alexia

Hi alan I was at Napton at begining of September and the Folly Shop is definitely open and a great asset to boaters. The gentleman who runs the shop told me that the previous landlord of the Folly Inn just upt and left the week before, the Open sign was still on the canal bank. The owners were already interviewing prospective new landlords and expected it to re-open shortly.

Hi Mark Did the Leicester Ring this year in May and the only problem was missing the possible floods on the rivers Trent and Soar. It was a bit hairy leaving the safety of the canal when the waterlevel was almost in the RED. But we were siutably assured by the Lock keeper at Sawley that we would be OK as the levels were dropping. Set off from Kings Bromley on the T & M. Good brand new Boats available from Aqua Narrow Boat Hire or Acer Naroboat Hire both based at the Marina there. Have used them both this year. The ring is very interesting with part river, narrow and broad canals. Like you I was nearly put off by all the comments about Leicester but we found it no problem at all. Very little mooring actually in centre of Leicester. The problem area can be around Glen Parva just south of city as this is where the Paddles are BW locked to protect against vandals. Having said that we enjpyed the area and I have walked the dogs there in the summer and found it very nice and the people friendly. We teamed up with another boat for the trip through Leicester as they are all double locks and with only 2 of us it made it a real treat when we encountered the locked paddles. The other couple have done it several times in their own boat and have had no problems. We moored at Thurmaston, north of the city (Great for wildlife as it is by the waterpark) and Kilby Bridge to the south (good walk to the shop but worth it for the local butchers). The mooring at the Tea Rooms at Kings Lock looked fine when we came by and again when I walked there in the summer with the dogs. It takes about a Day to get through depending on the traffic. Incidently found the Lock Keepers and all the BW employees we met on the trip very helpful and kind. We enjoyed the trip despite the weather in May and are now planning our next years trip on the Cheshire Ring. I am sure that you will enjoy the trip and hope that you have better weather than we did. Regards Alexia