Foxton Locks

Here I am Rune

Distance 2.7 miles

Total 485 Locks 11 Tunnels

Running total mileage 661.4 miles

Not much in the way of mileage today but a big jump in the number of locks having now passed through the Foxton flight (10)once again. In fairness we passed through them fairly quickly, particularly as we were the first in the queue coming down so all of the locks were set in our favour following the last boat coming up the flight. This did initially cause a small piece of confusion when we went into the first lock as the system is there are two side paddles to open, one painted red and the other painted white (the same at Watford flight). The mental reminder is ‘Red before white you’ll be alright’ so you first open the red paddle which allows water into the next lock down from the side pound, then you open the white paddle which drains the upper lock into the side pound. The small confusion was caused by the fact that when the red paddle was raised on the first lock nothing happened! This was due to the fact that the lower lock into which we were travelling, was already full so everything from the upper lock goes into the side pound so the action only takes place as you open the white paddle. Soon sorted and on our way through the locks which takes less than an hour, watched by countless visitors to the locks. Tomorrow on to Market Harborough.

View from the top of the flight

Bronze statue of boy and horse near to top of flight

The flight itself

View from the bottom of the flight