BIRSTALL

There were very few boats moored last night at Kilby Bridge, and the few that were there and heading our way were already paired up for doing locks. So finding that we would be on our own to do 15 wide locks and 12 miles to reach the safe mooring of Birstall, and knowing that most of them were anticipating an 07:00 start, we decided to get up 05:30, have quick breakfast and get under way by 06;00hr in order to get a good head start.

What a great decision, not only was it lovely weather conditions at this early hour, but the first 6 locks that we arrived at were already set for us, we only had to open a gate, get the boat in and lock down. By 07:05 we had already completed 3 locks and a couple of miles.

The route through Leicester City was not the dreadful experience we had been led to believe. The water was deep, hardly any rubbish floating, a lot of straggly weed but nothing to tangle in the prop, no anti-social types throwing bricks or obscenities, just lots of cheerful people waving and saying hello.



Leicester City Football Ground by Freemans Lock

Think this is part of the Space Centre

Belgrave lock and Space Centre

Slacking1 - Can't get the staff!

There was a useful BW secure visitor mooring available right in the middle of town, {offside from towpath} enough room for about six narrowboats to moor on a floating jetty that is secured from inappropriate access by fence and a gate locked by use of regular BW watermate key.

This has to be one of the least used waterways on the system, the first boat we saw moving was not until 4 hours after we had set off, and by the time we had arrived at Birstall 13:20hr, we had only seen 5 boats in total.

Nicely relaxed now after having a shower, and supping a nice glass of chilled Pino Grigio, we are going to treat ourselves to a pub meal tonight to celebrate a good day of cruising.

Plan to get up same time again tomorrow and head for Kegworth Marine where we hope to look at a new tunnel light ( Francis Light ) for Josephine as ours is no longer watertight, and has become untrustworthy in use.