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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 19 November 2021

The batteries, a real problem.

 20.30 and we had to start the engine. The battery volts were way down and if left without charging, the fridge would probably have packed up again. We only ran it for an hour and no one was disturbed 'cos we had moored well away from anyone else. 

November 18th

First thing this morning Ian started phoning around to see if 4 leisure battery replacements could be found. We want to change like for like, 240amp hour deep cycle which has lasted us for nearly 7 years. As we were about a three-hour cruise to Norbury, we phoned them first. Unfortunately they had no deep cycle batteries at all and when Ian asked if he could order some from the web and would they take delivery, I suppose quite rightly they refused. They do sell batteries but not the ones we wanted.  Ian then tried Turners at Wheaton Ashton. Now Stewart was more than helpful offering to phone around to see who had any and having found one of his suppliers that had 4, hoped to have them delivered by Monday. Means we have to hang around, but needs must as they say.

A late start then, I was ready to go, but Ian decided to clear FS's cabin top of the leaf carpet we had acquired overnight.  It was well past 10 am then, before we got going. 

 

Saw this and decided every mooring should have one!


And wow...tree trimming and offside vegetation removal. Shame all the decent logs had been shredded. Just small bits left and mainly on the offside. No way could we get FS to the bank.



Another long line of linear moorings.

 

Two things immediately comes to mind when the Shropshire Union is mentioned. The first, those awful by washes and the second, the very tall bridges. This one, bridge 39, must be one of the best photographed on the Shroppie.


Norbury came into view. Quite a special place because in 2004 Merlin was launched from here.

Back in the days, none of the hire boats were at the wharf, so it was easy for the crane to lift her from the low loader into the water. 




The Anglo Welsh livery in 2004.  She was painted at Norbury

We name this ship....Merlin


 And this is Norbury Wharf today.

 

Several attempts at getting moored in the middle of nowhere resulted in failure. In the end we stopped at Gnosall on the visitor moorings. Boats moored on the offside as well as in front, so engine has to be switched off by 8.pm. We now wait to hear from Stewart.

And wildlife.




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4 comments:

Barbara said...

If you need to be on your own there is a mooring through the tunnel and under a bridge then lovely open views it’s a nice spot, or further on and an hour from Wheaton Aston there’s another nice mooring but on pins. We know the moorings round there we spent most of the first lockdown there and Turners garage (Stuart) and the post office were just amazing people. Hope you get sorted. X

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

We have made it to Wheaton Aston Barbara, and moored on the 48 hours moorings. Those moorings you mentioned would have been ideal had we needed to stay for the weekend, but Stuart was a star and got the batteries for us. Xx

Dave Ward said...

No personal connection, but I've used Advanced Battery Supplies a couple of times. They are a web based outfit, and also have an eBay shop if you want to use that. I dare say they can arrange delivery to a specific location if needed.

https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/product-category/leisure-batteries/boat-marine-batteries-chargers/narrowboat-batteries/

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks, Dave but thankfully Turners came good.

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