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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.

Monday 23 October 2017

Almost like being back in Oz

Before I start today's ramblings I had this comment arrive from Barbara on yesterdays post. I think this is one to pass around if anyone is going to Coventry.

I also hope they get a good result thank goodness you had photographic evidence. Just to make you aware I was talking to the owners on nb Beltane Spirit this morning he said he had his ladder and cassette hose taken from his roof last night and several other boats had also had things taken he had been moored by the road on the left towards Coventry but decided to move. 

If anyone else has any issues about anything on the canal and river system I'm more than happy to post to warn others.

I also thought hard about this comment and was very undecided as to what to do. The last thing I want to do is upset Steve and Lesley after what they have been through but I also feel a warning needs to go out. So this comment left by Fran on Nb Tamara,

We met this man on Wednesday at Buckby Top Lock, followed by a further saga down Braunston fight later the same day and him running his engine in the early hours of Thursday morning. When we left Braunston he was receiving a visit from the local constabulary, not sure who rang them but there were a lot of unhappy boaters.
He is a Liverpudlian, not French, and definitely not deaf. He told us he spends his time travelling between the South of France and visiting his family in Liverpool, plus various other tales that we took with a pinch of salt! 


So there you have it. A con artist of the worst kind. I would give him a wide berth if you are ever unfortunate enough to meet him.

So back to today,

This morning first thing was to fill the water tank so moved a boat length to the water point. Once finished we pushed out and headed past those moored boats. In the distance, a boat was coming in our direction but for some reason stopped. Was there enough room to pass with those boats moored either side? Well yes, but seems he wanted to get into a mooring space that looked much too small for his size of boat. I must say I'm not usually a fan of bow thrusters (we feel they are too often misused) but in this instance, his reverse manoeuvre, then a push with the thruster button and the boat slid into that almost impossible space with inches to spare.



Before Nuneaton, we came to that iconic boatyard, Charity Dock. Always try to find something new that has been added and not sure if the skeleton was there or not last time we came past.  Might have to look back on previous posts to see.




Reached Nuneaton and Starline cruisers and still loads of moored boats reducing the channel width. We thought we got away with it by not meeting any other boat but at the last minute, and just as we breathed a sigh of relief, one approaches from around the bend. Thankfully it was near enough to the end moorings for it not to become a problem.



It turned quite mild this afternoon and didn't we know it! Flies.....lots and lots of flies! Almost like being back in Oz. Why they were attracted to FS is anyone's guess but I wish they would keep their naughty activities to themselves!





 Decided not to go down the Atherstone flight as space was available at the top. Moored right by that derelict factory with all those smashed windows. Hope this is historical damage and not recent. Might have to sleep with one eye open tonight!



And wildlife,

First Redwing seen this year. Normally arrive in the UK late September early October and stay until Spring.











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