Monday 12th November 2007
This is moving day, from Wistow to Debdale Wharf for pump-out, coal, gas and diesel. Prices have escalated, the reason given at another diesel pump was that the VAT content of ‘red’ on the cut had risen but my receipt states 5% VAT so this hike must be down to profit or costs passed down by suppliers.
A couple of boats were out on the canal, one we’d seen recently at Kilby Bridge sporting the latest winter blizzard apparel and suited to present temperatures which are well into single figures.
We moored at what we call Tony’s Turn, a stretch of piling, just north of Pat’s Bridge (No.64), on the Leicester Line and close to where the trip boat Vagabond turns at the northern end of its cruise (see captain Tony Matts, Foxton Boat Services).

Tuesday 13th
This was search day. Helicopter overhead, ground swarming with uniforms, we hardly saw a Foxton visitor, in fact it wasn’t easy spotting a boater. Someone called Angela was missing, car in the car park overnight, worried family. (See previous entry)

Wed 14th
Another search day with helicopter overhead, more search teams walking the tow paths, prodding the reeds and brambles with long poles, and supported by Foxton Boat Services, enlisted for the water borne troops. Temperatures dropped to freezing point, this wasn’t going to be a night for wandering about outside.
See the Leicester Mercury which reported the incident and detailed the search effort to find Mrs Angela Foulds.

Thurs 15th
It was cold enough to keep us indoors but we noticed the countryside was quieter today.
Mike and Jo (nb.Sarah-Kate) called in for coffee (yummy cakes, Jo) and a chat, sharing our discoveries in the world of stone mason’s marks on locks, bridges and canal structures. The Old Union Canal Society (OUCS) produces a very informative magazine and my letter had
prompted the editor’s reply with copies of fascinating articles written by members, accompanied by sketches of mason’s marks and their canal locations.

Unbeknown to us, Leicester Mercury reported a conclusion to the search for Mrs F.

Friday 16th November 2007
As the frost disappeared so we moved on from Tony’s Turn to the water point at Foxton Locks.
frostymorning

All very quiet, not a uniform in sight. Popped into Bridge 61 for lunch and a news update and there was the newspaper telling us that our ‘lost lady’ had turned up safe and well.
There was no mention in the papers of her reasons for disappearing but from what I heard on the ground there might be more to the story than was printed. No one is prepared to be quoted on rumours of inappropriate dealings so no more can be added.

Mary estimated that something in the region of 150 people were involved in the operation over the two days Tuesday and Wednesday, which included a mountain rescue team to check the lock chambers and the tunnels to the side ponds. Potholing skills must have come to the fore.

A costly exercise I shouldn’t be surprised and a waste of thousands of man-hours but at least we have a living person and not a dead body to contend with.