Thursday saw us completing the River Soar and having gone through Kings Lock we entered the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line. The water level was really low and we got stuck under Bridge 103 but BW quickly came to our aid and the journey continued. On Friday a tree across the canal was completely blocking our path but again BW came to the rescue and half the tree was cut down and removed so we off we went again. But by Saturday we reached Foxton Locks and moored in the lower pound. A good evening meal in the canal side pub prepared us for the day ahead. On Sunday we changed our plans and instead of climbing the flight we went along the Market Harborough Arm to Union Wharf in the hope that the pump out was working. But when we arrived everything was shut for the day. However a good mooring was available so we prepared to stay for the night. A walk into town found Tesco's open and we had lunch in the Waterfront Restaurant.
By 9am Friday we were ready and waiting for the pump out, but it was broken and never going to be repaired. So we returned along the arm and climbed the Foxton Flight after an hour wait. The following canal length was without locks so a very pleasant cruise. We even managed to find a marina with a working pump out and a quiet mooring. On Tuesday we descended the Watford flight having gone under the M1, and continued to Norton Junction via Crick and the Crick Tunnel.
By Wednesday we were on the GU main line and heading for the 2 mile long Blisworth Tunnel. Things were going well and hoped to get through the Stoke Breune Locks but that we proved impossible so we stopped another night on the towpath bank. The short trip on Thursday morning saw us arrive at the Kingfisher Marina in Yardley Gobion, La Licorne's new home.
So our first trip ended with mixed emotions..............
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