Wye Invader Two has been commented on as being ‘Extreme Narrow-boaters', so when we get an idea and have an itch, we need to scratch it…

Around 35 years ago, I spent many hours walking the banks of the River’s Wye and Lugg, checking on the number of weirs and lock remains that were likely to cause obstructions to the passage of the 124 foot, 230 Tonne Dutch Barge Wye Invader that I was planning on bringing up the River Wye to Hereford. On the Wye, I found the remains of 21 weirs that had been breached and the locks that would have allowed ships to bypass the weirs were no longer there, I also noticed that the thousands of tons of dressed stone used in their construction had been robbed out.

Monday 2nd August - We arrived at Sharpness Marina at 11.15 hours, I checked engine and gearbox oils and filled the water tank, then started the engine and we left the mooring for Gloucester at 12.00 hours. By 14.00 hours, we stopped at Saul Junction for fuel and then, had a very pleasant journey up to Gloucester arriving at about 17.00 hours. Later that evening walked round to Weatherspoon’s for a few beers and a meal. The weather that evening was ‘interesting’ to say the least, heavy showers then a sunset!

Thursday 27 May. Left Hereford at 12.00 for Sharpness via Dymock to stop in and see our video / website guy to discuss what he required in the way of photos and notes for the booking Wye Invader Two had with Del, a fuel and systems cleaning specialist based at Saul Junction, who would be cleaning out the diesel tank and filtering the fuel the following day. We spent about 15 minutes with Dave and then on to Sharpness by about 2pm. Wye Invader Two cleared the Marina by 14.30 and arrived at Saul Junction at 17.30, the weather was pleasant on the way up the Gloucester and Sharpness canal, almost the first day of Summer.

On Monday 10th May 2021, Wye Invader Two was booked to be lifted from the Saw Mill Boat Yard, this was put on hold because the weather was to rough with wind speeds gusting between 25 and 35 miles per hour and heavy showers. We booked to try again on the Tuesday but the wind speeds were still to high however, looking at the weather forecast for Wednesday, the low pressure that was over the UK was becoming more settled and the Isobars were becoming wider, indicating a reduction in overall wind speeds, so early afternoon Wednesday was pencilled in as possible go.