Arrive top of Foxton Locks

Since our last entry we have thoroughly enjoyed our cruise along the summit level of the 'Old Union Canal'. It is at least three years since we last cruised this section, and then it was only as far as Yelvertoft marina. It is so nice to be on a canal where you can enjoy total peace and quiet at night time. No trains, no cars, no aircraft flight path and for two nights no other boats anywhere near us.

We came through the infamous wet Crick tunnel with hardly a drip!

Looking back, having just entered Crick Tunnel



Our roof lights in Crick Tunnel and the far end.

 Considering we are in the height of the summer season it is remarkably low numbers of boats cruising this section, from past experience it used to be very busy at this time of year, and if it were not for the Hire boats which are probably 90% of what is moving along here, you could be forgiven for thinking we are suddenly in the winter season.

The only disappointment for us has been the desperate need for some sections of the canal to be dredged. We have found it necessary to go on low rev's when passing oncoming boats, and even then have found ourselves dragging on the canal floor, let alone trying to maintain progress at all.

Yesterday we moored just before 'Freemans Bridge' (48), but try as we might could not get a TV signal on the aerial or sat' dish, so we decided to have a cuppa and rest for half an hour prior to moving on. After ten minutes or so we heard a lot of shouting and calling of a name from the direction of the boat that was moored a little way ahead of us. We looked at each other and both thought 'Oh no, another misbehaving dog up to no good and probably going to pee or crap on our ropes and  gunnels'. After a while I got up to look through the cratch window and saw a young woman clinging desperately to the stern of the boat in front. Jean and I ran out the back of our boat grabbing our recently purchased telescopic ladder as we went. Despite the dreadfully shallow water that we had endured cruising through all morning, this poor woman had been sunbathing on the roof of the boat, rolled over and fell into the canal where it turned out to be almost six feet deep. On arrival at the stern of her boat her 'friend' Lizzie had just appeared from inside the cabin and was trying to calm her down and giving her a 'life ring' to cling onto. I extended the aluminium ladder and placed it over the stern, but found the water so deep I had to cling onto the top step while she climbed out of the water. Not easy to do and somewhat painful to do, but there is no way we could have lifted her out, she was rather a 'Large Portion of Womanhood'. Oh well its all in a day, and certainly proved the worth of investing in the ladder.



Matts Dream, wet boater who we rescued

Today we have travelled just under three miles and moored at the top of the Foxton Staircase locks. Karen is coming over tomorrow for a visit and bring our post. Then we are expecting our friends Sue and Peter to join us on Saturday when we will hopefully go down the locks and cruise up to Market Harborough. Arranging car parking for them has been a nightmare however as the 'Long Term' car park stipulates no overnight parking, any contravention costing £60 fine, whereas the 'Short Term' car park says no more than four hours permitted and no overnight parking (£60 fine) but next to it a sign says 'Free Parking between 18:00hr and 09:00hr. The mind boggles.