About Us

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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.

Friday, 3 June 2016

Well look who turned up.

A grand voyage today, all of a 5 minutes cruise! It was because of the trees you see, that we moved.  No sun to charge the batteries making the solar panels redundant. Trust us to moor in the one spot that had a blooming great bush towpath side and trees on the offside. Shame really because the view from the lounge was stunning.

In the shade mores the pity.

The shape of the bank stopped us getting any nearer.

 The best place to get the sun all day was to move nearer to Burscough Bridge. Surrounded by houses unfortunately but the gardens are well tended and a pleasure to look at so not all bad.

Mooring last night just through the bridge 'ole

Bridge 32A, town centre and station to the right. Full facilities by bridge.

The long awaited FS spring clean was due and leaving Ian to tackle the rust spots round the bedroom window, I hoovered, dusted, cleaned windows, changed the bedding and scrubbed the bathroom to an inch of it's life. Lunchtime came and a well earned rest whilst eating a sandwich and then.....glancing out of the window a boat we knew well. Cleddau and on board Ken and Sue waving frantically. Well we shot out the back and of course we had to ask them to stop for a cuppa. Sue arrived armed with chocolate biccies (shame I couldn't have one) and inevitably the chat came round to loo's. Cassette v composing. Having been shown round Cleddau later and seen their loo I must say the merits for the composing loo out ways the emptying of the cassettes, which we do every 2-3 days depending on fluid intake. And no smell from it either. The liquid is captured in a small container (easily emptied ) whilst the solids go into a holding tank filled with crushed coconut shells and stirred after every use. I looked on line and found this web site eco toilets which explains better then I could on how it works. Anyway, we did discuss different topics, not just toilets, and high on the list was their Liverpool visit. Sounded fantastic and now the 15th, when it's our turn to go to the docks, cant come soon enough!

Sue and Ken
 After wishing them bon voyage (not sure when we will meet again) Ian got out the black gloss to touch up the gunwale and after my big clean this morning I felt I deserved to get the rod out. Wish I hadn't though as the first and only thing I caught was an eel!. So thankful it didn't swallow the hook (I only use barbless) because without even having to touch it (they are soooo slimy) I managed to flick the hook out of it's mouth.



Gave up after that and took to reading a book instead!

And coming past while I was fishing, a new duck family



And seen today,



female Bull Finch

And the male



1 comment:

Jennie said...

We too have a composting loo, Irene and having found cocoa shell hard to source we are now using animal bedding and find it even better. The cocoa shell has a tendency to stick to the agitator arm, whereas the animal bedding doesn't - it is also much easier to find and is cheaper! It was thanks to Sue and Ken that we chose a composting loo and we have had no regrets. You just never get stuck needing to find an elsan. Glad you all met up - Sue has told me what a good time they had with you guys.

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