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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.

Saturday 5 April 2014

Opps. Missed the boat.

It was an evening to remember in more ways then one. First the games night was a roaring success. Dominoes seemed the most popular but Mexican Train came a close second. Strange but the Rumikub box never got opened. Could be that everyone thought it was a too serious game and only for intellectuals.

Mexican Train being played by Izzie, Margaret, Carole,Tim and Jules.

Ian, Leslie, Marleen, Michael and John

Leslie, J.B, Marleen and Margaret only just in the picture.
 Loads more boaters turned up bringing their own drinks and before we knew it both rooms were heaving. So the party continued well into the night. By Midnight most had departed but a few of us stayed playing Mexican Train until after one. By now we had about exhausted the game so it was time to pack up and make for the boats. Now this is where the second part of the fun started.

It was dark. We had no torch. Ian was in front and I brought up the rear clutching the game boxes and my camera. We got to the boat, Ian stepped off the bank and onto the back deck and suddenly he'd gone! Disappeared from sight!. I heard the splash and, looking down, could just make out Ian's head and shoulders sticking out of the water. Even now Ian is unsure of what happened. All he knew was his foot slipped as he placed it on the back deck and then felt the ice cold water engulf his body.

Mind the gap!
Having managed to haul himself out (I tried to help but was more of a hindrance) the first thing was to check his phone. Great relieve when he found it to be working. As for his wallet, I'm now drying the one £20 note, driving licence and receipts! Anyway he stripped off on the back deck (good job there wasn't a moon............. apart from Ian of course) and bundled his clothes straight into the washing machine. After giving him a rum and coke ( just for the shock mind) and getting him showered, I then had to dress a very nasty wound on his shin. Still we did have a laugh and he was ever so glad no one was around to see his embarrassment. (:

Somehow today the news of Ian's misfortune spread amongst the boaters. I wonder who told them? Who me???? Never!! Anyway we have spent the day getting the cottage ready for tonight's entertainment, the meat pies are in the cottage (all 50 of them) and 2 huge catering tins of mushy peas are ready to be opened. We have seen another 4 boats through the lock, including the widebeam. Somehow we have managed to find them all a mooring, although several had to moor below Sandiacre lock. Looking forward to tonight do but I'm going to keep a very close eye on Ian when the evening is over.



Seems to have misjudged the bend



6 comments:

Nicky said...

Hi having been following your blog for over a year with lifes ups and downs, at the moment i can hardly see to type from laughing, i do hope Ian is ok, i have been living on a marina for the last 6 months with my partner, and had a nasty fall myself last november, a black eye was my prize xx

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Nicky,

So glad you have come on board to join our life afloat. Somehow we always seem to get into the odd scrape or two. It makes life interesting to say the least. Thank you for your comment. Who knows one day we may meet. You will have to let us know your boat name so we can look out for you.
Xxx

Jacquie said...

classic Irene, I do wish we get the chance of a night out or in !!x

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Jacquie, are you sure you want to spend time with us? We seem to have more disasters then most.(: I feel sure we will meet somewhere along the system and then we can all party the night away.
Xxx

Sue said...

It happens!.. But you are having such great fun at the moment it doesn't really matter does it?

Just enjoy what we do and accept the occasional duckin! :D

Nicky said...

well its to loaded on deck this last yr to cruise but we are moored permanently at mk marina,so next time you are up that way id love to pop along the towpath for a chat xx

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