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.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Where she nestled she stayed.

That's it...our penultimate journey all done and dusted. Took us two and half hours to arrive back at Sandiacre. We could have done it in half the time but we wanted to enjoy this leg. Also, all three of the locks had to be emptied before I could ascend and with the Erewash as our home canal, plenty of the locals came out to chat and welcome us back.

Reversing into the only bit of the Derby Canal still in water, I did an almost textbook manoeuvre until halfway in when the rudder got stuck in the silt. Tried to go forward but that wasn't going to happen. In the end, Ian was thrown the centre rope to pull FS in. The ropes were tied to bollards but with quite a stretch as 'where she nestled she stayed'. Every time Sandiacre lock was used more water was drawn from under her hull until we may as well have been on dry land, not a movement was felt! But so long as we are not on the P, that's the main thing.

Just the photos to show and you won't hear another word from me until we leave for Langley at the weekend (I can almost hear the sighs of relief).


Leaving Trent Lock

Trust boats waiting for the dry dock.


Long Eaton lock

I still can't believe this hasn't been repaired. It was like this when we left in May. See below
May 2017


But this Willow has been trimmed. See next photo as what it was like before.

Dockholme Lock

Sandiacre Lock

One of the locals pleased to see us.


That banner on the bridge, The Start of the Derby Canal.

Just a bit of a gap!

And wildlife today,









1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Remembering our cruise up to the Great North Basin via your lovely pics here Irene thanx for jogging the memory.
Ann and Keith xx

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