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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 15 December 2017

And the journey endeth

Beep beep beep.... what on earth????. T'was only 6.45am but search as we may, could we find where it was coming from? Ian deduced it was a low gas warning sound but closer inspection of the gas heater proved him wrong. So where was it coming from? Eventually, Ian decided it was coming from me! What??? Not exactly from me but from under my bed. Turns out it was the inverter which we had forgotten to switch off last night and the beeping was the low battery warning. Decided we may as well get up and view our surroundings.






Even though we were right next to the road very little in the way of traffic came past. A quick walk through Weston woods this morning, (very invigorating) before we even had any breakfast and then a decision to head for Weston-Super-Mare and PC World.

Two things were needed from this store. A 16 Gb micro sd card and a card reader for my computer.
The micro sd card was for updating the sat nav. When this Garmin tried to direct us down a single lane farm road because she (yes we have a temperamental female) thinks our place name is wrong and she knows best and then  thinks we are driving across a field because she doesn't recognise that a new road has been built over 2 years ago and why is it she sometimes recognises a roundabout and some are invisible. That's when it was time to update the maps and the only way to do this was onto a micro sd card.

And I had to have a card reader because the computers sd slot was Kaput and I couldn't download my photos other than with a lead. For some reason, all my Raw files were ignored. As you lot well know. Me and my camera and I'm a happy bunny. Not being able to download the photos and I'm like a bear with a sore head! Anyway, both articles were purchased and while I went walkabout at Slimbridge (yes that was where we ended up today) Ian updated the Sat Nav.

The site we found was right by the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. In fact, we could hear the boat generators that's how close we were. Played havoc with the TV signal! Anyway, this was to be our last night out in the 'Beast'. Unfortunately, Ian did a stupid thing by bending over to tie his shoelace and couldn't straighten up afterwards!  Reckoned he pulled a muscle in his back. Plenty of painkillers and anti-inflammatories taken and by this morning he was sort of mobile again.  We decided not to do any more travelling but head back to FS.





The boat was freezing and my Chillie plant had withered and died through the cold. Heating went straight on (diesel and also the stove lit) so now as warm as toast. Next outing will be on Merlin when we fetch her from Great Hayward and take her back to Bunbury for Anglo Welsh. Looking forward to having Christmas afloat with a good friend of ours Pat. It's been several years since her husband died and she only now feels able to join us as previous trips had always included Keith. Should be fun.

Some photos of Slimbridge.






Water Rail, apparently not a common visitor at Slimbridge








Manderin ducks



Never seen a Trumpet Swan before. This male lost its mate through Bronchitis and now awaits a new female












6 comments:

Alan said...

Evening Ian & Irene,enjoyed following your first outing in the beast, trust Ian's back is getting better. With you mentioning your forthcoming trip on Merlin, Judith's been following nb. Princess Lucy blog who've just come down Hurleston and onto Bunbury, where they had a problem at Bunbury Locks, might be worth a read.

Alan & Judith.

Carol said...

Wonderful pictures of Slimbridge - love the otter!

Anonymous said...

Came down the Severn to cruise the length of the Sharpness Canal and moored at Slimbridge.
A beautiful area and we moored just by the bridge at Shepherds Patch too.
There is a good pub there, The Tudor Arms, with a touring park behind it with well equipped laundry if you ever need one.
Hope Ian recovers gently, I'm sure you'll be a good nurse eh?
Super photos as usual,thanx.
Ann

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks Alan, We won't be arriving at Bunbury until 27th so hope all will be clear by then.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thankyou Ann. We cruised the Gloucester and Sharpness a few years ago and loved how wide and deep it was. We were also very lucky to see the Severn Bore. Xx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks Carol Xx

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