FRIDAY, 6TH & SATURDAY, 7TH MAY
We left Market Harborough and went back to its junction with the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union. Here we turned right and carried on northwards towards Leicester. We aren't intending to go through Leicester. We shall go as far as Kilby Road Bridge, use the BW facilities there, we need a pump out, and then turn round and make our way slowly back to the Welford Arm. We shall moor up there for three nights, as Trev has been invited to go on a Whispergen course at Whaley Bridge, to be run by the people who commissioned our Whispergen.

The scenery was as pretty as ever. We didn't have a destination in mind for tonight, and as we went along we found a delightful spot, all on its own with lovely views and decided that this would be ideal for us. It was close to a village called Smeeton Westerby, what a perfect English name! Just after we'd moored up, we had a phone call from friends who live in Leicester, to say could they come to see us tomorrow. So we stayed here for two nights.

Our friends took us to a pub in Mowseley, called The Staff of Life, and we had an excellent lunch. They even insisted on paying! Now that's what I call real friends! They came back to the boat, and they'd brought a dessert with them, so it was a really enjoyable day. It was good to see them again. The last time had been on the LLangollen, when they came with four other friends, and we all had a great day then. Thanks, Trish & Mike!!

SUNDAY, 8TH MAY
The weather has been awful for the last few days, heavy rain storms, lovely sunshine and then strong winds, all following each other in quick succession all through the day.

It wasn't any better today. We set off around noon, heading for Kilby Road Bridge. It was a long day, twelve locks and bad weather. But we soldiered on, the stalwarts that we are, and eventually arrived at Kilby Road Bridge. We inserted the Bw card in to the pump out machine and nothing happened. Needless to say, Trev was sure it was me who had done it all wrong. On the door of the pump out machine it said that cards could be purchased at The Navigation pub, so I walked up there and bought another one, GBP6.50. I gave it to Trev, so that he could do it properly............And it didn't work! There was a fault with the machine. So we'd given it two cards, @ GBP13, and got nowhere. We couldn't get in touch with anyone at BW, as it was Sunday. So, we filled up with water, offloaded the rubbish, turned round and set off back.

We had to go quite a way before we could find anywhere to moor, back through six locks. But in the end, we found a lovely mooring spot, and tied up for the night. Talking to people later about our experience with the pump out machine, we were told that this machine is always out of order and there is usually a sign on the door to that effect. However, there was no sign when we were there. It's a bit frustrating to have gone so far for a pump out and then to find it's not working. We could have been really stuck, but fortunately our holding tank wasn't full.

MONDAY, 9TH MAY
The weather didn't improve today. We got to the bottom of Foxton Locks, and I went to find the lockie to say we would like to come up the flight. He said to wait at the bottom and he would come and find us when it was OK for us to go up. There was a couple of boats coming down, which had to come out first. After about half an hour, he fetched us, and we set off. The minute we got in to the first lock the heavens opened and we did the whole flight in a really heavy downpour. I was the lucky one, really, because I steered and stayed under an umbrella. Trev and the lockkeeper got drenched, as did another man who kindly offered to help. It took about an hour to do the flight of ten.

Then the sun came out and we set off again, along the summit of the Leicester Branch, and one of the highest in the country. The views were outstanding.

TUESDAY, 10TH, WEDNESDAY, 11th & THURSDAY 12TH MAY

Beautiful weather today! The May blossom is coming out and smells sweet. There are fields of oil seed rape as far as the eye can see, the countryside rolls away in huge undulations, the skies have to be seen to be believed, so wide and open, with wonderful cloud formations. There are cattle with calves, sheep with lambs, the whole scene almost makes one giddy with its richness. Spring is everywhere, the land is bursting with life.