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.

Sunday 14 April 2019

All over for this year.

 8 am and we were away. Our final cruise looked to be perfect with the promise of a nice day, the sun was out and not a breath of wind. But that changed quite quickly when the clouds rolled in and the breeze picked up. And then it became cold, very cold...in fact bl**dy freezing.


I didn't bother with too many photos, been there, done it all, got the T-Shirt but I thought I would show three of the four very low bridges that have to be negotiated carefully when entering or exiting at Sandiacre, Hallam Fields, Potters and Shipley locks.

HALLAM FIELDS




POTTERS
Potters



SHIPLEY


 Also, another necessary item needed on this canal is a handcuff key, also known as the anti-vandal key. To keep the 'little darlings' from emptying a pound, a steel plate goes onto the spindle to stop the paddles from being lifted. To open these the anti-vandal key is used. It appears that many are missing from the locks and those that are still there some are not working due to the 'little darlings' already having vandalised them!




 Oh and beware of opening the top lock ground paddles at Barkers Lock to fast as you are likely to get soaked! Much to my amusement and Ian's annoyance, it's the sudden whoosh of air as the paddle is lifted that caused a jet of water to shoot up drenching Ian from the waist upwards.



Just before the final three locks of today, a fishing match was taking place. Apart from having to creep past so as not to disturb their swim, which in itself is a pain, the fact that on every lock they were also fishing from the lock landing making my blood boil. I think its time C&RT explain to the fishing clubs that a lock landing is not an acceptable fishing platform.



Took us nearly 6 hours to get back because, apart from two, every lock had to be turned which added another 60 minutes on our timings. We have settled FS on her moorings, the aerial is up and we have hooked up to the electrics. What will happen to us now is mainly dependent on the NHS appointment waiting times and hospital visits.

So to everyone who will be starting their cruising at Easter, to everyone that is already underway and to all of you that cruise continuously, we wish you all a great Summer season filled full of adventure and masses of fun.


And the final wildlife of today.









10 comments:

Barbara said...

Hello to you both I’m the one who shouted to you about themoorings in a Braunston for Mother’s Day. I’m sad to hear you won’t be our cruising this summer I love your blog and your pictures. I wish you both well and hope to seeyou outon the canal soon. Kind regardsBarbara

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hello Barbara, Yes I remember it well and you were right there were loads of moorings in Braunston. Thank you for your kind words, I'm going to miss the cruising but we may well get out in the motor home for short trips. No doubt I will blog about that. Enjoy the summer months, hopefully the weather will be kind to you. Xxx

Peter on NB Anna Claire said...

Good luck I loved your blog Peter

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thank you Peter. Xx

nb Bonjour said...

Hi Irene,
Best wishes for a good outcome and hope whatever treatment is recommended is not too onerous. I hope we may see some wildlife pictures now and then?

On another subject, I haven't noticed any blogging about fishing recently. Have you stopped? Dave has decided not to fish any more (though he may if he wants to catch something to eat). He says it is very obvious that fish don't enjoy being caught and it has stopped giving him any pleasure.

We'll miss your blog - hope you can get out boating or at least in the motor-home later in the yesr.

Our very best wishes
Debby and Dave

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thank you Debby and Dave. I may put the odd wildlife photo on, depends on what I see. As for fishing, yes I still enjoy it but now we have the motor home, and because our initial plans were to go to Scotland for a couple of months during the summer,(all gone by the wayside) I didn't bother with a licence. I'm not allowed to fish here at Langley Mill (club rules)and the fishing below the lock is private. Never mind, plenty of TLC needed on the boat and hope to use the dry dock over Easter for a bit of bottom blacking. Hope your summer is one of relaxation, tranquillity and much enjoyment Xxx

Anonymous said...

Iv'e enjoyed reading your interesting account of your cruising this year, accompanied by grrreat photos especially the wildlife ones.
Wishing you well for the coming summer months.
Ann Makemson xx

Graham said...

Hi Irene,

I've been trying to send you an email but it just bounces back to me. It's a Yahoo address that I have - have you changed it?

Graham (the famous photographer - or so you say!)

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hello Graham, I have sent my address to you via email. Hopefully yours is still the same otherwise that too will be bounced back at me (:. Look forward to hearing from you Xx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thank You Ann. Xx

Blog Archive