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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 1 July 2020

Fencing on land please, not in the canal!

It's back in....the power unit and generator is up and running and behaving (so far) beautifully. Ian's diagnostic testing on the inverter and cables threw up no problems so the mystery of why the travel pack kept failing is still just that...a mystery!

We left the pontoon quite late, a Skype call to my brother in Australia was the reason. Blimey, I thought I was bad but my bruv can talk for England (or should that be Oz) and when the time got to 10.30am I managed to convince him to call it a day.



Back down the Ashby toward Marston Junction and between bridge 8 and 6 (where had bridge 7 got to?) loads of wood floating in the water. Turned out to be part of the fencing from the farmer's field. Why would anyone want to forcibly pull the fences away and throw them in the canal? A vendetta maybe?? Surely not youths but you never know. Anyway, Ian was on the helm and although he tried to steer around them one got hooked on the front hull plate and dragged a fair way. Came off eventually after Ian waggled the tiller causing FS to skew left and right and somehow managed to avoid the rest.






Through bridge 1 and the junction came into view.



A right turn back on the Coventry and the first thing we saw was a Kingfisher and the only one so far since leaving Langley. Took a quick photo then raced through the boat to the front. Could have saved myself the bother 'cos I didn't see it again after that.



 Before Hawkesbury Junction who should be moored but Jenn and Jim. I'm sure they must think we are stalking them (we're not honest) and with plenty of room in front we pulled in for a natter. Decided we may as well call it a day and try and figure out where the generator was going to live. The life ring had been stored behind the coats but too big to be able to leave it there and home the generator as well so the ring had to go back onto the roof. A real eyesore but we must carry one, it's the law, so for the time being, I'm going to have to put up with it.




Hawkesbury Junction
 Did I mention our fridge? No?? Well it if we didn't have bad luck we'd have none at all!  For a while now to get the fridge to the correct temperature the dial had to be turned up and the back of the fridge kept icing up. In Ian's past life he was an air conditioning engineer so of course, he suspected it was low on gas. On the recommendation from Jim, there is a company in Braunston that does fridge repairs and on finding the number and speaking to one of the staff we could have it looked at on Saturday. Braunston it is then for Friday and fingers crossed a space can be found!

And wildlife,

A confused Hoverfly perhaps?




3 comments:

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

When did it become law that you must carry a generator, Irene? Waka Huia doesn't have one ...

Love your bird photos, sweetheart.

Mxxoo

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

No, no, Marilyn the life ring (: It must be the way I worded it. (: Xxx

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Well thank heavens for that!!! I was worried and haven't slept all night ... Nah, not really!
Mxx

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