Woke up at 0540, too early, go back to sleep you fool, wake up 0815 much more like it! Put kettle on to sound of rain thumping down, think about how long I can hang around before biting my arm off, rain stops, that's better. Breakfast and coffee done and off we go again at 0900. It's a bit dark and gloomy, but it's at least dry for the moment. A rare couple of boats come the other way and my thoughts are on whether or not I should pop down the 1.5 mile Welford Arm. I've done it before, but not for ages, I've got time and it'll be nothing like the Slough Arm! I decide to do it, I can still be at Foxton locks with enough time to get down today. Then as I approach the junction, a boat coming the other way turns into the arm! I now have the choice of following right behind, with the subsequent wait at the lock and turning point, or carry on to Foxton, so I carry right on to Foxton, there'll be another time, it's really pleasant along here. Husband Bosworth (1166 yard) tunnel comes and goes along with many black, rainless clouds, there's even some blue bits appearing every so often! I arrive at Foxton top at 1245 and check in with the keeper. Boats coming up, you're second in line to come down. Good oh! I'll have a bit of lunch then. I have lunch and admire my water cans.
Looking down from the top lock:
My (pride and joy) water cans:
Lunch is over and I get bored, so I help the last two or three boats up. Then, after only an hours wait, we're off. The first boat is away and I set the top lock for me, in I go and the keeper appears. Jump on and I'll do the gates he says, then the paddles, then the gates etc etc. He locks me all the way down and I hardly turn the windlass! Pleasant, but I'd get very bored if it was like this all the time!! 50 minutes and we're down the 10 staircase locks. I tie up for the night on the moorings at the bottom.
Napton Bottom:
Today: 10.5 miles - 10 locks - 5 hours
So Far: 528.5 miles - 411 locks - 266 hours
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