Urban Sprawl.

Traveling through Urban areas is one of the down sides to boating. Today we traveled for seven hours just to clear Leicester. I'm sure there are some very nice parts of this city,however the canal does not go through them.
As we were getting close to the city we suddenly found the canal blocked by a tree in the water. There were three men armed with chainsaws trying to clear it, so we pulled into the side to see what was happening. While watching we took the opportunity to have lunch. It took about half an hour to clear a small channel so we could continue our journey. In all we did sixteen locks today some were in bad repair and some were fitted with anti- vandal locks.Television reception has been bad for the last few days. Tonight we moored at Thurmaston lock at around five thirty and started to make our evening meal of savoury rice with feta cheese. This recipe is quick and easy.
Ingredients: One red pepper, one yellow pepper,4oz mushrooms,a block of feta cheese, one onion,one veg stock cube, 3 cloves of garlic, one cup of rice,tomato puree Two tea spoons paprika and chili to taste.
Method: Chop peppers onion, Mushrooms and garlic,fry in a little oil add rice. Then add 3/4 pint water chili and tomato puree and paprika. Bring to the boil and put in oven until everything is tender. Add feta cheese and more water if needed. This should take about forty minutes gas mark six. Serve with crusty bread.