North again: Day 9

Another sunny morning, but still quite blustery.  We got under way at 8.30, and were soon passing the now defunct Hope and Anchor pub, which now looks as if it has no hope at all.  A little further along is the junction where the River Wreake comes in, so technically we were now travelling on that river.  The second lock of the day, Cossington, has a very awkward landing, not helped by a line of moored boats just above it.  After that, we were back on the River Soar, and it really opened out.

At Sileby Lock a boat was just going in — a single hander who was being helped by someone from another boat — and we joined him.  Below the lock, you get a decent view of the old mill, which is surrounded by a boat yard.

Mountsorrel Lock is next, but it was too early for the pub alongside to be busy — or even open.

Below the lock is an impressive bridge which carries a conveyer from the local quarry.  The conveyer seems to go for miles, and links to road and rail.

At Barrow, one house has a substantial boat house, while another has cherry trees along the river which are wearing socks, presumably to stop the birds getting the fruit.

When we’ve been here in the past, the river has been busy with all kinds of craft — but today all the swans, dragons, and cars were safely moored up at Barrow Boating.

Barrow Deep Lock took an age to fill, partly because one of the gate paddles was out of action.  Below it, there’s a bridge which feels quite tricky to get through because it’s on a bend and there’s quite a flow.

There are huge signs before Pillings Flood Lock warning that if the light is flashing it’s dangerous to proceed.  Levels are normal to low at the moment though, so the lock’s gates were all open and we could go straight through (so it’s not included in the lock count).

The run into Loughborough initially passes water meadows with cows wading about, and then the town arrives.  An old mill has been converted into flats, with big new blocks alongside.  It’s been very nicely done.

We moored up just before the Chain Bridge and after lunch went for a walk into Loughborough.  We headed for Queen’s Park.  There they have the cast for the Great Paul bell at St Paul’s Cathedral, which was made in Loughborough.

The war memorial vies with the one in Leek for being the most impressive we’ve seen — it’s a carillon tower, although it’s not clear when the bells actually sound.

There’s a new memorial being installed in the park too, again with a bell theme.  This one is to commemorate Covid victims.

Our route back took us through the busy town centre, and Adrian went and had a haircut, which he didn’t think was entirely successful.

11 miles, 5 locks.  (52 miles, 44 locks)