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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.

Sunday 7 July 2013

Our final destination on the Ashby

The first BBQ of the year. Finished off with a bottle of sparkling wine. Lovely.
What a hot and sticky night! I shouldn't really complain 'cause we have been wanting some decent weather for quite a while. But if only the humidity would drop! Both dogs are suffering horribly and sometimes I wonder if I should let them have a cool off in the canal. I have always discouraged this in case I cant get them out again, what with the steep sides and all! Leaving Stoke Golding by 9ish we made our way to Trinity Wharf. On route I had a chuckle to myself when I spied this.


Had visions of a Police boat waiting through the bridge 'ole with a speed gun!

This was pointing along the canal. Is it some sort of gun to shoot anyone that is speeding?
  The aim was to moor and then go Aldi shopping. Unfortunately all the 'so called' visitor mooring on the offside have been taken for those that moor at Trinity Marina and a small bit of piled edging was only available on the towpath side. One boat was already moored and try as we might, we could get no more then 3ft from the bank. Still we had to go shopping so with the bow pulled tight and the stern swinging out, we tied the best we could and hoped enough space was left between us and the moored boats opposite for two boats to pass. Getting to Aldis was a nightmare. So very hot and at least a mile to walk. Not to bad going but with all the shopping to carry back it was a horrendous journey. As we got back onto the towpath who should we see in the distance coming towards us but Calipso the coal and fuel working boat. We needed deisel and as he drew level Ian asked where next he would be. He mentioned serving some customers at Hospital corner so once the shopping was stowed on board, we pulled pin and chased after him.


With the price of 88p a ltr we took on board roughly 65 ltrs and then set off once more to see if we could moor at The Lime Kilns. Normally it is impossible but we spied a space opposite the pub and managed to squeeze in. Here we will stay until Echo is collected by Christine and Kev tomorrow before leaving this wonderful canal on Tuesday.

Lime Kiln Moorings

Black ducks. The look like an Aylesbury type


I can see honest! Great for keeping the flies away from the eyes.

They look to pale to be starlings.

And finally:-


The mating.



Strangle hold maybe.

Burr Reed



4 comments:

Connie said...

Well, I'm finding out that all is not pure pleasure living aboard a long-boat, but I still think it would be a marvelous adventure. Your mooring site at Lime Kiln looked very nice.
Have a wonderful week and I do hope that the humidity calms down a bit for you folks.
Stay happy, Connie :)

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hello Connie,
I know there are times when I wish we still had the car nearby but I love this life and wouldn't swap it for all the money in the world. The heat does get us down sometimes, the steel hull of the boat holds the heat and no amount of open windows and doors cool us down. Still its better then being cold. Hope all is well in your world across the vast pond. If we ever travel over to the States we will be sure to look you up. Oh and by the way, Gypsy Rose looks beautiful. Congratulations on the launch of her.

Xxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

The Ashby is one of my very favorite places--especially Stoke Golding. Your BBQ looks divine and you both look great too. What kind of camera are you using for those spectacular pictures? Thanks as always for a lovely post.
Jaq

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hello Jaq,

We will miss the lovely slow pace on the Ashby. Tomorrow we will be back on the Coventry and no doubt meet a lot more boats. My camera is a Panasonic Lumix FZ48 and the lens I use for my close up photography is a HD Besel Medical macro584 4x. Some of your photos are spectacular. Love the one with the signets and golden sunset. Hope our paths will meet one day especially as we are heading south to do the Wet and Arun.

Best wishes to you both

Irene
Xxx

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