Foxton Staircase and the Inclined Plane

Foxton to North of Husbands Bosworth Tunnel, GU Leicester Section, 4.5 miles 10 locks

Foxton flight of 10 locks was a delight, I really enjoyed the trip up, mind you I was just required to keep moving the boat forward when the gates in front were opened for me, a skippers delight! Vic did well today, especially as I shouted into the boat that the lock keeper was ready for us to start our accent, and we were required to enter the bottom lock in about 2 minutes time, well he still had shaving foam on his face at the time, and he emerged within a minute with no cuts! Teehee

It didn't take long to 'do' the flight, and had time to make a cuppa for us both and for the lock keeper who helped us through the first 5 before disappearing back to help Moore 2 Life with the climb.

Mooring at the top, went back to have another look at where the inclined plane actually was, and there are still remenants and tracks on the hillside. Then a visit to the museum showed exactly how it was all those years ago, a very interesting half hour browsing round and looking at all the excellent models, some working models too, a fantastic feat it was to build that in just 2 years. When it was dismantled, in 1928 I think I remember it was, the scrap metal sold for just £280!

Time to leave Foxton then, but not before doing a Tesco order which we will pick up at Welford tomorrow evening. I hope next time we see this flight, something will have been done with the British Waterways buildings at the bottom and the on-going restoration work of the inclined plane itself will show a little more detail.

Did a few miles this evening and stopped short of Husbands Bosworth Tunnel for the night. Just had enough time for some fishing, but alas, the fish were not very hungry.

Hope tomorrow the weather continues as it has done for the last few days. Oh yes, by the way, I have just put up the first of the September Pics in the albums, the link for that is to the left.