeper at Kilby lock at 9.30am on Saturday. So for now we can relax... off to the pub for a barsnack aand a glass or 2 tonight! 😃
The swans were hopeful as ever to get some food.. they had to put up with pecking the weed off the side of our boat.
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