Leicester

The weather has been wonderful again today and apparently the forecast is good for the weekend.  Most of the boats have arrived for the festival and Bede Park is being transformed as the fair has arrived, the performance stage has been erected and some food & drink stands are arriving. Last evening and again this evening there are groups of young people chilling out on the grass, lighting BBQ's and generally having a good time.

As more and more boats started arriving for the festival it was time to decorate the boat. This is the first time it’s had bunting on it and we weren’t too sure of the best way to go about it but think it came out quite well.

After lunch we moved into our official position for the weekend, breasted up with Frenchlands 2 which is the floating book shop.

We’ve decided that we both really like Leicester. The market is huge and much better than the one in Loughborough last week. There is a large covered fruit and veg. market and an indoor, fully refrigerated meat and fish market.  Again, the fruit and veg. was incredibly cheap and so varied I didn’t recognise half of the items.

each bowlful cost £1

While we were wandering around we saw the Magazine Gateway which dates back to the 1400’s and is currently under restoration. It has an amazing vaulted ceiling.

The other tourist spot we passed was the Jewry Wall which dates back to Roman Times. The museum was closed when we went past but the roman remains are thought to be of an old bath house. You can read more about it here

The river continues to be busy, especially with rowing crews. Roger is particularly pleased that over half of the boats are manned by very attractive young ladies!