About Us

My photo
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.

Thursday 7 April 2016

What is the last thing you want to hear on a boat?

Monday 4th pm

So last night. We had nestled in quite nicely between Catherine and Hecla in Hawne Basin, had dinner, did the washing up and sat down to watch TV. Then we became aware of a noise.... the water pump kept cutting in and out. Okay, first try the taps to make sure they were all turned off. They were. Okay,  now what!! Look at the water pump to see if we had sprung a leak. Hmmmm not that!! What on earth could be the cause of the pump running. Then I noticed the galley floor! Swimming in water it was. Oh 'eck where was that coming from. Ian thought the washing machine was the culprit but I opened the cupboard under the sink and sure enough water laying everywhere. Not from the pipe connections but from the water filter. Somehow the plastic nut had come undone and water was pouring out. Luckily we caught it in time. Dread to think what would have happened had we gone out!

Every thing on the shelves were soaked.

It was one of the plastic connectors on the top that was leaking.
Tuesday 5th

After Ian walked to get the fire rope, we set off around 10ish. Weather was still blooming cold even though the Beeb met office told of warm and sunny conditions. Going back through the tunnel again we were joined by 4 ducks. I don't know who was more surprised them or us.

Leaving Hawne Basin

We still took the solar panels off, just in case.


Three and a ....
straggler.
Reaching the junction we turned left toward Windmill End. Although idyllic looking, this place holds some bad memories. To see why view here.

Windmill End. Beautiful isn't it. Don't be fooled though!!! On the other side of the hedge is a huge council estate.
Only the one lock to do today. Blowers Green lock. Then onto the Dudley No 1 Canal. It's a very sharp left turn to the lock which greets you as soon as you get round. Opposite this lock is Parkhead Locks. These locks lead up to the Dudley Tunnel, the other end being at the Black Country Museum. Unfortunately it's not navigable by ones own boat.


Managed to find a mooring at Merryhills. In fact not a single boat moored by the shopping centre. Here I was lucky enough to see a Fox on the waste ground opposite the mooring.  Not only that but the first Gosling's I have seen this Spring swum past.



And on the journey a fisherman with the longest hair I have ever seen.


Dreadlocks nearly reach the ground.
 And today's wildlife,











No comments:

Blog Archive