Day 10 - Market Bosworth to Hinckley

We left Market Bosworth in the rain giving thanks for the newly fitted stern cover.    Eventually the rain eased and we stopped to take on water at Sutton Cheney Wharf.  We hoped to moor near Bridge 17 at Hinckley but this was not to be the case but we found a mooring just a little further on at Bridge 16.

After dinner we walked along Nutts Lane to the Coventry Road to book a table for eight at the ‘The Marina’ ready for Tuesday lunchtime.  This was to be a special lunchtime get together with John’s cousins Bernard, Heather and Hazel.

Day 9 - A Day at Market Bosworth

After a leisurely morning dog walking and reading, we set off to walk into Market Bosworth for a pub lunch.  The Olde Red Lion is situated in the centre of Market Bosworth and is well worth a visit as the food is good and value for money.  We arrived first but were soon joined by Martin, Melissa, William, Georgia and finally Steven.

In the afternoon we walked to the station at Market Bosworth where there was a heavy horse show.  It was a magnificant display of Shire horses and regalia which impressed William and Georgia, we then boared the steam train to Shenton.  At the station we were able to see the wonderful display of glass blowing by artist Richard Golding, unfortunately Richard was not blowing glass on this day as he had technical problems with his furnace.  There was still enough time to walk to the Battle of Bosworth Country Park.  The children enjoyed the audio presentations en route and sitting in King Richard III and Henry Tudor’s seats around the magnificent sundial.  The day ended with a return train ride back to Market Bosworth.

Day 8 – Shackerstone to Market Bosworth

As we have breakfast we can here railway engines in steam with great clouds of smoke and steam emerging from behind the trees.  After breakfast we walk to Shackerstone station and find we have to purchase a platform ticket for a £1 to gain access to the station.  Platform tickets are a thing of the past and back in the ‘Good old days’ these cost 1d (that’s one old penny!).  The platform ticket gives us access to the Museum and the station tea room where the home made cakes can only be described as excellent value for money.  We meet several people who have had the misfortune of being on the platform when the last train departed and are covered in sooty ‘smuts’.  As the train arrives we beat a hasty retreat not wishing to indulge in a coating of soot!

We spent the afternoon cruising to Market Bosworth, stopping off Sutton Cheney Wharf to top up with water.  We arrived at the 48 hour moorings by Bridge 42 around 4:00pm.  With shopping for provisions a necessity we set off to Market Bosworth town centre which is about ¾ mile from the bridge. As we walk up station Road towards the town centre we pass the Market Bosworth Golf and Country Club.  A hoarding announces that the golf and country club was due to be completed in 2009.  Whilst there was plenty of evidence that the golf course was complete and maturing, the porta cabins bore little or no resemblance to the artist impression of the country club!  Market Bosworth has a plentiful supply shops and pubs around the market place.  We booked Sunday lunch at the Old Red Lion which seemed the best value.  Fish ‘n’ Chips was planned to be our evening meal but we could see no prospect of getting back to Digitalis and them still be hot.  Note to self: get the bikes on Digitalis then distant shops would not be a problem!