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.

Thursday, 23 October 2008

Yet another lift bridge


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The three woofits

From left to right, Judy, Echo and Jade.
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By the lake

Autumn had definatly arrived. By morning both boats were covered with leaves. As we had had rain during the night it was extremly difficult to scrape the leaves from the roofs.

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Turning the boat.


After several failed attempts Christine finally managed to wind the boat around. I don't think it helped with me shouting instructions at her. More of a hindrance I say!!

Washing the boat


Here I am with Ian doing our daily chores. I have a rather trendy pinny on dont you think?

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Lovely Autumn morning


We moored at the junction of the Llangollen and Montgomery again on the way back to Trevor. Kev and I fished intensely again and even I only caught one small Perch!. Very disappointing.

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Keep trying Kev


I don't think I have ever known anyone to try his hand at pike fishing and failing miserable. For the whole week we were away he never had so much as a nibble!!!!
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Colin and Echo


This is how Colin was dressed before he decided to have a dip in the canal.
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What a muppet

Colin and Iwona came to visit us on Merlin with our first Grandson Oscar. This picture was taken of Colin after having fallen in the canal whilst pushing the boat off the bank. As he had no other clothes with him, he had to change into a pair of Ian's tracksuit bottoms. As you can see he's quite a large lad and consequently they were a bit small to say the least.
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Oscar and Colin


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Proud Grandparents


Oscar was born on October 3rd 2008. This is the first time we had seen him and we were delighted to hold him for the first time. I know all parents and grandparents are bias to there own offspring, but I can truly say he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.
Iwona and Oscar
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Trip to Llangollen

Colin still in his rather fetching outfit catching the sun rays to try and dry out a little.

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Oscar

Iwona and Oscar at their home in London

Colin looking ever the proud dad





















Bath time


















and play time


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Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Chirk Tunnel




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Chirk aquaduct


Lovely views from the aquaduct.
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Our sick boat


At Whitchurch lift bridge our engine started making peculiar noises. On closer inspection Ian discovered our fan belt had split. As usual Ian carries spares of everything and duly came up with a new belt. What he hadn't realised is that he was sold the wrong one and this one didn't fit!!! Of he went into Whitchurch armed with engine number and came back clutching a new belt. Guess what. This one didn't fit either!!!!! Soooo Ian being Ian decided he would modify the linkage to make it fit, and you've guessed it, it did.

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