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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 25 December 2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The lead up to Christmas has been fairly quiet. Plenty of catching up to do with family and friends, and a few problems to resolve with FS. One that was of urgency was the CO alarms going off on a regular basis. Could we find out why? Almost impossible and one that still hasn't been fully resolved. Ian replaced the door seal which we thought may have been the problem but, with the alarms still going off intermittently, it was obvious it wasn't that. A new alarm was bought 'just in case' but nop, still the sudden bleeping going off at all times day and night. So we replaced the small chimney with our very tall one. Placed a revolving cowl on top and kept fingers crossed. So far it has worked, but ever mindful of the dangers, before going to bed and no matter how cold it is, windows are opened to keep the boat well ventilated.

The next problem was the water pump kept cutting in. Again we searched high and low for a leak, none was found. After taking, it apart, checking seals etc, it now works as it should. Most baffling! Anyway, fingers crossed it stays that way!

Nothing more has gone wrong...so far! Long may it continue!

On Tuesday we got notification from CRT that a car had gone into the canal below Barkers lock. Ian drove over to Ilkeston yesterday, saw the car in the canal but failed in getting a photo! How many times do I need to tell him to take photos!!! Anyway there is a video from Newsflare so check it out on this LINK

The wind was an issue on the 21st. Storm Pia gave us gusts of 40 to 50mph which rocked FS and at one point during the night, (just gone midnight) blew down the pole holding the Christmas lights. Gosh, the almighty crash had us sitting up, hearts racing, clutching chests and wondering if the World had ended!



So with nothing further to report, it just leaves me to wish you all a

 VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

To every one that has dipped into the blog and read my ramblings. Have a wonderful Christmas holiday.

 

9 comments:

Jennie said...

Happy Christmas to you both xx

Graham said...

Merry Christmas, Irene & Ian.

Thank you for all your enjoyable posts and photographs over the year.

Pip and Mick said...

Just a thought re the co alarm: have you checked the batteries? A faulty one can set off a co alarm. A good indicator is if one battery is warm or hot (assuming lead acid batteries). Might be worth a check.

Mick

NB Oleanna

Anonymous said...

Thanx for your grrreat blog and wonderful wildlife pics etc. I've so enjoyed reading your blog this year.
So, looking forward to following next years adventures and hoping all goes smoothly for you.
Take care out there. xx
Ann Makemson

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Pip and Mick, Merry Christmas to you. That was what we thought, tried to change the battery, but that was not possible, so that was one of the reasons for buying a new one. Scary stuff though! Even though the beeping was annoying, at least it has saved our lives.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Merry Christmas Graham, Jennie and Ann. New Year next. Hope you all have a good one
Xxx

Jo said...

Hello Irene,
we had a similar issue with the Morso Squirrel on Sarah Kate. It transpired the problem was a rusty bolt on the rear blanking plate so CO2 was seeping out around the loose edge.
I continue to enjoy the blog, especially the wildlife photos.
Merry Christmas to you both.
Jo ex n/b Sarah Kate

Pip and Mick said...

HI Irene

It's now getting on for the time to say Happy New Year!

I didn't make my earlier comment particularly clear about batteries causing the alarm to go off. I meant your domestic lead acid batteries that power your 12 volt systems. If one of them goes faulty they can give off gas and set off a co alarm. They might smell of bad eggs and the faulty one will feel hot.

Mick

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks, Mick. Worth checking out.

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