From Bottom of Foxton Locks to the Top

Wednesday 26^th August

Coming into Foxton Bottom Lock

It was rather overcast and threatening rain this morning, so we decided to stay put and let it blow over and then go up the locks in the afternoon.  It brightened up around lunchtime, so I walked up the locks to find the lock keeper and he said we could come up the first staircase of five locks and then wait in the middle as there were 2 or three coming down.  We weren’t in a rush and at least we would have started the flight, so Kev went back to get the boat and I set the first lock.

As he was turning into the lock, there was another boat who had turned up and the chap shouted to Kev that the lock was his, but Kev said no we have booked with the lock keeper and he has told us to go up, he mumbled something but moved out of the way.  I think they did arrive around the same time as us, but were messing about getting into the side so I had gone and booked by the time they had done that so missed out.  I don’t think he was too pleased as they had to wait at the bottom while we went up and then the three came down, oh dear never mind!!

Five done, five to go!

We went smoothly up the first five locks with a few kiddies helping with the gates.  We moored up in the middle and waited for the three boats to come down.  They took quite a while but we didn’t mind as it was sunny and there was a bench just there so we sat there people watching and chatting to the lock keepers.

Waiting in the middle of the flights

At the top with our helpers

Eventually it was our turn and we worked our way up the last five locks.  We had two smaller boys on one gate and an older boy on the other gate, so it was easy for me as I just did the paddles.  They came all the way to the top with us so we rewarded them with a chocolate bar each for helping.

We chugged out of the last lock and moored in the visitor moorings at the top of the locks.  We chilled out for a bit then went for a walk down the locks.

Jazz Band at the pub

We decided to go and have some food in the Foxton Locks Inn which is right by the canal at the bottom of the locks.  We had a really nice meal, it was very good quality and generous portions. While we were eating, these old men came into the conservatory where we were sat and started setting up mics and instruments.  They were a jazz band, I think the youngest was over 70 and the singer was in his 80’s, but they were really good.

 It was almost dark by then, so we wandered back up the locks to the boat.  It’s a really good pub and we had a really nice evening.