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.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Opps nearly lost a solar panel and a bit of an embarrassing moment.

The wind did blow, the branches came down and the solar panel nearly blew off the roof! This time the gales arrived as predicted but because of the 'storm that never was' a few days ago we didn't bother about lashing everything down. So it was while we were watching Strictly Halloween special that a spooky moment occurred when our fire companion set suddenly fell over! We felt no rocking of the boat and didn't even hear any bangs. There was an almighty gust at that particular time but not enough in our opinion to topple the fire set. Both Ian and I looked at each other burst into laughter and said we must have a ghost! Then for some reason Ian remembered that our solar panels were only held on by a  chain. Deciding to go out and have a look to see if all was well, he discovered one of the panels had all but fallen over the side. It was teetering precariously on the hand rail and we can only assume that the gust of wind plus the solar panel movement was enough to rock the boat without us feeling it and cause the companion set to fall! He did discover this morning that the frame was dented. Keeping fingers crossed that it still works okay.

Woke up early this morning to the sound of geese flying overhead. The sun rise was giving out a slight red glow and the geese were arriving back to the lake from there over night roost. Without thinking I grabbed the camera opened up the back doors and wearing no more then a short nighty proceeded to take several photos. Then as I was about to go inside I became aware of a fisherman staring opened mouth at this apparition no more then 6 feet away!!! Talk about making a hasty retreat. Most embarrassing!!!




 Instead of going back to bed I went for a walk and first thing to see was rabbit posing for me at exactly the same place as yesterdays rabbit and this Robin was singing his heart out greeting the dawn.



The early morning is great for seeing the wildlife, before the walkers and cyclist appear.


Great vantage point for these Comorants. Tree is on an island in the middle of the lake.

Wish Comerants could read signs!

Message for our Polish friends.

Sorry about the poor photo but just look at the size of that fish!


Could be a Dab Chick



Looks bad but an RSPB Inspector came to have a look this morning and confirmed she wasn't in and pain. She also has 5 cygnets with her. He said it was possibly a condition called Angel Wing

Phallic symbol perhaps?

Pochard

Cadwall ducks


Wigeon

Grebe and chick
While I was out Ian discovered our water pump was leaking. Thankfully he thinks it has only just started as we only had a small amount of water under our drawers!



This afternoon has been a mixture of sunshine, wind and squally showers. I pity Nev having to travel in this. Nb Percy came past early afternoon just before the showers hit us.





3 comments:

James said...

There were a couple of guys fishing on the wide yesterday. They had been there since about six in the morning, late afternoon they caught a biggie, 16lb 4oz. They struggled to cuddle it for the family album.

Nev Wells said...

We had a god cruise, low and heavy helps (the boat not me)

I walked past and looked in bit did not see anyone so I presumed you were our walking. Were you aboard when Rachel came past?

If so sorry, we moored up in Mercia just after 3 and was home after car shuffling at 5. Not sure when we will be doing the return leg....

Anonymous said...

That fish looks like its being eaten maybe by a comarant?

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