Woke early…6.30am. Mark had said that he usually walks the
dogs, so I thought I’d be ready when he was.
With time to kill, I busied myself with writing the blog from yesterday.
When you stay with someone it can be awkward trying to fit this in as you don’t
want to be typing your entries, whilst you are a guest in someone’s house, but
if you don’t get it done, then you forget things.
Not long after 7am Mark was up. I kept writing the blog
whilst he potted around downstairs. When I did get down there, he had the news
on, so I was able to get some info. Nothing major happening, just the usual
daily rubbish every country experiences. Piled the dogs in the car and off to
the meadow where he walks them. Met one of his fellow dog walkers there.
Another chap named Peter. Enjoyed a nice walk and talk for about 45 minutes,
before heading home. Munched down some
cereal and croissants then sat around for a while trying to get some planning
done on the trip.
Had a phone call from Mum and Dad which was nice and they
gave us the update from back home. Seems like flu is going through the country.
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| Foxton Locks |
The plan for today was to head for Foxton locks, not too far away. Aside from
being very quaint and seeing the narrowboats coming through, it was great to
see the locks system in operation. We’ve seen this before many times on the
canals we’ve ridden, but this was a series of ten locks and it never fails to
impress with the technology they had two hundred years ago and how simple they
made it look. Took a walk around before
having something to eat in one of the café/ pubs on the towpath. That was enjoyable and another walk followed
by ice creams was then on the agenda.
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| with Pete's cousin Lesley and her husband Mark |
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| No room for error! |
Leaving the locks, we ventured into
Market Harborough where we hoped to pick up some camping gas and exchange some
Euros. Had the gas, but only a larger bottle so we left it for a smaller one we’d
seen earlier in a DIY shop. The Euro is worth bugger all to the pound, which
was disappointing, but not a lot we can do about it. Market Harborough is a
lovely town full of planters filled with the most beautiful flowers all over
the place. Hanging baskets are also plentiful and it really makes the town look
spectacular. Had a coffee at the Swan pub, before heading home to plan our
route for the next couple of days.
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| Flowers aplenty at Market Harborough |
At 6pm, after showering, we drove to Ray’s house to pick him
up. He was shouting us a meal at The Hare pub in Lodington. Lovely pub, but we
should have known it was going to be a strange evening right away. Firstly,
Mark couldn’t get what he wanted (pork belly)….they’d run out. Got his next
choice which came with feta cheese. Then, after about half an hour, they came
to tell him that they had no feta..! Sorted that problem by choosing another
cheese, but by now we’d been waiting an hour with just drinks. Ray was not
impressed and let them know. To be fair, the waitresses we had were very
helpful and told us one of the chefs had called in sick at the last minute.
Meals arrived and we chatted as we ate. When it came time for dessert, you
wouldn’t believe it, Mark once again ordered a dish that they didn’t have….that’s
three strikes and you’re out buddy…! Arrived home after a lovely, yet strange
evening and sat around talking until 11.15pm before we were all ready for bed.
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