I painted both tunnel bands and the red bits on the bow. It was the first time I'd used masking tape on the boat (yes, I know) and I think it was remarkably successful.
For reference, here is what the bow looked like before.
As well as wielding the blacking roller and welding sticks Ollie is the master of the boat-lifting crane.
It certainly looks like a fun toy to play with, although there is a certain amount of responsibility too!
Once we were put back in the water we set off for Foxton. We must have just missed a "down" slot as we had to wait for four boats to come up. There was a further delay as we waited for a single boat to reach the half-way pound before we could descend the second staircase.
We tied up for the night outside the Foxton Locks Inn, which was closed. I fancied a pint at the Bridge 61 pub after tea, but when we walked round the bunch of drinkers outside explained that that pub was closed as well. Difficulty in getting staff to work the evenings, apparently. They were a friendly bunch of chaps who encouraged us to get our own drinks and join them, which we did.
The next day (Tuesday 10th) we travelled to Market Harborough. You need a good run-up to close the swing footbridge. If you let the momentum drop it comes to a stop and is impossible to get going again without opening it again.
In the evening we found the Cherry Tree pub in Little Bowden and met up with two of the drinkers (Steen(?) and Mark) from the previous day. We did not join them in the Bengal Kitchen as we had already eaten.
My Railcard was finally delivered to North Kilworth Marina today, so I cycled the 7.5 miles along the A4304 to get it. And 7.5 miles back. The return journey was quicker as it seemed to be more downhill and the wind was in my favour.
An unpleasant aspect of our stay in Market Harborough was the outrageous and dangerous behaviour of youths on a quad bike on the narrow towpath both yesterday and today. They were speeding up and down, past our boat, with complete disregard for other - legitimate - users of the towpath.
Three dog walkers we spoke to said how they had been frightened as the quad bike roared past them at speed without giving way. One said the quad bike swerved round her and almost hit her dog.
Jan phoned the police, who said they would "send someone to have a look". Of course, the youths had gone and it's very unlikely anything will happen. The police weren't interested in my photos; I can do no more.
We tied up just before Foxton. Nice and peaceful here (although a man did ride past quite fast on an electric bike - not the normal type with pedals, more like a motorbike with electric power - at least it was quiet).
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