Foxton

31st Aug - West of Sedgley's Bridge (9) to Foxton, Market Harbro' Arm, 2.5 miles 0 locks 1st September - Moored Foxton

A phone call from Chas and Ann yesterday morning gave us the good news that they would be arriving at Foxton that evening, so we spent yesterday catching up on one or two 'jobs' such as getting the washing machine out, no way could I wait until Crick or Braunston to use their Laundrettes! Running out of things to wear! A very pleasant day, very warm and for the last day of the month the sun shone all day long.

We left our mooring of the last few days promising ourselves to return one day, and made our way up to Foxton in the late afternoon. Chas and Ann arrived just before us, and met us just as we moored up, it was just great to see them again. Spent the evening in the pub that I had promised Wendie I would visit on the way back, and yes it was called the Shoulder of Mutton, and yes, the tucker was excellent, the staff so friendly too, a great night out.

Today we moved down to the junction hoping to get up the Foxton Staircase Flight this afternoon, but we were unlucky with so many boats coming down the flight we had no chance when the last boat from the top emerged at just after 4.20pm, the last entry to the flight today was 4.15pm, so the lock keeper padlocked up. Tomorrow is fine, we are in no hurry. It gave me time to have a look around Foxton this evening, a very sad place it is, Foxton Boat Services in their temporary home looks a shambles, although they are still trying to trade.

The work due to be done here by BW has not materialised, although planning was passed in 2001 for a supa dupa new area to attract tourists, with a new 'BW Pub' and information area, nothing has been done, its a very very sad sight.

With most of the day taken up with 'wait and see' the four of us chatted and talked about where to base for winter, we will spend it together again this year. Looking at the winter stoppage list, there is an awful lot of maintenance going on to the south of Braunston, so we might have to re-think our original idea of the Southern Oxford Canal, but as long as I have a decent signal for my internet connection then I don't really mind which area..... Oh as long as the fishing is good too of course!

Another fine day is on the cards tomorrow, although I am not keen on staircase flights, I hate sitting behind those very high gates, but hopefully it will seem nothing to me after the awsome Bingly Five Rise.