Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
22 August 2026
Le service normal reprendra la semaine prochaine.
Pickingupducks
Apologies – spending time with old friends from Preaux on Preaux and in the National Forest. Normal service will be resumed next week. Have a great week in the meantime and thank you for all those rain dances which appear
21 August 2026
Grand Union Canal to br 100 South Oxford
NB Huffler
Now we start to repair all the damage done to boat this year before we go into dry dock in early October. If we can get the prep done before going in it saves a lot of time once we
Grand Union Canal , Braunston - painting and repairing click to read more
NB Huffler
Now we start to repair all the damage done to boat this year before we go into dry dock in early October. If we can get the prep done before going in it saves a lot of time once we
Grand Union Canal, /South Oxford Canal br 100 back to Braunston
NB Huffler
having found a small spot of oil on the head gasket seal when he wiped the engine down last evening We decided to return to the marina to change the head gasket. It was much shorter to reverse to the
18 August 2026
Painting which I hate
NB Percy
My last entry was detailing our return from the failed Chester cruise. Things went from bad to worse with Rachel leaving the boat to get an uber from Market Drayton to Royal Stoke to get her neck checked out leaving
A trip with a difference
NB Harnser
On Sunday August 16 2026 we sailed on the restored Norfolk trading Wherry, Maud on the River Yare. [Wherry Maud Trust – Keeping Broads history alive][1] As it was a one way journey from Thorpe, Frostbites sailing club to Reedham
17 August 2026
Welcome rain except at 3 am!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
August 17th These last few days have gone quickly; only one more night before we travel back to FS. And apart from going out to find another beach for Toffee to play on, we have just chilled. Saturday we did
16 August 2026
Braunston
NB Huffler
Here for a couple of days. Tony has to go home tomorrow. See work has started on the old Stop House. It is normally busy at Braunston through the old stop lock but with the lock restrictions boats only seem
1976 and all that.
NB Herbie
In a couple of weeks it'll be just 50 years since Kath and I got married. 1976. It seems oddly appropriate that exactly like then we are now hoping for the end of a long hot drought. At the time
Repaint Week 9 W/C 10th August
NB Oleanna
*Redhill Marina / Scarboreugh!* Monday morning a message was sent to Tom to see if we could pay a visit this week. Wednesday was to be a spraying day, so not a good day to visit, but Tuesday was looking
15 August 2026
An update of whats been happening.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
August 15^{th} Has it really been 2 months since I last posted? Gosh, I’m beginning to wonder where the time has gone. It's not as if nothing has happened; I’ve just been very lax in putting fingers to the keyboard.
Fear, fire and fortune
Pickingupducks
So many people are feeling vulnerable at the moment, there is a palpable sense of fear. Near us fields have been set alight alongside the river and although no animals were injured it could have been very different if the
13 August 2026
North Oxford Canal - Dunchurch to Braunston
NB Huffler
Normally it is an 8hr journey from Hawkesbury to Braunston. We used to do it in a day Time passed, we got older and tended to stop at Rugby or Newbold. This year we have severe drought and have returned
10 August 2026
North Oxford Canal - Rugby to Hillmorton. click to read more
NB Huffler
moving over to Brownsover Park we disposed of rubbish and topped up with water. Tony took the opportunity to leather the solar panels and the side of the boat off. Hillmorton locks are on restricted hours, 10am to 3pm with
9 August 2026
Repaint Week 8 W/C 3rd August
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* Well….. After Tom’s plan last week, we’ve heard very little this week, infact nothing. School holidays now delay progress on Oleanna’s repaint. **A new feline landing net** We plan on making a visit early next week,
8 August 2026
North Oxford Canal - Hillmorton to near Dunchurch
NB Huffler
The Royal Oak, now called The Waterside. Had a lovely Carvery there yesterday. Funnily enough the Credit Card says"The Royal Oak" . You used to be able to moor outside but sadly there seems to be 2 permanent boats outside.
Water way to go…
Pickingupducks
We have made it onto the rivers and water is again moving below our hull. To be honest, it couldn’t have been shallower where we had been moored after lock and water control issues left boats and businesses high and
7 August 2026
North Oxford Canal - Brinklow to Rugby click to read more
NB Huffler
leaving the busy mooring at Brinklow beautiful as we pass through All Oaks Wood as we leave Brinklow These old cottages used to be a pub, The Boat Inn, now called Rose Cottage. The interesting boat moored outside. I think
Narrowboat bathroom ideas
Insure4Boats
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 Every bathroom deserves an update or a refresh from time to time – that’s as true on a narrowboat as it is in a home. And sometimes, it can be a question of ripping everything out and starting again.
Making the best of it.
NB Herbie
Well, it's official; the Oxford canal from Claydon to Aynho is now shut. All the locks will be padlocked shut and boats will stay where they are. The reason of course is lack of water in the feeder reservoirs. There
6 August 2026
North Oxford Canal - Hawkesbury junction to Brinklow .click to read more
NB Huffler
Nice to be moving again after sitting at Hawkesbury waiting for family to arrive. We filled with water Tony had a wonderful day yesterday with his daughter and her American family. We filled with water before setting off towards Brinklow.
4 August 2026
Back home
NB Harnser
Change of plan this morning and we decided we would come home today and not tomorrow. So at 9 am we cast off, chugged round the marina and headed off to Dunchurch pools, in that short journey we met 8
Catcalling
NB Herbie
Here we are moored below Slat Mill lock on the dear old Oxford. We're slowly making our way back from Banbury where we spent the last two nights. Mooring was not a problem and we got a favourite spot by
Coventry Basin and Return to Hawkesbury junction click to see more
NB Huffler
We had a lovely 2 days here. Its very quiet. Very secure and right in the centre of Coventry. Video survellience and lit at night. old trans shipment buildings to the opposite side of the arm we are moored in.
3 August 2026
Home moorings
NB Harnser
The first couple of boat came by quite early to join the queue for the ten o’clock flight opening so we were away about half nine. Three hire boats who looked to be one big family traveling together asked if
2 August 2026
Hillmorton
NB Harnser
We were away earlier today as we decided we would head through Hillmorton in case they reviewed the opening hours on Monday, so off at 9am.Crossing the second aqueduct coming into Rugby the off side railing have rotted away, it
Coventry Canal Hawkesbury to Coventry Basin click to see more
NB Huffler
it is very overcast today. We are having to reverse through the stop lock and try a 'round in 1' in reverse ! Going to be interesting. 11.15 am and 5 miles to Coventry Basin. Oh no, a boat is
1 August 2026
Repaint Week 7 W/C 27th July
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* Patience is a virtue, it’s also getting VERY boring now! **Taking the weight off whilst the IT department sort out a problem** Last Sunday we waved goodbye to the Calendar Girls who have been staying with
All Oaks Wood
NB Harnser
Away just before 10 and went over something hard just before bridge 15, that’s a little less 2 pack on the base plate. Round passed Charity Dock and there looked to be a few boats missing so this old wooden
Planning to manage BST – British Shallow Time
Pickingupducks
So two weeks ago, we left you at a point where we had a broken boat and immense frustration at the state of the canals. A family holiday with the invaluable perspective of an eight year-old has helped immensely, as
31 July 2026
Coventry Canal - Charity Dock to Sutton Stop click for more
NB Huffler
Moving off this morning the weather knew exactly what it was doing .. Hot. Hot and Hotter 30 degrees today. Charity Dock cannot be explainedIt has to be seen to be believed The Stig is there to greet you, as
Marston Junction
NB Harnser
About half nine this morning a CRT chap walks by and said the locks are off. They needed to let water down so the boaters waiting may as well make use of it so opened early. We set off and
30 July 2026
Lock 5 Atherstone Flight
NB Harnser
Today’s plan was to moor below Atherstone Locks as the last entry was at 1400 hrs. but that changed. Soon after setting off we passed a CRT mooring basin that has no boats moored in it. It did however have
Coventry Canal - to near Charity Dock click to see more
NB Huffler
We moved on towards Nuneaton for some shopping. This single old telegraph pole always amuses me. Why did they leave just one ? The weather seemed unable to make its mind up and its quite a cold start.Passing old cottages,
29 July 2026
Fazeley Junction
NB Harnser
It was warm from the word go, clear blue sky and a few gusty puffs of wind. We hadn’t gone far when we met this chap. On the wrong side but well out of the way.[[DSCF2185]][1] This boat was moored
28 July 2026
Fradley Village
NB Harnser
Last night we ate rather more than we should have of an Indian Takeaway from Indian Cottage, the Bengal Chicken was on the warm side, but the beef dish really tender. About 11pm I was getting the tv aerial in
Coventry Canal - somewhere before Nuneaton. click for more
NB Huffler
Lovely quiet spot in the middle of nowhere - well it feels like that. I think we are very close to Nuneaton. Tony preparing the front deck for painting The hand rails being done as well - he is a
27 July 2026
Rugeley
NB Harnser
When we set off this morning it was quite cloudy, but no sign of any rain.[[DSCF2162]][1] One of the narrow gardens between the canal and the railway line has some great kids toys including a zip wire.[[DSCF2163]][2] The canal was
26 July 2026
Baswich
NB Harnser
We were away a little before ten to overcast morning, there were a few spots of wet on the roof but the towpath was dry. we had reasonable luck with all the locks, ether a boat coming up, out, or
25 July 2026
Coventry Canal Mancetter to Nuneaton click for more
NB Huffler
After a couple of days here we say 'good bye' to friends who wave us off and set off towards Nuneaton. We are being warned by passing boats that water levels are low ! The spill weirs confirm this Passing
Penkridge, Cross Keys
NB Harnser
Loads of boats had been passed well before we were out of bed, but it was quiet when we set off, but it wasn’t long before we were meeting boats. A short way before Four Ashes the paint scheme on
Repaint Week 6 W/C 20th July
NB Oleanna
*Redhill Marina / Scarboreugh* **Tilly sun puddling** Living on land now involves creaky staircases, encouraging Tilly to sleep in a different room, making a list of things that need to be done before leaving Scarborough, starting to tick them off,
24 July 2026
Coven, Fox and Anchor
NB Harnser
Yesterday I failed to mention that NB Sarina (hope I have the name right) who said they read my blog said hello. Well you may have notices from the heading, we are still in Coven but we have done over
Coventry Canal - Mancetter
NB Huffler
We stayed here a few days to get some paintwork repaired now we have only 4 more locks before we get back to base. this is one of our favourite moorings on the Coventry Canal Tony starting to repair the
23 July 2026
Coven Lawn
NB Harnser
For some reason we were away before ten, We were soon passing under the first bridge, Today this sign would give the Barristers a field day arguing if a truck was to heavy or not.[[DSCF2131]][1] I am sure this piece
22 July 2026
Gnosall
NB Harnser
Bit of a slow day today, too many old friends, Last night that well known boater Bones called in to say hello, not seen her for about 5 years then this morning we stopped to chat with Jerry and Muriel,we
Coventry Canal - Atherstone to Mancetter
NB Huffler
Well after rushing to get here we can now relax. Relax ? Brass needs cleaning, temperatures have dropped some and its nice English weather now. The chimney needs repainting and the Buckby Can needs a bit of a touch up
21 July 2026
Tyrley Top Lock
NB Harnser
Just as we were off to bed last night the moon was almost setting and just visible above the hedgerow across the canal.[[IMG_20260720_224836]][1] For some reason we set off at nine AM this morning and it worked well, We met
Repaint Week 5 W/C 13th July
NB Oleanna
*Redhill Marina / Scarboreugh* **It could be fuller, but at least it’s a start** We’d been in touch with Tom last week hoping that we’d be able to take a load of things down to the boat, a hire van
20 July 2026
Coxbank
NB Harnser
Last night we had some lovely sky’s with the clouds reflecting on the canal. These were taken around 10 o’clock, the second on on my phone.[[DSCF2092]][1][[IMG_20260719_222355]][2] What a day, we were about to set off with a nice clear canal