Hail to the Hive!

Although we really don't have any real agenda when it comes to where we plan to go long term on the Canal Network we are making our way somewhere first.

Leicester

and the reason is after being away for so many years I want to see family and friends before we go wandering aimlessly. Even though there will be restrictions we can still easily do this on the canal in small numbers and outdoors.

So Leicester bound we be!

So we turned off the Oxford Canal and onto the Grand Union Canal and then to the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union and very quickly were faced with a flight of 7 locks at the Watford flight.

Now these locks were slightly different to the ones we have done previously in that they are 'Staircase Locks'

Luckily the Canal and River Trust had Volunteers manning these locks ( which i was happy about being new to everything) and we were assisted on the way up.

The way these operate is that its the water in the actual next lock that empties into the one below rather than there being a length of canal in between the individual locks.

Once at the top lock we noticed a water point so we readily filled our water tank knowing that a nice long shower would not deplete our water tank now. Happy boat people we be now 😁

It took a while so we obviously used more water yesterday than we realised.Easily done when indulging in a hot shower.

Cute setting.

I decided to indulge in a curry flavoured pot noodle as it was cold and I was hungry and pot noodles are the food of the gods.

And off we go again.

Ah hah! A signpost. 38 miles to our destination.

It may be clear but it is bitterly cold and looks like rain is coming. Please no....

And indeed it is. Ok that's me done, inside, heating on and oh yeah, HOT SHOWER TIME!

The next morning looked a bit brighter but it was colder still. Brrrrrr.

It's just as well this stretch headed north is beautiful otherwise the cold would force me to quit for the day.

Progress! 23 miles to go.....

Steady as she goes

We are now officially in the county of Leicestershire 😁. it;s going to be strange headed into my hometown in this manner. Still a ways to go as we don't move fast. We also have Foxton Locks coming up tomorrow which is 2 flights of 5 locks each going back down. I am looking forward to that as we used to go there for days out when i was younger and i also used to take my son when he was little there also. Looking forward to that.