Tues 20th March 2007
We’re parked at Kilby Bridge and it’s time to say goodbye to Kass and her cat Maisy. We spent the rest of the day walking around in a daze until we realise the cat pheromone dispenser is still plugged in to the wall socket. We’re turning into cats. Unplugging it, we feel less inclined to lap from the saucer and lick ourselves clean.

A late batch of lambs bleat their way through the night, poor little blighters having to walk about the fields in freezing temperatures looking for their mummies. But it’s hardly surprising they lose the old girl as they form gangs and run from one side of the field to the other and get into mischief down at the water’s edge.

Good news arrived today. This is the week we’ve been looking forward to for over a year, our boat builders will visit us on Thursday to complete a couple of jobs in the boat. We’re in a great place for road access and have permission to moor at the wharf so there’ll be no fetching and carrying. It couldn’t be better, we’re well pleased.
And we’ve got visitors tonight as Ter and Claire are joining us for dinner.

Wed 21st
The geezer on the next boat was walking to the waste skip (dumpster?) as I climbed off the boat and told me to watch out for a BW lady who visits these parts. Told him we weren’t breaking any rules but he went on to say she gave him earache because he preferred to use the 48 hour visitor’s moorings rather than move up to the place reserved for people like him who have paid for the privilege during the winter months. What a nerve.

Thursday 22nd Mar
It snowed in the night, just enough to leave a trace in the fields alongside the canal, but as the sun came up and we emerged onto the rear deck it became apparent we’d been burgled, not by people of the night, but creatures of the night.
A hole had been chewed in our stern deck splash panel and the bird feeder raided. There was seed all over the place and a neat pile of canvas pieces next to a hole the size of a small rat. A mouse could have squeezed under the canvas but a rat would have had to cut a hole.

Oh well, at least it didn’t get inside the boat, we hope. Perhaps a search later on will be in order.

Morning came and went before our specialists arrived and set to work.

All went well with a loo pipe change but we can’t have the cupboard or shelves without paying again.
We felt quite sad when they left and the words of a wise man came back to me saying “Don’t trust things to memory, always get it agreed in WRITING”.

My advice to anyone going through a boat build is – no matter how daft you feel reminding the builder of things you’ve mentioned many times before, once the boat leaves the shed it has to be down in writing or you could lose it.
I felt disappointed and a tad let down. We moved the boat, locked up and went for a walk. It helped.

Fri 23rd
Another walk, this time to Tesco at Wigston. 40 minutes each way. Rewarded by lunch - jacket potato with tuna. It appeared on the smallest dinner plate ever seen.

Just look at the size of the cutlery in comparison with the plate.
The lady on the next table must have thought I didn’t get out much because she stared at me as I took a picture of the tiddly plate.

Saturday and Sunday
A break from boating, we’re conveyed to Bristol while Tezzer minds the boat. We get a couple of days off while he gets to do some paperwork.

Not missing our chance to get on the internet at broadband speeds we discover a new medical term. What might be supposed as arthritis in the knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, ankle or heel might actually be something called Bursitis.
Bursitis or inflammation of the bursa doesn’t fill one with dread like arthritis and it is claimed there are ways to reduce or even eliminate it. Of course rest seems the best cure but for those like me who get the problem while sleeping on my side there’s no escape.
The bursa cushions tendons where they pass over bone and can become inflamed when compressed, for example when sleeping on the side on a hard mattress or pushing with the hips on lock gate balance beams.

It’s all very interesting but nothing much will change. If this is what we’re like now what are we going to be like in ten years time?

Monday 26th March 2007
Upsticks and go. Like all good water gypsies we know when its time to move on. Must have got a bit rusty because the first few lock approaches weren’t up to standard and a side breeze wasn’t taken into consideration. But it’s so good to be cruising again.

No one about, just us on the move. Nothing much to rave about either, the trees and bushes are still bare, no leaves in sight and temperatures to match Siberia.

Took an unusual interest in a daisy stuck to a lock wall, tried encouraging it to open by breathing on it and dazzling it with the camera flash but with no success.

Pulled a rabbit out of the canal, drained the water out but couldn’t get it to start.

And then the highlight of the day – two boats in the lock ahead. Wanted to ask questions, talk about the weather, pass the time of day, but they didn’t stop and it’s hopeless trying to conduct a conversation above the sound of two diesel engines.

Maybe it’s just one of those days for sitting alone and contemplating.

I got the message, we shouldn’t try to hurry things in the country.

I said let’s go through the tunnel, she said no, we’ll park up and do that tomorrow. And so we dropped anchor and marvelled at the warmth of the sun.

The breeze had dropped, the clouds were gone, the day had turned out fine after all,
There was nothing for it but to take to the stern on a chair with a fishing rod. One swipe with the spade and I had a juicy worm for the hook so without more of a do boating had turned to fishing.

But it wasn’t to last. As I cast the second time I noticed power lines overhead and a notice on the towpath telling me not to be so silly, and to stop whatever I was doing and get back indoors.

Perhaps tomorrow will be better.

There’s a rumour that Sarah-Kate is in these parts so we’ll go boat spotting as soon as we’re up. But first there’s the tunnel; 800 yards and as crooked as a windlass......

We have taken up residence (no more than 14 days, of course) on the tow path near Kilby Bridge and there’s not a lot to excite the camera. Every few days we move 200yds to the water point on the other side of the canal then reverse back to our usual spot.

There’s very little going on around us, just the occasional boat stopping for the pub or passing through from Leicester. After the excitement of last weekend’s protest cruise in the city this is total relaxation.
It was interesting reading the reports of boat gatherings around the country, some well attended, some not, but none as poor in boat numbers as Leicester.
If, as is claimed, Leicester’s local government really wanted to attract boaters then there is plenty of scope for improvement. A water supply running alongside the existing drains through the adjoining Castle Gardens down to the boat pontoon would be very useful, and a security presence along the Leicester corridor at weekends and school holidays would be extremely helpful.
After being shot at next to the Football Stadium I have often wondered whether it was possible to interest anyone in escorting boats across Leicester between Kings Lock and Birstall Lock. We’ve spoken to many others who have similar bad experiences so we know ours wasn’t an isolated incident. Talk is easy and calls by Leicester’s ‘officials’ for boaters to give it a try isn’t going to boost anyone’s confidence.

Wednesday 14th March 2007
Wasn’t it warm today? We sat outside for lunch and got entertained by the geese patrol as they switched fields in front of us. It’s great fun breaking up their orderly lines by throwing sandwich and cake crumbs.

Sometime earlier a hire boat had jammed its bows into one of the nearby lock's top gates and was in danger of doing itself a mischief. A passing woman (V) had to explain that by emptying the lock a little the boat would float free.
There were lots of smiles as they passed us heading for Harbro’ but all wasn’t well in the lock behind them. Fortunately the BW team from Kilby Bridge were on to it and soon had the lock gate back on its hinge cup and the water levels restored to normal. They’re a good bunch of guys, always a smile and a greeting, turning their hand to anything from clearing downed trees and repairing locks to building lift bridges. The South Leicester Grand Union Canal is a credit to them.

There was just time to sling a hook before dinner so I sat on the stern deck dangling a worm over the side. Nothing, not even a bite ‘though tiddlers were going crazy, leaping out of the water.

15th Mar
The highlight of our day was a call from Sue somewhere on the K&A on No Problem. Bit on the poorly side and not sounding too good on the ‘phone she’s looking for a doctor. Not far from Bath, she’ll get help from a GP or NHS centre. Get well soon Sue.

Weather being acceptable I washed the boat on one side and slapped on some wax. Yes, I suppose we’re still part of the shiny boat brigade. May as well try to preserve her goods looks as long as we can.

There’s a down side to being static on the tow path, it means there’s time to get on with those inside jobs. Making a new spade handle (broke it digging holes in the Aylestone hedgerows), fitting an extra power point and experimenting with loudspeakers occupy any free time. The laundry room could do with a make-over but we’re expecting new cupboards so there’s no point making permanent changes in there. Sandhills, our boat builders, have been waiting for a quiet moment to fit the remaining shelves and cupboards and it looks like we’re going to get a visit any day now.

16th Mar
Listened to Andy Kershaw on Desert Island Discs and admired his choice of the Bhundu Boys for the first play. What amazing music discoveries he made in Africa back in the 1980s and 90s and now fill “my CD” shelf in the boat.

Back to reality, engine started and we crossed the pond to top up the water tank.

While V baked cakes I reflected on the boat jobs I’d finished and decided it was time to relax by wandering around the web-logs. Couldn’t resist reading about the six month Tour de France by camping car with its excellent photographs and English v French humour.

17th Mar
Kass arrived with Maisy for a few days on Balmaha. She’s a little less anxious about the boat this time (cat not daughter) and spent more time with us than under the bed. It was fun seeing her reaction to the waves on the canal after living in a town house.

Spotted a sister ship “Belle” in April’s Canal Boat magazine. She’s another Sandhills bespoke fit-out with Chris and Stelle’s distinctive mark on her. We still haven’t seen her but this may be righted if our thoughts of doing the Leicester Ring come to something.

The full write up from specification through build, launch and living aboard can be found at Chris's website and BLOG.

England played Wales in the final of the Six Nations. Less said about that the better. I can imagine the shouts of delight aboard Bendigedig as Elsie and Eric saw their team thrash ours.

18th March 2007, Mother’s Day
The weather is definitely on the change. Gales blowing from the northwest and the odd speck of snow warn us of what might be in store this weekend. Blue sky changes rapidly to grey only to return to blue a few minutes later. Consequently temperatures outside yo-yo with the sun coming and going and it’s difficult to know what to do with the fire. The last vote was to keep it going which means adding coal, a piece at a time (sorry Mike B, I’m back to naming them again).

The wind makes for interesting locking but there’s always someone prepared to brave it and at five to seven this Sunday morning an early riser rocked our boat heading for Leicester’s locks.
What with the local Canadian geese making their presence known there was nothing for it but to peel off the mattress and take an early breakfast.

The girls took a walk but it’s eye watering out there so I stayed inside to amuse Maisy.
Watched the sky get darker and darker and walkers run for their lives as the clouds fell on them. Rain then sleet then hail then back to April showers. Threw some bread for the moorhens but as soon as it left the window the wind took it in the direction of Foxton. Tried cake but that sank like a stone into the murky canal waters. The bird feeder is empty and the gas cylinder needs changing, oh well, guess I’ve got to go outside after all.

Tuesday 6th March 2007
The River Soar is almost back to Friday’s level and the flow has reduced from scary to faintly worrying.
V walked to Freeman’s Lock to check the level indicator board and bumped into Adrian, Leicester’s motorbiking ranger. It’s bad news, we can’t move, a tree has fallen across the entrance to St Mary’s Mill Lock, upstream of the Foxes’ stadium. Adrian passed the news back to BW and their action team will do a recce.

We’ve now got a day to ourselves so there was time to fit a water tank gauge (supplied by MSC) and turn the boat ready for departure.

It’s a clear night and the rowers are out in force. A crashing sound got me on deck in time to see one collide with the bridge downstream from us. His little white lights front and back impart a spooky glow as they pass our porthole.

He hit the bridge again on his return, so it’s not that easy rowing at night.

Wed 7th March
Onboard water is running low, so no showers for us today. Dipping the tank and adjusting the new gauge keeps the hands busy and ensures our water lasts until we reach the next tap at Kilby Bridge. Wish there was a water point here in town.

On the ‘phone to Ranger Adrian we’re told that work has begun on clearing the tree so we can slowly break into a trot.
A call from BW’s “Andy” gives us the green light so we’re definitely off, heading south up river.

Squeezing between the tree branches at St.Mary’s Mill we’re soon on our way and making good time for tea at Blaby Bridge. Thank you Adrian and thank you Andy and your British Waterways team for a fast turn out and a fine job.

It was an interesting cruise through Aylestone Meadows with its flood waters still in evidence.
A break in the undergrowth revealled a patch of fluorescent light tubes sticking out of the ground.

I’ve seen this sort of thing near the M4, north of Bristol, where a row of neon tubes stuck on end beneath power lines emit an eerie glow in the dark. There are no power lines here so there must be another reason for planting these.

A little further on we spotted an unusual observation point or perhaps somewhere to do a little lunchtime fishing?

We pulled over and called it a day at the County Arms (Blaby Bridge) and settled down for the night. We’ll soon be calling this place something else because the County Arms is due for demolition in favour of a block of flats and ‘affordable housing’.
Space behind the flats is planned as a ‘quiet area’ with gardens accessing the canal’s towpath. What this will do to our mooring spot we can only imagine.

Thurs 8th
Up early for a walk into Blaby for the shops and on with the journey to Kilby Bridge saw us cruising an empty canal. Another short shop stop at Crow Mills Bridge for provisions and to pay respects to the guys at Geoff’s little 4x4 garage before we hit countryside and the last couple of miles to the BW depot at Kilby Bridge.

One space left. Why are so many boats overstaying these 48 hour moorings?
Rather than jam ourselves into the last place we preferred the rough grass and piling further on.
It’s peaceful, no engines running late at night and the view from our windows is far superior.
A robin is building his nest already. Collecting mud from the towpath it flies off with a beak-full into the bushes.

A batch of new lambs in the fields next to the boat skip, jump vertically and stomp all over mum while she lies on the grass.

On the subject of animals it’s dog-poo alley down by the mooring bollards. Two boat owners push their dogs out during the day to fend for themselves and they’re bound to do what dogs need to do. That’s another reason for staying this end of town.

There’s time to relax so checked the bilges and found blue water down there again. Escaping from the engine somewhere but not the filler cap or the two hoses that are in reach. It’s a bit of a mystery.

Fri 9th
First job today is to replenish the water tank. It took two hours to fill from empty and we were just one inch from running dry. This is a good opportunity to calibrate the MSC water tank gauge we fitted on Tuesday.

And there’s time to slap on a bit of green below the gunwales.

Hey up, daughter driving car, pulling into BW’s yard. Kass has arrived for the weekend.
Booked a table at The Navigation and sat down to an American Supper. A mixed plate of hot and cold tasties to start with followed by shrimps on steak (shrimps were off, battered prawns were on). Ended with icecream and beat it back to the boat for coffee. Happy anniversary to us.

Saturday 10th
The sun is out and the girls are off to the shops.
First job is to pick up a fresh brown present next to our boat. Thank you whoever that was.

Next, I drill the steel tank below our bed to take an ‘Essex’ connector ready for a waste tank gauge. Wondering whether to buy one from MSC or ask around first to see what experience others have had.

Anyone care to share their experiences of MSC waste tank gauges?

The ¾” BSP Essex flange cost £14.50 but the hole cutter was another £14.20 so if anyone plans to do the same thing and wants to borrow the cutter then feel free to stop-me-and-borrow-one.

It’s rugby and the ‘Six Nations’ again, so no work happens out of tele sight (Scotland vs Ireland and Italy vs Wales)

Last match over and we’re off to Tezzers for the evening.
Lovely meal, quality food and plenty of it. Thanks you guys, luvvly-jubbly.

Eating out is good for me, it encourages good table manners. This time I only dropped two peas on the carpet – oops.

Sunday 11th March 2007
A lovely start to the day. Sun shining, a pair of woodpeckers hammering a tree next to us, a good day for England to beat France in the ‘Six Nations’ and a perfect day for a visit.

Mike and Tina popped in to chat about their plans for a new narrow boat. It’s early days for them with ideas whizzing around, more boats and builders to see and a budget to fix.

I’ve known Tina for a few years but apparently Mike and I met at a Torquay party some time ago without realising it.

England played France and this time it’s a brilliant result - 26:18
Let’s hope the Wales-England match next week makes us just as proud.

Before you know it the sun’s gone down and my intentions of putting a fishing rod over the side have come to nought. Two lads on the cut only caught a small roach and I reckoned I could beat that. Saw some big-uns breaking the surface on the way down here and a nice juicy worm ought to work wonders.

I’m sure there’ll be another day.

Saturday 3rd March 2007 (part 2)

Just as we suspected might happen, we’re on our own. No one can get upstream or down, the water has them beaten. There won’t be other boats.
Even a passing canoe wouldn’t stop.

Spent the day placing a cardboard protest notice on the roof and moving it inside every time it rained. The locals thought it was a For Sale sign and offered anything from 50p to 5 Grand. Very funny.

Saturday night was noisy, apart from the 2.30am clubbers. This was more of a gurgling and thumping as the water rattled beneath us. Logs as big as tree trunks collided with the boat on their way downstream.

Sunday 4th March - Protest Day
Slowly at first and then all of a rush, thirty odd raincoats descended on us. Banners went up, brollies waved about, plucking out eyes and the Press mingled, extracting little stories from supporters.

BBC’s camera took shots from all angles, even setting up on our stern deck for a close up of the chimney.
The Leicester Mercury and Towpath Talk were represented along with MPs Sir Peter Soulsby and David Taylor who made reassuring noises.

Later, at the clock tower we gathered again and signed papers. The Police behaved perfectly, no baton charges, well it was too wet. As the rain precipitated the puddles rose and someone spoke and we all went home. The Dunkirk boat on display presumably went back to duties on the Channel.
But it didn’t all end there, excitement in other forms beset us over the weekend. Because we found all exits to Castle Gardens (our moorings) chained and padlocked on Friday, we had called Leicester Leisure Services and requested a way out in case we wanted to visit the town after dark (If you can’t beat the yobs why not join them at 2.30am?).

Assured that one gate would be unlocked we felt confident about inviting John and Jean onto the boat on Sunday.
John, just back in the country from Spain, positively enthused about their new B&B / Homestay in Los Altos, near Alicante and Murcia airports.

But then someone in Leicester's ‘Security’ got their wires crossed. The gate that was supposed to be open at night was chained shut all day and all night. All the other gates being open in the day and locked shut at night. Nothing for it but climb over the wall and an iron gate, just like the winos do. Lovely to have you aboard J&J, sorry it was such an undignified exit.
Sitting down to tea, there we were on the tele. East Midlands BBC flashed our ugly mugs across the screen and, more importantly, a clear statement of the arguments against DEFRA’s finance cuts to the waterways.

There’s something walking up and down the roof in the middle of the night. A scratchy sound. Found the culprit, we’ve been adopted by a moorhen. Unable or unwilling to cross the river it stalks the pontoon next to us.

Nothing seems to stop the swan’s on the water, they shoot downstream one minute then crawl slowly back to their haunt under the bridges where they wait for food.
You’ll be surprised how many people on the pathways opposite us stop, open bags, backpacks and sandwich boxes to feed the swans. Each one thinking the swans wouldn’t survive without their little gift.

I imagine wives back home making sandwiches for their hubbies, not knowing they end up in the river each day.

What’s for lunch today dear?
Usual, cheese salad.
Oh lovely, my favourite, thanks.

More mayonnaise please, say the young swans, we need the colour for our new feathers.

The locked gates story reaches a happy ending today. BW promise to replace their missing padlock and chain so that boaters can visit town again after dark.

It’s rain all week, says the national forecast. Just what we don’t need.
Brightening up says the local forecast. Thanks, we’ll take that.
But the water is rising again.
More debris and faster flow.
We’re preparing for “a swollen river fed by heavy rains”.

Sun 26th Feb 2007
Departed Union Wharf, Market Harborough for Leicester. We’re on our way to join in with others at the protest meetings in town.
Spotted “Sara” at the OUCS moorings having just read a fascinating story of her previous owner’s build and cruising experiences. Based on a 1900’s ice breaker hull, John Mattey started work on her in 1961 at Chiswick and finished her in Leicestershire sixteen years later. The rest is in a book “A grand tour of England’s waterways”, published in 1994 under the name Jean Calder.

One passes Great Bowden Hall on the way to Foxton. It looks like there could be an interesting story to this converted building. Made a mental note to do some research.

Couldn’t stop for a pile of logs, we still had plenty onboard. Thoughts went to Sue and Vic on No Problem and their love for wood.

Calling in at Debdale Wharf for coal (25kgs = £7.60) we spotted nb.Eva going through her new buyer’s survey. Roger and Judith prepare to take her over from her first owner. She’s an excellent example of self build, we were given the guided tour on our first visit to Raynsway last year.
We wish them many happy years of cruising.

Half minded to stop at Wistow but with the sun shining and the wind tolerable we decided to carry on. Cheery greetings received from nb.Ebony, making the most of these excellent moorings overlooking the fields to Wistow.

Newton Top Lock’s cottage looked good in a fresh coat of paint.

17 locks later we pulled into Kilby Bridge 48 hr moorings. Same boats here as last time. Must be an arrangement similar to Market Harborough. It’s been a cold day but at least the rain didn’t fall. Chopped logs for a wet day tomorrow.

Tues 27th Feb
The wet day arrived so stayed put in the warm and dry.
As the rain went off so we had a visitor, Steve called in from a working trip up Newcastle way and stayed the night. Got treated to bottles of red and a curry special at the Navigation. Thanks mate, very much appreciated.

Wed 28th Feb
Steve disappeared south under a cloudy sky. It threatened rain all day but with a breeze it remained dry enough to wash the roof and one side of the boat. Surprised to see the colour is still there under all the dirt.

Thurs 1st March
Special day today, big bro’s birthday somewhere in Canada.
Departed Kilby Bridge, stopping at Crow Mills Bridge where I called in to see Geoff and Keith at the old Premier drum works. Keith was born in the next road and remembers his mother working at the factory fitting drum skins by hand while he fished for tiddlers in the River Sence outside the flour mill across the road.

Met the BW gang in “Pochard” coming through Bush Lock, heading for Kilby Bridge loaded with veg’ trimmings. Very friendly gang of guys on this stretch of canal, a credit to the waterways.

Passing John and Pat at Glen Parva, waving from the back room, we motored on to Kings Lock arriving after a weed hatch dive and a sudden shower of hailstones. It promises to be a cold night with a frost.

Fri 2nd March
Departing Kings lock for Leicester centre the water levels are in the ‘green’ which means safe cruising on the wiggly bits behind Aylestone’s business units and gas works. Just as well we have good control of direction because rampant tree growth means we swerve from side to side to miss branches from both river banks.

Reached the town moorings before midday and walked to town for the odd bit of shopping, Maplins for me, M&S for her.

Back at Castle Gardens we are horrified to see all the gates will be locked at night fall. A hasty call to Leicester Leisure Services achieved a result with the promise that one gate will be left unlocked so we can visit a restaurant if we need to. Penny C said BW had failed to replace a chain and padlock after it went missing so the Council’s security contractors were using their locks which our BW keys won’t fit.
Ter and Claire are with us for dinner tonight so not having to climb the garden walls like the winos is a relief.
Couldn’t resist taking pictures of the gargoyles that Granny Buttons had taken some time ago at night.

Saturday 3rd March 2007
It rained all last night and today the water is flowing fast. Water levels have risen a couple of inches, so adding that to the water going over the weir further upstream means those poor blighters coming from Thurmaston would be motoring hard to make any progress. Maybe the river down there is into the ‘red’ already. We wonder if we’ll be the only ones here over the weekend, protesting all alone.
A coot standing on a log went past at breakfast time doing well over 4 mph. It was looking around as if to ask what’s going on. Just before the bridge it abandoned ship and with little legs paddling furiously, struggled to make the river bank.

This is the weekend for a second round of protests over the DEFRA cuts to the waterways, same as last November down at Foxton. The program says boaters and towpath users will assembly in town at the clock tower where MP type speakers will pledge their support in government circles.
We dutifully placed protest posters in our windows and waited for others to arrive in their boats.

Elevenses came and went and still no one else but us.

Twelve-ses came and went along with more cups of tea and still no one.
Ropes creaking sent me top-side to find dead trees, plastic bags and pennywort had built up behind the boat and was threatening to sweep us down stream. Struggled with the boat pole and shifted the beaver’s family home back into the river flow.

Half an hour later we notice the water level has risen again. Huge pile of flotsam came past accompanied by a TV set (switched off).

Well, the sun’s out and people are walking up and down the opposite bank. The water has risen another inch and turned a filthy brown. Expecting to see furniture and the odd car but we’re still only getting masses of tree branches, with coots standing in the middle waving at pedestrians as it all heads off towards Nottingham.

Next bulletin tomorrow, if no one turns up, otherwise Monday. I wonder if this means we get the best and worst decorated boat prizes.

PROTEST DAY is SUNDAY, MARCH 4th
12 Noon: Boats will form symbolic blockade of the Waterway, opposite Castle Gardens
1.30 pm. All protesters will move into town and form up outside the CLOCK TOWER.
2 pm. Addresses to protesters from MPs and, we hope, the Leader of the Council (a boater!!!)
2.30 pm. Protesters to march from Clock Tower to Castle Gardens led by MPs and IWA Leicestershire members.
3.00 pm. Event Organiser to make short speech of thanks to all participants.
3.10 pm. MPs and IWA Committee members to circulate among the marchers etc to stress the importance of ALL waterway users and supporters making their views about the DEFRA cuts known and encourage them to sign petition forms making their allegiance clear.
4.00 pm Protest ends