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.

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Warning... do not read if you have a sensitive disposition.

Sunday 10th

Last nights sunset. Bode well for the coming day and it didn't disappoint.





 And not only that but gosh we were lucky today. At every lock a boat was leaving so all we had to do was sail right in. Not to many to do so I volunteered to do them all. At Dimmingsdale lock I noticed a smell. Didn't take much notice at first 'cos I grabbed the camera to take a photo of the stump art along the hedge.




I must warn you that the next two pictures are most unpleasant so please don't look if you get upset easily.


 Ian had already entered the lock and I had closed the bottom gate. That smell got stronger as I walked over to the top ground paddle. Didn't notice anything amiss so opened the paddle, walked across the gate to open the other, then walked back to open the gate paddle and my gaze was drawn to a pile of reeds by the paddle gear. OMG....what was that!!! First thought... a dead lamb. Then a guy walking two dogs walked up to me. "That" said he "Is the remains of a whippet" "One of two thrown from the bridge a while ago". Unscrupulous dog breeders were thought to be the culprit but couldn't be proved. And were they alive or dead when they were thrown in? I asked. "That we cant be sure of but it has been reported" says he. The other carcase is still in the canal somewhere by the next bridge but thankfully I didn't find it. How can people be so unscrupulous!!!







We were a bit quiet for the rest of our journey and decided to stop at Compton. I went for a walk to take my mind off what I had seen leaving Ian to continue putting our DVD's onto his computer. Tomorrow we get to Aldersley Junction but not up the Wolverhampton 21 but straight on towards Autherley to join the Shropshire Union canal.

Compton


Took these on my walk.








2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How awful - we've fished the odd dead dog from various canals - usually staffies - I can''t imagine the panic and suffering they'd have endured - I don't understand animal cruelty and certianly can't forgive it :-(

I hope that the rest of your cruise is more pleasant....

Sue nb Indigo Dream

Anonymous said...

I hope you went to the Fish and Chip shop Irene, it's one of the beston the canals and very reasonable! Paula

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