Days 18 - 20 Wistow to Fleckney and Foxton

On Sunday morning, we left our Wistow mooring and headed for Fleckney to pick up provisions. The village Co-op there is accessible from bridge 73 via a field full of cows.

Early morning on our mooring at Wistow

Final view of Wistow church

One of the five locks before Fleckney

Jan emptying a lock

Some pounds on this stretch are very shallow, even in the middle of the canal and we went aground twice but got off with a bit of effort and use of the poles.

Teepees at Bridge House Barn

Traditional hedge laying using hazel wands

We moored for the evening just above Ross Bridge and in the morning travelled through Saddington Tunnel (880 yards).  This was built in 1797 and is slightly crooked, a noted home to local bats and reputedly haunted by Anna a headless ghost (we saw neither).

Approaching the tunnel, looking for boats coming the other way

Looking back, from midway through

Light at the end

Denis steering in the dark

Coming out

Debdale Wharf, a good stop for diesel and other services.  They also do blacking, including the bottom plate, using this rather large crane.

Stormy weather on the way?

Entering the basin below Foxton locks, with the weather clearing

This boat was exiting the bottom lock as we turned left to go through the swing bridge onto the Market Harborough arm.

Tranquil scene on the Market Harborough arm