18th August 2019 – Leicester Marina and the Space Centre
After a couple of really interesting days in the heart of Leicester we decided to move on and sail up to the Leicester marina to moor for a day or two, as it is really close to the city and we can use it as a base to get a cab back into town and do some food shopping and sightseeing. We hope to catch up with Steve and Caroline later on as they are mooring at Birstead which is just around the corner to the marina. Then we all plan to go to Mountsorrel or Loughborough. We are also going to have to think about where to put the boat when we return to Swindon for a week or so, we still have a few weeks yet, but we need to get that planned!
The sailing out of Leicester up to the marina went through the most urban section of Leicester, but I was surprised how quickly it turned leafy and green – even within a mile or 2 of the center of Leicester! The locks were in poor repair and many had panels which did not work so filling the lock and emptying it again was slow and laborious.
Very urban 
Love the Graffiti 
Not long before it gets very nice indeed! 
Leafy and Industrial 
Less than 3 miles from the centre its still very pleasant! 
The last lock at Birstal 
After a while we were on the river Soar heading towards the marina. The sailing here was very picturesque and the state of the locks steadily improved. Finally, we hit Birstall after a couple of hours and then we were on the home stretch into the marina.
Artful Dodger 