As we approached Leicester we joined the River Soar which has been in flood after the recent rains. Although now down to navigable levels, it was very fast flowing and progress over the ground was very rapid! Navigating near weirs needed some confidence - the wide weir alongside the Leicester City football ground is quite intimidating as it is approached. In fact it was not as difficult as some of the narrower weirs later on.
The centre of the city has been very much improved, with many new developments. No-one wants to buy an apartment and overlook a tatty canal so no doubt there has been a lot of pressure to keep the area tidy! Sadly, some of the efforts have been spoilt by graffiti 'artists'.
By the time we reached Birstall the river was becoming more of a challenge. We moored for lunch below the lock as Christine expected to have a view of the school where she taught for three years at the end of the Sixties. She did not take into account that the open land that surrounded the school in those days is now covered by extensive housing estates! Over lunch she mused that some of the pupils she then taught (it was an Upper School) will now be in their late fifties and probably grandparents themselves.
We paused at Cossington to take a look at the Old Mill restaurant (listed in Nicholsons) which we went to several times when we lived in Loughborough. Imagine then, dear reader, our disappointment to discover that it has now closed and is a private home. Some very dilapidated signs were the only indication of what was once here. We obviously cannot dine here tonight as hoped.
As we emerged from Sileby lock we were confronted by the river blocked by a boat that was attempting to turn around but had become stuck with the incredible maelstrom of water swirling around below the weir alongside the lock. Eventually they freed themselves but it was a reminder of just how powerful moving water can be.
Concerned to find a safe overnight mooring we took the next available space - the last visitor mooring above Barrow Deep lock - not necessarily the location of choice under more normal circumstances but at least it feels safe!
