Boating for the day

At the moment we are not allowed to spend the night on Leo. We struggle to see the sense of this restriction but for the moment we are abiding by the rules. So, not having visited Leo for over 3 months during the lockdown, we decided last Sunday that we would get up early and drive down to see how she was keeping. We were pleased to find the answer was "very well, thank you". The engine (not run for months) started with the first turn of the key and the rear hatch slid open easily, having been stuck fast during the winter. The outside paintwork was filthy and a layer of dust lay inside.

We decided to take her out for a run so these photos show a short day trip to Foxton and along the Market Harborough Arm.

Here we are out on the cut and about to go under Debdale Wharf Bridge. From here on heading south there were lots of visitors along the towpath, presumably parked at Foxton Locks. The plastic ducks were enjoying the sunshine too.

Large blue signs from Canal and River Trust set out the special restrictions on extended mooring around Foxton. Is it a sign of the times that the fear is of people spitting on you from bridges? No such problems today - everyone was very friendly: just glad to be out for the day probably.

To the right of the Foxton Locks Inn (still closed of course) you can see the bottom lock of the Foxton flight of 10 narrow locks in two staircases each of 5. Ice creams were being sold but no chance of sitting down for a meal.

Just round the corner is a well used swing bridge. This one opened easily for Helen and closed after Leo with no trouble. As you can see here and in the previous photo there were lots of visitors around. Notice the dust on the roof and the huge bird splats between the hatch and the first mushroom vent.

A second swing bridge comes into view fairly quickly and this one was a bit trickier. It opened well enough but refused to recognise it was closed to allow the road barriers to reopen and release our key. A passer-by helped Helen sort things out and we carried on out of Foxton to a winding hole beyond bridge 7.

Here we are, having turned to head back. Thunder clouds were now increasing though we only had a few drops so we were lucky.

Having stopped for lunch between the two swing bridges we stopped again in a pleasant spot while Ian thoroughly washed the starboard side and the roof and Helen put up the curtains that we had brought from home. The roof was so dirty that I think we might have grown plants on it towards the stern. A well earned rest with cups of tea then before setting off back to our mooring.

And so back to the tricksy swing bridge. Again it opened but was reluctant to close sufficiently to release the road barriers and retrieve our key. Ian helped as did the chap from the house to the right who often helps out boaters who are perplexed. The large hook that holds the bridge closed only partly engages and until it is fully hooked the sensor does not recognise that the bridge is closed. Anyway we solved it eventually and carried on.

We returned Leo to her mooring and cleaned the port side before driving home. A good but very long day out as we live several hours drive away. Our hope, from hints on the CRT bulletins is that we shall be allowed to stay overnight on Leo from early July so we hope then to make a belated start to our usual summer cruising. Watch this space for an update in the next few weeks.