A FINE DAY AT FOXTON LOCKS

A FINE DAY FOR FOXTON LOCKS

With the weather we have had this year we have decided not to let it stop us doing the things we like and with that in mind, and the fact that I did not want to face any housework we set off for Foxton Locks in Leicestershire.

For those of you who have never been it is a great place to spend a few hours just wandering along the canal side and marveling at the steps of locks that go up (or down depending on where you park your car).

 It is a marvelous feat of Victorian engineering and at one time there was a lift to the side of the locks themselves which lifted the boats from the top to the bottom.  Sadly this has long gone but the building that was the old boiler house for it is now used as a museum.

To either side of the locks are scenes of rolling fields which to me epitomize the English countryside with a village nestled in the hills and cows grazing in the distance.

The lock itself is very narrow and there is only just enough room to get a narrowboat down it.

We parked int he top car park and walked down and had a cup of coffee sitting watching the boats but more so a pair of swans with their cygnets who were busy seeing off any dog that came in their vicinity.

I just love the sign for the boat rip - now that was really vintage....


After walking further along the canal we decided to turn around and return to the car so we walked back uphill.

and what did we espy........

yes - the fudge boat - and did we buy any - well what do you think........

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER - WELL CANAL

We had a lot planned for today, look for a new summer house, sort out some fencing and shelve out the utility room. When we got up the sun was shining and all our plans went out the window, we did get as far as going out to look for a summer house and priced up a couple but decided the day was just too nice to waste on chores and we took ourselves off for a walk.

We are now living close to the canal at Buckby Wharf and decided to take a walk along the tow path and then treat ourselves with a drink at the pub that sits on the canal on the way back.

I want to live in this little cottage it is in the most idylic spot

In the banks by the canal I found two of my favourite spring flowers

Cowslips and

Violets

After the walk we sat outside the pub and had a drink while we watched the canal boats going through the lock.

Could not resist taking a photo of this lady who was seeing her boat through the lock gates, she was a dab hand with manouvering those heavy gates and she had the most wonderful array of dreds and matching necklaces - brilliant.  What a wonderful way to people watch than to sit on the canalside, glass of wine in hand and the sun shining down on us

Oh well did not get much done today but there is always tomorrow and sometimes it is nice just to take a day off from the plans and chill out - now back to my glass of wine.