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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.

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Spaghetti Junction from below.






Another early start this morning. At 6.45am we snuck away from our moorings trying not to wake our fellow boaters. We had the rest of Curdworth flight, Minworth and all of Perry Barr locks to do. A total of 11 miles and 23 locks. Its years since we have travelled under Spaghetti Junction. Seems to be more graffiti then ever sprayed all over the concrete. It felt really surreal travelling under all the motorways. Workman were working on the columns reinforcing some of them while most of the drivers speeding above were totally oblivious that narrowboats were meandering slowly below.


  Perry Barr flight was almost deserted. Just us and two other boats locking up. We seemed to make good time until about midway up when the heavens opened. Ian was trying to empty the lock while I was hovering in the pound and with nowhere to hide from the rain and hail, got completely drenched. Ian managed to shelter under a tree, but I had to sit it out suffer the water trickling down my neck!! I was ever so glad when I eventually got into the lock and could grab a towel to dry myself off. We still took just under an hour to do 7 locks ( turning round every one ) so felt very proud of ourselves.
Lock 3 in the flight was a disgrace. This should never have been allowed to stay as it was. Ian got straight on to BW telling them that this was an accident waiting to happen!

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