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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 5 May 2018

Bloggers and thickets.

Gosh, I can't believe Ian and I have reached our 45th wedding anniversary. I mentioned to him that wouldn't it be nice to renew our vows but I won't publish what he said back! Anyway, yesterday we had a lovely meeting with Jennie and Chris Nb Tentartrice They made it all the way up the Erewash and with their wonderful Granddaughter Evelyn arriving early evening we all made for the Great Northern for a meal that night. Evelyn is an absolute delight. For a 10-year-old, I was amazed at her excellent manners and inquisitive mind. Such a credit to her mum and dad.


  Before they set off in the morning Ian and I gave them a tour to the end of navigation and then to see the toll and pump house. I think they were suitably impressed with what they saw. Evelyns mum and dad arrived for a trip back to Gallows Inn and we decided to share the lock so Ian could check to see if boats attending the rally would be able to get right into the side now that all the reeds had been removed.


Farewell to Jennie, Chris and family

Waving farewell we began the task of manoeuvring FS towards the edge. Having thought reed removal would do the trick well it was a shock to find large boulders was now a bigger problem and one we could not resolve. All along the straight we only managed to get in by 2 foot. This is a real dilemma as far as the trades are concerned. They need to be right into the side for safety and serving the public.  Back to the drawing board once more for Ian. Then with the offside vegetation also being an issue, I took FS right into the heart of the thickets just so Ian could trim some of the branches. I'm beginning to wonder if the rally weekend will turn out okay. Nothing but problems at the moment and all to be resolved by the big day, fingers crossed. Please let it be okay on the day!


Marking the worst areas


hugging the offside bank to make sure boats can pass when we have boats moored three abreast.


Right a bit



3 comments:

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

That's a big job you two have taken on, I&I. Well done you.
And it will be all right on the day - just email all traders to bring wide planks for the public. Or talk to a builders merchant and get them to donate/lend some planks or aluminium ramps that they can get advertising credit for. "P
'Boarding planks supplied by xyz Building Supplies, your friendly local firm. Call us on 07xxxxx, or check us out on line at www.vvvvv'
Mxx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

We think Ian has resolved the problem by changing moorings for several boaters. Not that they are aware of that yet but they soon will be! Traders are now going from the lock to the winding hole where a good depth of water is still to be had. Xxx

Jennie said...

It was really good to catch up with the two of you again, but you kept your special day a tight secret!! Belated Anniversary wishes. We all enjoyed our tour around the basin, the pumphouse and the toll house - a privilege that few are afforded. We have made it back to Trent Lock and Sue and Ken (nb Cleddau) should be arriving later today for the second part of our 2018 cruise to begin. Off to catch up with my blog as I am a few days behind! Jennie

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