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.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

So hot we had to stop.

The heat kicked of a thunderstorm early evening yesterday, about 20 miles away according to the seconds in between flashes, so although we got some rain it still didn't clear the air. A very uncomfortable night was consequently spent and in a way I was glad to get up at 6am.




 We pulled pins by 7am thinking that it might be a bit cooler traveling at that time of the morning but we hadn't banked on the humidity.


Clock shows 7.08am

Newbury lock. River flows in from the left so again a bit of throttle was needed

By Newbury lock.


The ground paddle (no longer in use)

Again others had the same idea, leaving early, and Heather had a bit of  problem at West Mill swing bridge after Newbury lock. Dave was already starting to open the bridge when another boat appeared also wanting to go through. The sun being so low the lady in the other boat hadn't seen Heather hovering in the middle  and a few moments of indecision as to who should go through ensued. In the end all was sorted with Heather going first.

Sun too low for her to see.
More early risers. I think I recognice the boat GO FOR IT. Didn't they used to blog??
 Then being lucky with the locks, we made it to Kintbury by 10.30am. Now the plan for today was to find a decent stretch of towpath so we could have a BBQ tonight and this place seemed perfect. Tad early to stop really, but with the rising temperatures we decided to do a longer day tomorrow to get to Great Bedwyn (8 mile and 13 locks) 'cause we are under a bit of pressure to arrive at Pewsey by Friday. Our niece Lizzie is coming for another visit. This time to show off her fiance Richard. Me worrying over somewhere to stop, Ian phoned the boat club and Pewsey Wharf for a possible mooring. Chap although helpful was a bit non-committal saying he may have space for one boat and for us to phone on Friday when we arrive. So I'm still worrying!!

Finally a decent towpath mooring.
And seen on route

Scarlet Tiger Moth


Flight practice






This is a Stoat honest. Just a very bad photo.

Our boat spider. Good for catching those pesky flies so quite happy for it to stay.

2 comments:

Halfie said...

It's not the seconds between flashes you need, it's the seconds between a flash and its associated thunder. It is unlikely that the storm was as much as 20 miles away - that would imply you counted 100 seconds from the lightning to the thunder! If, however, you counted up to four from the flash to the bang then that would make the storm 4/5 of a mile away. (Speed of sound in air is approximately 330 metres per second, or approximately 1/5 mph.)

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Yes that's what I meant. Didn't explain it very well, did I (: Xx

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