How many layers?

19 locks, 11 miles, 30 minutes quick stop at Kilby Bridge for lunch, use of the facilities and remove whatever was making a horrible noise from the prop, (turned out to be copper wire) we did today's journey in a little over 8 hours.

Ian going in!!!

Our start point was, of course, Leicester, a very early start this morning and with roughly 4 hours sleep due to the fact it had been a Saturday night and all the nightclubs were blaring out their music (if you could call it that!) until well after 2am, getting up at 6am was a bit of a chore but we had set ourselves a goal of getting to Warwick and lack of sleep or no, we had to be away before 7am.

We call this the long mile. Dead straight with only a few bridges to capture your interest. Time was 7am

First river lock was Freeman's. A massive weir was at the top and not even a lock cutting to keep you safe. We, of course, we're going up but I still had to get Ian back on board at the landing. River conditions were perfect with the level gauge in the green so although this could be scary if there had been a decent flow, not so today.

Most of the river locks right up to Kings lock were all in our favour and at this lock, we finally left the river and entered the Grand Union Canal. Here we encountered Fisherman! Sunday local match was taking place and with a 10 o clock start, we happened to arrive at Whetstone lock as the whistle blew. 50 men along a one and a half mile stretch, all had just baited their swim and the looks we got well.... both of us would be 10 foot under by now and pushing up Daisys!  One guy shouted at me to keep in the middle! I was hardly hugging the bank but of course, he knew best!

Whetstone Lock

  Weather has been kind today although early afternoon and the dark skies behind us looked as if we were in for a soaking. Not so as the wind pushed them clouds away dropping their moisture on other unsuspecting folks.

Between Turnover lock and Bottom Half mile lock is a short pound. Bringing FS onto the landing and wondering why there was the amount of water cascading over Turnover lock bottom gates. Turns out a boat was on the way down. Wow, only the second boat seen on the move in 10 days.

Oh and that's me walking to do the final three locks of the day. Resembling Michelin Man I had on:- thermal socks, two T-Shirts, thick jumper, jeans with wet weather gear trousers over the top, a fleece, my big all-weather coat over that, ear warmers with a woolly hat over the top of that, scarf and gloves! Well, it WAS very cold first thing this morning and I couldn't be bothered to remove any layers during the day. Needless to say, doing those last three locks got me all hot and bothered!

So for the end of today's journey, we arrived a Newton Harcourt just after 3.15pm. Two very weary people but who have congratulated themselves on being nearer their goal of Warwick by Friday. Tomorrow a lie in....we don't have to leave before 8am!

And wildlife today,

First of this years lambs.