23rd July 2011 - And all of a sudden it's very busy

Not sure if it's because it's the weekend, or whether or not Barrow, Normanton, Zouch and Kegworth are particularly popular? But I leave Barrow at about 0800, cruise uneventfully for 3.5 miles to Loughborough, some interesting buildings here, drop through Loughborough lock, get to Bishop Meadow lock, passing a boat between the two, and see two boats ascending Bishop Meadow. I decide to top off the water at the top as there's a third boat waiting to come up, then In I go and there are two more waiting! All the way to Kegworth it's non-stop boats, the most I've seen for 3 weeks or so. I thought I might stop at Zouch, but the moorings were pretty full and the lock was ready for me, with yet more boats on the way up, perhaps there's a rally in Loughborough? I don't want to go too much further, need to leave a bit of cruising for the next three days, and fit a visit to 'The Nadee' Indian restaurant at Findern. So I stop on a shallowish spot about a mile short of Kegworth, just past a bend named 'Devils Elbow' And still the boats keep coming, including a lot of rowers whom I assume are something to do with Loughborough University. I take lunch and spot the salmon in the fridge that I meant to have with my broccoli and stilton last night, maybe I'll have it tonight then! Now what do I do with the burgers I was going to have tonight?

Barrow Lock:

Barrow Bridge:

Pillings Flood Lock (easy this one):

One of my facebook friends:

Today:     9 miles -     5 locks -        4 hours
So Far: 566 miles - 449 locks - 287.5 hours