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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 15 August 2017

Yea... the travel pack is working again.

Such an early start, we wanted to get to Atherstone as soon as possible. By 9.30am we had reached Marston Junction.

Approaching Marston Junction

Turning right onto the Coventry I must say I was very impressed with it's neat appearance and equally impressed at Nuneaton itself. No longer the dumping ground for the rubbish it once was and now a delight to cruise along.




Had the usual problems at the boat yard. Coming through bridge 27 and the first thing you come across is a moored boat. On the offside at Starline boat yard, a dayboat about to set off and coming toward us another boat. Not sure why C&RT allow boats to moor so near to the bridge and right by a working yard. We always have trouble with this bit.





Reached Atherstone top lock and more hold ups. Not for the locks but because a boat on the landing wanted to wind and with a boat on the water point, couldn't get round. In the lock an ascending boat so we started our approach to the lock. Then a loud voice..."It's my turn next" says the boater on the water point. He had literally removed the hose from the tap and untied as the other boat was coming out of the lock. Oh well, hey ho as they say, his need must be greater but he did cause a few problems when he was determined to get away before us nearly reversing straight into the oncoming boat.


 We then pulled onto the water point. Talk about a slow tap! But we were causing problems ourselves as another boat appeared wanting to wind. With Ian's help he managed to get round...just. We gave up with the water in the end, hopefully we can fill on the way back.







Two volunteer lockies helped us down two of the locks and with boats coming up, we always had a lock with us. Just past the Kings Head we found a mooring and as soon as we had secured FS it was walk to Cox's and fetch the alternator and travel pack. The alternator has had a complete rebuild and was not a reconditioned one that we thought may have been the case and the travel pack had all the modules changed. Just the two that really needed changing but (and not sure if this is right) the chap said if he had left the two good ones in they would have eventually given up the ghost too. 








And wildlife today,






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