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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.

Thursday 25 May 2017

And we're off.

In temperatures above 25 deg, we said goodbye to Sandiacre and the Derby Arms resident Heron and headed down the Erewash. Our destination was Sawley.





On our journey down to Trent lock a Weeping Willow with its curtains of leaves obscured our vision. For years the same Willow has blocked boaters view and I am hoping that when ECP&DA's ex C&RT work boat Pentland goes into the water at Langley Mill, this problem will be addressed.



 Then is the distance we spied what looked like buoys by Long Eaton lock. A warning to boaters not to alight there as the bank had subsided. Wow, when did that happen? as there was no sign of that crack when we came back last year. (or maybe there was and we just didn't see it) Also very noticeable were the paddles left up on both sides of the lock.



Next stop was the facilities at Trent Lock. Took over 40 minutes to fill both water tanks. Hadn't realised quite how low we had got on the water stakes. and it's a wonder we didn't actually run out! Then lock down to the River Trent and head upstream to Sawley lock. For the first time in years, (in fact since Dave the lock keeper left) it was manned by volunteers. What a welcome sight and one that all boaters can now look forward to as these volunteers are here to stay.



And you know that baby boom I mentioned 10 days ago? Well below Sandiacre lock the boom has already started.






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