Too much undergrowth

Yep, we lit the stove but only to burn some letters. It had turned surprisingly warm late afternoon when the sun put in an appearance and warmed the boat nicely. Those wind gust in the excess of 40 mph buffeted the boat most of the night and thank goodness we were in the open. No trees to worry about although, looking on the stoppages, I see a tree has come down on our home canal (the Erewash) by bridge 11 near to Sandiacre.

Seven locks to do today and for once they were all with us and no dramas. The only hairy moment was trying to get diesel at Debdale. The wind blowing straight out of the marina entrance pushed FS every way except where I wanted her to go. In the end, I put the bow against the marinas concrete edge, Ian got off and then with the bow rope heaved the bow around so I could get in. We had been told diesel here was 67p so was slightly disappointed to find it at 72p. Never mind we needed fuel so regardless of what we thought, money changed hands.

Only one tunnel today and that was Saddington. The brolly was out ready to keep me dry, after all, we have had a lot of rain recently, but it was not needed. The few drips we did have was from the southeastern end but what was very noticeable as we exited was the amount of offside (and nearside) growth reducing the channel size. How on earth a wide beam would get through is anyone's guess.

Destination today was Market Harborough. We passed Foxton bottom lock (this flight we will do in a few days) and made the left turn into the arm. Two swing bridges negotiated of which one was a road bridge and after 90 minutes of pleasant cruising, arrived at the basin.

Even with the wind, Ian made a decent job of winding the boat and we pulled onto the services. From this position, I could watch the antics of two-day boats also battling with the elements. Most entertaining.

Hardly a space to be had as the visitor moorings were almost full. We pulled into a gap only to realise that our bow overhung private residential moorings. We hoped that the missing boater wouldn't return but we needn't have worried as the boat behind left within the hour of mooring up leaving us free to pull back into the space.

And seen on route,

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