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.

Saturday 9 August 2014

Phew.... Exhausted after epic journey

Well the good news is the pound above was full. Not sure if C&RT filled it or if all that rain yesterday afternoon did the job, but I care not as long as we could continue up the flight. Before we set off Paul and Lindsay with Springer Spaniel Jack, yours truly with Jade and Echo went for a steady climb up yonder hills. Ian was still nursing his poorly ankle and had to miss the spectacular views from the top. I'm a big fan of the Rochdale with its stunning landscape, not such a big fan, though, of this canals poor water situation. Reading other blogs it seems we aren't the only ones suffering with lack of water.


Lindsay, Paul and Jack

FS is moored nearest the railway and Paul and Lindsay's Happy Daze nearest the house.

Jade



Jade in the foreground, then Jack and finally Echo


Actually the title of this post is a bit misleading. We only moved just under a mile and did a grand total of 4 locks. Only the one lock, 28, nearly gave me a hernia. I had walked on to set the lock and found only one bottom gate paddle working which meant it took forever to equalise the water. Lindsay and Ian had arrived and expected the gates to be open and  consequently struggled to keep the boats still in the wind.  Paul arrived and both of us tried to open the gate but still it wouldn't open. It was only when I collared a chap walking his dog to help that the gate finally opened. This was to be our last lock of the day.but not so Paul and Lindsay. They carried on through a further 2 locks before calling it a day.
It was later in the afternoon when Paul and Lindsay walked back to see us that we were told Halfie   who had been steadily climbing the Rochdale from Manchester, was moored with them . Hopefully we will see them tomorrow.

No comments:

Blog Archive