Stopping between Kilby bridge and Leicester

[haggis]

We gave up as it was too hot (not used to all this sun) at Newton top lock this afternoon. We had planned to stop at Kilby bridge tonight then castle gardens the next night

The forecast for tomorrow is more sun so I don't think we will make castle gardens from here

Is there anywhere safe to stop between here and Castle gardens? A pub serving food would be nice but not essential

 

Haggis

[DaveP]

We stopped at Aylestone Lock last night, space for two boats on the offside top of the lock island. Quiet, Aldi a short walk away, good 4G on 3. No pub though. Now at Kilby Bridge and deeply appreciative of the showers...

 

Castle Gardens was full yesterday afternoon, and we couldn't get to tesco because of a graduation day taking place. There was space on the new pontoons 250m north though. Not sure if you can get through the development to the town from there though.

Edited July 17, 2016 by DaveP

[nicknorman]

We gave up as it was too hot (not used to all this sun) at Newton top lock this afternoon. We had planned to stop at Kilby bridge tonight then castle gardens the next night

The forecast for tomorrow is more sun so I don't think we will make castle gardens from here

Is there anywhere safe to stop between here and Castle gardens? A pub serving food would be nice but not essential

Haggis

Yes we northerners are wilting! Mind you, by 8 pm sitting on the towpath with G&T it's very pleasant. When we have done that trip before I've always considered that there isn't anywhere nice to stop between KB and the centre, but maybe someone else knows better. Those locks are heavy and hard work!

[haggis]

Thanks Dave,just checked the map and that is not far short of Castle gardens. Useful to know but we are looking for somewhere sort of half way between

Enjoy your evening and say hello when you meet kelpie tomorrow

 

Haggis

We stopped at Aylestone Lock last night, space for two boats on the offside top of the lock island. Quiet, Aldi a short walk away, good 4G on 3. No pub though. Now at Kilby Bridge and deeply appreciative of the showers...

 

Castle Gardens was full yesterday afternoon, and we couldn't get to tesco because of a graduation day taking place. There was space on the new pontoons 250m north though. Not sure if you can get through the development to the town from there though.

We always visit an oriental restaurant when we stop at Castle gardens even if we have to breast up

Don't know the name but know how to get there!

Haggis

Yes we northerners are wilting! Mind you, by 8 pm sitting on the towpath with G&T it's very pleasant. When we have done that trip before I've always considered that there isn't anywhere nice to stop between KB and the centre, but maybe someone else knows better. Those locks are heavy and hard work!

Yes Nick, we are just not used to lots of sun! And I agree about the locks being hard work

I told iain a few years ago that I would prefer not to do wide locks in future but I suggested this trip as we haven't done it for a while

Haggis

[Richard T]

Mooring above Kings Lock is also fine. No pub.

The new pontoons in Leicester are to be officially opened on 25th July. Access is via a locked gate on CRT padlock. Location is 250m north of West Bridge

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=52.636144~-1.143699&lvl=18&sty=h&sp=Point.ss5f5bgx44gs_New%2520pontoons____

[haggis]

Thanks Richard

Pity the pontoons are not open yet as castle gardens can get busy :-). That's two possibilities if we just can't make our destination

 

Haggis

[matty40s]

Above kings lock at Aylestone has two pubs within 500 yards.

[Richard T]

Thanks Richard

Pity the pontoons are not open yet as castle gardens can get busy :-). That's two possibilities if we just can't make our destination

 

Haggis

They are usuable. However access to the outside world may not be possible. - worth a try. You could ring CRT Central Shires at Peels Wharf Fazeley to see if they know if access is now possible.

[MHS]

5 years ago on this stretch, we had a very quiet and pleasant evening moored just south of Gee's lock. Just north of the sharp turn at Glen Parva Lodge. We opened the side hatch and enjoyed the view of the cows grazing in the fields opposite.

 

It was a short trip in the morning into Leicester, to moor for the following night. We had a great Japanese meal with friends at the Little Tokyo restaurant near the Castle Gardens moorings.

[haggis]

More good info thanks. Set off this morning at 5.30 and are now approaching Kilby. All locks but one had both bottom gates open

Swinging gates!

Beautiful morning.

Haggis

[haggis]

Saw the suggested mooring spots and have ear marked them for the next time

Moored at Castle gardens at 1pm after shuffling an unoccupied boat along to make room

Haggis

[NBDensie]

We have moored on the opposite side to Castle Gardens, a bit further upstream, in the past without any problems, just a longer walk to the city centre

Edited July 18, 2016 by NBDensie

[haggis]

There is actually a small cruiser moored across from the pontoons and although there is now room here (we have a boat breasted up to us but another boat has moved on, he seems happy there and has been chatting to passers by all afternoon

Found the good oriental restaurant

It is the terra cotta

Haggis

[Ally]

Ooh terracotta, lovely! You'll be passing us soon I guess. We are on our mooring at the end of old junction boatyard moorings, offside right on the bend. (Syston ) in tomorrow and Thursday, give us a peep as you pass! (N/b Hallyth )

[haggis]

Which lock are you after and we will look out for you

Haggis

[Ally]

You found us!

Now you need to stop at Barrow and use the Soar bridge Inn!

[haggis]

Making for Loughborough tonight. Travelling with another boat (since Leicester) which makes locking so much easier

Haggis

[Timx]

5 years ago on this stretch, we had a very quiet and pleasant evening moored just south of Gee's lock. Just north of the sharp turn at Glen Parva Lodge. We opened the side hatch and enjoyed the view of the cows grazing in the fields opposite.

 

It was a short trip in the morning into Leicester, to moor for the following night. We had a great Japanese meal with friends at the Little Tokyo restaurant near the Castle Gardens moorings.

Just a note for future don't stop by glen pava to go the pub if you want to go the pub and get near the bankside,im three foot out by the bridge advised in pearsons

[MHS]

Just a note for future don't stop by glen pava to go the pub if you want to go the pub and get near the bankside,im three foot out by the bridge advised in pearsons

Which pub and /or which bridge? My Nicholsons doesn't list a pub in Glen Parva,

I suggested a mooring between Glen Parva Lodge and Gee's Lock. This isn't by a bridge.

Edited November 2, 2016 by MHS

[matty40s]

There was a pub in Glen Parva called the County Arms - a Beefeater, it shut down 15 years ago and has become a retirement village in the last year- still marked in Nicholsons until recently as a pub. By bridge 98 - it is a short walk to the village of Blaby. There is another by bridge 94, not marked on Nicholsons - The Manor (a Marstons).

Moorings by both these are fairly shallow - however, west of bridge 98 is fairly good.