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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.

Saturday 22 July 2017

Oh dear Ian, maybe you should have gone to Specsavers!


Go back 4 years to when we were on the Wey. Then we broke down near to Town lock. (I mentioned this on my post of 12th July). A few days ago we found the engine had not given us any hot water. On checking Ian found the header tank had very little water in it. Topping up the header tank seemed to resolve the problem. But today Ian had to top it up again. He now thinks the head gasket is at fault, almost exactly the same problem we had back in 2013. Water is being pumped out and he has yet to find from where. This has caused air to build up in the skin tank which can only be got rid of by bleeding. The head casket would most likely be the culprit but without the proper torquing tools we are somewhat flummoxed as Ian won't be able to check if this is the case. All he can do is to keep a daily check on it. In August we need to go back to Nottingham for Ian to have his annual MOT so this will be a good time to nip back to the bungalow and pick up the torque wrench. Until then we have to hope we won't suddenly break down!

6.30 am....and the reason why I love this river.





Today we left this 'ever so quiet' mooring by 9 30 am. Would have loved to stay longer but a fee of £5 per day for longer stays would have applied. A bit tight of us not to pay, I know! Anyway, the few miles we did do was very uneventful. Both locks Bray and Boulters were manned and not a side fill on either of them. There was a moment though when I thought Ian had completely lost it. Waving at a gentleman sitting in his garden, he thought it most rude that he wasn't acknowledged. I fell about laughing as I pointed out he was never likely to, being a garden statue!


At Boulters Lock the lock keeper mentioned we could moor on the Islands near to Cliveden house. The grounds are NT but the house has become a hotel and only open on certain days for a fee. Being NT members we rather fancied a walk around the grounds so mooring on the island for free tonight and then pushing across to the Cliveden House moorings in the morning and paying the £5, was rather appealing.

Cliveden House view from the river.



Look at that for the perfect island mooring.

Just perfect for the BBQ
 We found a fabulous spot, ideal for BBQ if the weather holds and have the island to ourselves. You cant get better than that!

And seen on route,

Bray lock weir.
Someone with a sense of humour

Another casualty of this river. Cruiser.
 And wildlife seen today,



Another freeloader!
Seen in a garden,







5 comments:

nb AmyJo said...

The thought of Ian waving to the statue had me in stitches :-)

Jennie said...

We too have moored on that island - it was in 2015, however we had an argument with the tree your bow is near and we lost! See https://pippa13.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/crash-bang-wallop.html for details (scroll down past the Henley blog). Jennie

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Oops, hope that doesn't happen to us! Looks a bit different now. Xxx

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Tell Ian not to be embarrassed. Some time ago when we were living in the UK, I bought a couple of metal birds (a rooster and a duck) for the garden. One Saturday morning, David came in looking for seeds for feeding the duck that had arrived. He took our friend Barry out and said 'Ssshhh, Don't scare it.' I had much the same reaction as you, Irene, as did Barry and all of the other Zero Degrees members present.
Mean, eh?
Mxx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Ian doesn't feel quite such an idiot now, Marilyn. Happens to the best of them eh! Xxx

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