Foxton to Thorpe Langton, along Leicestershire Round

 Tuesday 26th October, with Marta. 11.5 miles, there and back.

The flight of ten locks was busy

View over the inclined plane.

From the top car park we walked down past the museum and the locks. Past the pub and shop we turned right along the canal until we reached the sign for the Leicestershire Round, taking us through the village, and joining the footpath through a gate close to some houses.

The route was pretty clear today, with Leicestershire’s yellow posts proving helpful as ever.  The path heads east then slightly north to join the B6047.

We crossed and found the path easily just after Bowden Business Park. Usually we have to fight our way through vegetation - nettles and brambles, but luckily this has been well cleared recently and it was a delight to walk through the short wooded section.

The path continues east. After a fairly big field we turned left (north) and headed towards the A6. A flight of steps (after a gate) takes us down to the road - the trickiest one to cross on this walk with no central island.

Once more several fields to cross. The conditions today were reasonable - dry and firm. Most of the field boundaries now have gates rather than stiles, which makes life easier.

We strayed slightly from the path as we approached East Langton, walking with the hedge on our right, rather than our left. I was disappointed to find that the seat I’d been planning to use for a break has gone. No problem, we found a spot in the village.

As we continued we spotted another dog fouling sign - I suspect this works better.

The path leaves East Langton at the point where Back Lane turns at a right angle. The path is clearly marked all the way to Thorpe Langton from here, and there are wide views south over the valley. Most fields have kissing gates, but there was one awkward farm gate which we had to go back and close properly. Luckily the sheep were not feeling adventurous today.

At Thorpe Langton, St Leonard’s church was closed, as usual. We had a brief wander round the village then set off back to Foxton.

Some seasonal colour in East Langton

and a rather beautiful horse

 On the return leg we took the path towards the chemical factory near the canal. This path was also much clearer and easier than in previous years.  We crossed the road and joined the towpath back to the Locks and lunch.

Unfortunately we were unable to renew out acquaintance with Jack Cryer, as he is now reclining on the floor of the room that no longer belongs to the Top Lock cafe - for now.

His cup of tea on the window ledge

he watches through the glass

a narrowboat goes through the lock

a gleam of polished brass

Jack kept the lock when working boats

hauled goods along the water

Couples toiled and lived on board

along with sons and daughters.

The hour or so it took to rise

the seventy feet or more

was put to use in passing news

and building living lore.

Now Jack stands there, cast in bronze

beside the window still

to watch another motley crew

rise and descend this hill.

We walk the tow path one fine morn

and pause for tea and cake.

You stand near Jack in mirror pose

and bring the past awake.

Oct 2012