We had a walk up into the village to get some milk and a paper for those that were expecting to sit and soak up the sun! This chap was there to great us as we walked up to the post office.
Postman Pat in his new home.
From the wharf there is a little 'pocket park that takes you up the hill towards the PO. The Wharf building was built when the canal was dug. For a long time Gilbert's ran the pub at the end along with a carrying and canal boat business. There are the remains of lime kilns at the head of the wharf and where the marina is was a gravel quarry. All cargo for the canal. The Wharf pub was also a dormitory for boat workers and also offices etc for the local trades men using the canal for transport. The building next to the facilities block would look to make a good rental property I
would say.
The head of the Welford Arm with the facilities block and wharf warehouse on the right.
We were away in good time, and good weather and headed back to the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union. We were soon through the lock and the bottom gates never seem to stay closed!
Chris at the helm and Tony doing the donkey work at Welford Lock. The only today.
We popped out and it turns out we were not far in front of a boat I had been chatting to in Market Harborough. This section is very bendy as it follows the 412ft contour. There are many narrow parts where the reeds encroach on the towpath side and the trees overhang on the off side. It seemed that it seemed more shallow on the tow path side than the off side too. There was steady traffic coming the opposite was and we met a few just where you wouldn't want to, and managed to not upset anybody or go aground etc.
This section of the canal has tempting views and is very quiet as there are no villages that are next to the canal. I thought we would glimpse a kingfisher down here for sure, but nothing seen. It is easier to see them in the spring/autumn whilst there are no leaves on the trees.
We pulled over at Yelvertoft to top up with water and then were soon off to stop at Crick near the road bridge. The others had a sit in the sun whilst I cleaned up the water pump and replaced a few LED bulbs with new no interference ones from Bedazzled. We then adjourned to the moorings for ice cream, cream teas and coffees. in the sun. We then thought it would be a good idea to wader into the village for a pint or two. We only got as far as the Wheat Sheaf and then back to the Red Lion on the way back I still haven't made it to the Royal Oak yet.
On the way back to the boat I spotted a load of hazel trees with loads of nuts so stopped to fill a bag full of them to see what I can do with them. It is a lovely evening and it seems to be quiet here at the moment.
Been followed to Yelvertoft.
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