Thursday 7^th July; into Willow Tree Marina

After a quiet night we pottered about until it was time to set off for the marina.  I chatted to our neighbour on the mooring, a continuous cruiser who is just returning from a trip up to the end of navigation.  He was indignant that many people never consider cruising the Ashby because of its reputation for deficiencies in the depth department.  Later, other moorers in the marina and the lady in the farm shop said what a shame it was that people didn’t come and find out for themselves.  We’re pleased to be revisiting.

Andy showed us where to tie up, and it wasn’t long before we were chatting to some other moorers.  It’s a lovely little marina, friendly, laid-back, quiet and attractive. 

Car park this way

Water, electric hook-up, rubbish disposal and a slipway are the facilities – no fuel, elsan or pump-out, so we’ll need to go to Bosworth marina for those when we return.  Mooring here is bow in only, to reduce the risk of damage to the bank.

That's us in the middle

Dave had booked a local taxi to get back to North Kilworth to collect the car.  The first firm we called was over the budget we had set, but the second was within.  And a 30-minute taxi ride was preferable to over 4 hours by bus, 2 trains and another bus – and that’s only if he could make all the rather tight connections. 

I walked Meg back along the canal to the Spinney Farm Shop, mostly because they sold ice cream.  Do you remember, years ago before people had domestic freezers, you had to wrap a block of ice-cream from the shop in newspaper to keep it cold while you walked home?  Otherwise on a hot day it would have run out of its cardboard box before you got there.  I was prepared and had taken some along.  The owner said she always offers to wrap ice cream, but younger people have no idea what she’s talking about.  I also bought some frozen chicken breast for tomorrow night – we have family arriving shortly after we expect to get home and they will want feeding!  And for lunch, an excellent large sausage roll, just out of the oven.   If you were hoping to visit soon, be aware she is going to Australia on a family visit for a couple of months, and the shop will be closed.  But there is another farm shop near the next bridge!

Dave was back in time to enjoy his half of the sausage roll for lunch, having had an easy drive.  It was too hot to do much this afternoon, but he strolled over to Ashby Wharf on the other side of the bridge, which operates the hire fleet and has a chandlery.  It is now a separate business from the marina. He got some grease for the stern tube and then walked up to the village.  We made lists of what to bring next time, and took down one set of curtains for repair – the heading tape is fraying and needs replacing.

1 mile. 

On Friday we were awake by 6am, so we got up straightaway and were packed and ready to leave for home soon after 9.  There was heavy traffic for most of the journey – Friday is not a good day to use the motorways in the summer.  We hope to be back in a couple of weeks to cruise the Ashby, but haven’t decided what to do after that.  It’s so lovely having a boat again!

Early morning sunshine

Trip stats; 55 miles, 1¼ furlongs (50m, 5³/₄f narrow canals, 4m, 4f broad canals); 11 narrow locks, 6 broad locks; 3 tunnels (Crick, Braunston, Newbold).  Grand Union, Leicester Line, North Oxford and Ashby canals.