About Us

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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Friday 3 August 2012

Our own TT race

Wednesday.
After having had a lovely day watching the Olympics and slowly watching the moorings start to fill,
the peace and quiet was shattered that evening when, at around 7 pm, a motorbike appeared. Then for the next 1/2 hour we had bike after bike roar past, all heading for the Swan pub. All went quiet for a while until they all came roaring past us on the way back. Peace was restored just before we went to bed, thank goodness, and apart from the baaing from the sheep opposite we had a very restful night.




.
 So, another early start on Thursday. Got up at 6.15am away at 6.30. We sailed through Fradely, meeting another early starter at Hunts lock. We had hoped all the locks would be with us after that but at Common  lock the bottom gates were open and the paddles left up. Never did find out who had left the lock like that but, as a boat was moored on the landing with no sign of any movement,we thought they may have set it for themselves last night ready for this morning and then gone to bed. Good job the the top gates didnt leak.We would have had to walk the boat through on a dry canal bed.


Gates left open and paddles up!

Alrewas was full to capacity. Never had I seen it so full. There was even a boat moored on the water point. Luckily we had already water up at Fradely otherwise the owners of the boa would have had a rude awakening by us climbing across their stern.. Finally arrived at Branston water park after 3 hours cruising and moored near the water park entrence. There was just enough gap for the satalite to pick up the Olympics channels and even though it was very windy, the branches never interfered with the signal.

Flood Debris on the river at Alrewas

Jade enjoying a swim at Branston.


Friday.
 This morning we were again on our way by 6.30am. I was amazed by the amount of boats moored at the park. Had they all stopped for the Olympics? We stopped at Burton to go shopping at Morrisons, only to discover it didn't open until 8am. We could have had an extra hour in bed!!!

No moorings at the park.


A boaters view. No chance in seeing if another boat was coming

Branston Lock
And yet another obscured view!
 
Next stop, Willington. Had a great run in until about 1 1/2 miles from Willington, we met a boat chugging along on tick over. He knew we were behind him but refused to let us pass. All I wanted to do was get to watch the Heptathlon starting at 10am. Instead we arrived long after 11am and managed to grab the last mooring available right by the road bridge. ( the boat in front having grabbed the best one by the facilities.) No wonder he didn't want to let us past!

Tomorrow Christine comes to take us to Swadlincote. Its our Grandson Josh's birthday party so I don't expect to do another post until Sunday.


3 comments:

KevinTOO said...

Well that'll teach me to read your blog earlier in the day... my flabber is well and truely ghasted! LOL
There I was, out having a meal with my other half and a friend when I looked out of the window of the Dragon @ Willington to see Freespirit moored at the bottom of the garden!!
If only I had seen you when we arrived, I'd have come anintroduced myself. But due to the late hour I didn't want to disturb you both. Perhaps another time.
On my way out of the Dragon who should we trip over but our very own TT's of Willington, Heth & Dave from Takey Tazey.
There's obviously a rash of Bloggers and blog readers in south Derbyshire tonight :)

Ian and Irene Jameison said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Kevin, So sorry not to have met you. We were probably engrossed in the Olympics. As you said on your comment, one day we will get to meet! As for Heth & Dave, it was only after I read your comment out to Ian yesterday that he informed me he had seen Takey Tezey moored a few boats further along, and he forgot to tell me!! Heth is another blogger I cant wait to meet. All the best Irene. on

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