To Normanton on Soar and East Devon!

After a trip back to Sileby Mill with brother in law John, his daughter and family, they helped me on through Mountsorrel lock and I continued on to moor below Pillings Lock. Rain forecast so I spent 2 nights here. On Monday I cycled into Loughborough, explored the shops and met Charley and Dolores on nb Felonious Mongoose outside the Albion pub - they said the moorings were fine. The rain didn't come to much after all and on Tuesday I went to moor behind Charley and Dolores. Now a chance to do a bit of sightseeing - I had never actually stopped in Loughborough before. On Wednesday, having found out by towpath telegraph that Bishop Meadow lock was closed all day for maintenance, I went with Charley and Dolores to the Bell Foundry (the oldest in the world) where we enjoyed a tour of the foundry and museum. Very interesting - full of information and lightened by lots of funnies. We were shown a set of 13 bells almost complete and destined for St Mary's Church in Cambridge (my bellringing crew, Chris and Mary, will inform me if these details are incorrect!) Bells used to be delivered by canal and river - but I didn't offer to take this extremely large order, even though I wouldn't object to another trip to Cambridge.

On Thursday morning I set off - in winds stronger than I usually travel in - but I had an appointment to keep. After Bishop Meadow lock I was back on the River Soar and soon approaching the lovely village of Normanton on Soar. As I approached Soar Boating Club moorings I couldn't see further round the bend so made the decision to turn beside the visitor moorings - which were in use. Much to one of the occupants surprise I did a good turn, aided by the strong wind, and came almost gently beside his boat. I had booked to leave the boat here and had been warned that I would probably have to breast up - the other boater hadn't been told this! Any way he was very friendly and helped me moor up beside both him and the boat behind!

That lunchtime I explored the village - really lovely and peaceful with some beautiful large houses. Unfortunately not very many passing boaters get to see the village as the only moorings are outside the nice looking pub or the boat club, or unless you walk down from Zouch.

On Saturday set off to Devon for granddaughter Lauren's 4th birthday and a week's holiday with her family. I was luckily provided with an upgrade on the hire car as the driver delivering took 45 minutes to find me despite giving him an accurate postcode - the boat club was not easily seen so I had been standing by the road all that time!

On through Leicester

After Chris and Mary left I collected a hire car to drive to Kent to spend 10 days with son Graham and family, including 2 birthdays. Tom was 2 and his mum was a bit older!

I returned to boat on Monday - all was well. Glad I took a risk and left it at Kilby Bridge - took the precaution of mooring opposite BW staff live aboard! Chris arrived at 8.15 am next morning and I saw nb Woodlander at water point - they would like to travel with us. 8.30 set off on a fine day, bit windy but dry, and had a good journey to Leicester. Woodlander stopped at Castle Gardens and we moored opposite for an hour to have lunch. The moorings were full but no boaters about so we set off to complete the journey through Leicester.

North Lock was pretty grim and the area was full of rubbish. 8 years ago we moored at Limehouse Lock (by Abbey Gardens, opp BW yard) to visit Tesco but somehow it looked even worse this time and I was glad we didn't need to shop. Next was Belgrave Lock and from then on the journey was much more pleasant. Few boats moored at Birstall - and it was a nice area to stop but Chris was looking forward to the Steak Night at the Hope and Anchor so we pressed on. Glad we did because it was most enjoyable - and came with free wine too!

Chris left the next morning and I went with him on the bus to Leicester where I spent 4 hours seeing the sights, including a look at the Castle Gardens moorings - yes I can see why they are not secure (as advertised by BW) - I am sure even I could get over the fences! How about some of those razor points on top!

Next morning I went to L R Harris boatyard - where I had the gearbox oil pumped out and refilled - I am paying the price for not having it done regularly (no boatyard has even suggested it when I had services) and have found that I have no neutral gear - difficult to stop! They were very pleasant and also train RCR staff which is comforting to know. I went on to moor for the rest of the day above Junction Lock.

Friday I pressed on - tempted to moor at the lovely Sileby Mill but continued to Mountsorrel as my brother in law, daughter and family are visiting from west of Leicester on Sunday. Now can spend a few days exploring the area and catching up with some of these jobs -including touching up the paint after the trip boat at Syston had sped repeatedly past and scraped me on the awful angle iron edging - despite using BIG fenders. Why do trip boats always have to go to fast - do they like to shorten the passengers journey?

Crick Show, Welford, Market Harborough and northwards

Well Crick Show was a weatherwise success this year - only 1 shower and we hardly noticed as we were enjoying lunch and the entertainment at the time. Very dissappointed that no Cornish pasty van this year - apparently they had arrived and left - not sure why. Actually looked over a few boats - the first time for 5 years! Nantwich CC (they built my last boat) had a very unusual design - including a sliding roof. Who said no side view from armchair but good for spotting bird poo? Managed to spend a fair bit too - it is not difficult!

Chris and Mary joined me for the show and we had our first BBQ, a few good evenings with fellow moorers, as well as meeting up with 'old' friends at the show.

We left Tuesday morning to much changed weather - back to fleeces and windproofs. Explored Welford for the first time and early Wednesday went down the lovely Foxton flight - Mary enjoyed it so much she wanted to do it again - she should have done it 12 years ago with Peter and I when we set off in hot sun and shorts - we had a thunderstorm as we descended and got a good soaking! But I know what she means, it is delightful. The wind got up again as we went down to Market Harborough where we had a lovely meal in the pub at the entrance to the basin.

Thursday we set off in lovely sunshine to travel the locks to Kilby Bridge, where Chris and Mary jumped ship on Friday morning.