Friday 28^th September 2018

We timed our departure so as to arrive at Friars Mill in the centre of Leicester between 11 and 12 o’clock, when any boats that were going to leave would have left, but before any boats would normally arrive.

The cruise was only two hours, arriving at 11:15, but a cruise of great contrasts. The first mile was narrow, twisting, very rural and seemingly isolated. There were a number of multi-arched bridges under which it was not obvious which arch to take. At Belgrave Lock the surroundings began to change.

Beside the lock is a massive weir and in the distance, a building not dissimilar to the Gherkin in London. It looked to be a giant inflatable building, but apparently it houses the National Space Centre.

The area then became very urban, not all of it nice. On one side were old mills in the process of being transformed into apartments, on the other, the backs of terraced housing. Quite a few other old mill buildings stood looking very neglected. The local Sea Cadet building had an old naval gun looking out over the river. Frog Island, at North Lock, looked intimidating and unwelcoming.

Beyond this lock, on a bend was another huge, long weir, over which the river flows but you have to travel right alongside. There were no barriers at this weir and the columns supporting the pathway above were easily far enough apart to allow a narrowboat to pass and go over the weir.

Past the weir we started to look out for the moorings. According to our out of date guide, the moorings in Leicester are at Castle Gardens a bit further down. But we had been hearing of better, modern moorings at Friars Mills. When we saw them, it was almost too good to be true. Really nice, secure moorings with water, electric hook-up and locked gates.

Once moored, we walked into the city itself. The centre is not big but it has so much to offer. The market is fantastic, lots of nice fruit and veg stalls, mulit-cultural, so quite a lot of the veg we don’t recognise. The meat and fish market too, was fascinating, dealing as it does with many cultures. We ate from a take-away noodle stall, lovely.

Afterwards we visited the King Richard III centre, but had to go in separately on account of Harvey. This is well worth a visit. The cost is a bit steep at £8.95 each (although I got an over-60’s discount) but it is well worth the money. We now know where the inspiration for “Game of Thrones” comes from. A complex period of our history.

After the museum we went into the Cathedral where Richard III is interred. The cathedral is not big, but the visit was very moving and poignant.

L

Harvey was been going off his feet quite a bit lately, mainly with his rear, left leg. It is a worry. After walking for a while, we are having to carry him. Hopefully he has just pulled something in it and it will get better. He is being left on the boat tonight and we are hoping he is OK, he has only been left twice before, both for short periods.

      

      

                                                            We left the boat for the theatre to see the production of

                                                              “The Wipers Times”. It was a marvellous show and we both 

                                                              thoroughly enjoyed it. It makes us wonder why we never

                                                             went to the theatre much before, we always enjoy it when                                                                              we do go.

             we do go.

Weather: hot and sunny.

Day Total: 3 locks; 4 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.0

Overall Total: 231 locks; 414 miles; 15 tunnels; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 249.2