OnTheCut

Welsh waters: Day 15

NB Briar Rose

The strong winds arrived right on cue at about 8 o’clock last night, but seemed to calm down a bit overnight. We’d feared having trouble sleeping (recalling the terrible night we had in the storm [at Salford Quays a few

A Pawfect Boat Guest. 12th September

NB Oleanna

*Lowes Bridge 15* A quick sweep through and tidy up this morning before logging into a production meeting for panto. Roses, frames, lists, all sorts were discussed, if anyone knows a drummer who’d like to be in Chippy over Christmas

Welsh waters: Day 14

NB Briar Rose

With a forecast that said rain from late morning and strong winds from this evening, we thought we’d be best to get going sharpish today — so we were pulling away from our mooring at 8.30 in dry conditions without

Grand Union Canal - Braunston to Bridge 100 on the South Oxford Canal

NB Huffler

This morning the weather is still holding so we are going to reverse back to marina main entrance, turn, fill with water and head off out into the countryside near br 100 on the South Oxford canal We know we

Dashing. 11th September

NB Oleanna

*Lowes Bridge 15* Tilly requested to go out this morning, before any shore leave was to be granted we got her to walk up and down the boat to see how that limp was doing. Heading towards the stern and

China Chronicles Part Six: Tales from the Great Wall of China

NB Areandare

Welsh waters: Day 13

NB Briar Rose

There was a lot of rain overnight, but it was pretty bright this morning when we set off at about 9 — past The Navigation, where we had an excellent dinner last night. Adrian had the lamb shank and I

North Oxford Canal Dunchurch Pools to Braunston

NB Huffler

So early to bed last night after a very long day. This morning it's very odd as we are moored outside of the marina. Not ready to go in yet. Tony still has the roof to paint. The weather holds

Put Your Paws Up. 10th September

NB Oleanna

*Lowes Bridge 15* Limp Limp Limp. ***I’m fine, really, I’m fine. You have to let me out.*** No we don’t! It was suggested to Tilly that she should take the weight off her paws today and put them up. Gentle

Free food and well-being

Pickingupducks

There is little as rewarding for mind and body as a foraging stroll, ideally for me with a dog, along towpath hedgerows. Crab apples This year despite the drought, many fruits are early and so plentiful boughs are groaning under

And the solar panels are up

NB Wakahuia

Yesterday the solar guys came back - only 3 of them this time. And boy, did they work hard! They'd been here on Monday and Tuesday - rain on Tuesday but they worked through. Yesterday they had to finish putting

Welsh waters: Day 12

NB Briar Rose

Another day of sunshine and showers, and shortly after we set off at about 8.15 there was a very vivid example of what happens when you get both together. We arrived at Frankton Junction less than half an hour later,

How to use our maps

NB Floydtilla

Our maps are designed to help you find the things you need on the UK Canal & River network. We don’t maps locks, bridges etc, but we do map things like Pump Out & Elsan Stations, Marina and Moorings, Pubs,

Hoop La

NB Herbie

The best ideas are always stolen. Adam has given me food for thought about shedding rain off the rear deck tonneau cover we plan to make. Thanks Adam. Of course he knows more than most of us about narrowboat designs,

Legs. 9th September

NB Oleanna

*Mercia Marina to Lowes Bridge 15* An hours shore leave before we pushed off this morning. I’ve been having difficulty accessing documents in the Chippy shared folder for panto, so some emails needed to be sent about it so I

Grand Union Canal - Croxley Green to Dunchurch Pools, North Oxford canal

NB Huffler

Up at 5.30am. Transport lorry booked for 8.30am. Lift back in at Dunchurch pools on the North Oxford Canal some 70 miles away, around 1pm. That's the plan .... does any thing ever go according to plan ? Still got

Welsh waters: Day 11

NB Briar Rose

Ir wasn’t supposed to rain until about 11 today, but when we woke up it was already coming down — although with bright sunshine at the same time. We walked up to Tesco, as we’d found we had more room

Yet another knee update

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

11th September The physio did phone back last Monday afternoon and seemed totally unconcerned about my fears. She ruled out nerve damage, that is very rare apparently, and said it was all to do with the muscles healing. She mentioned

Just A New Pair Of Glasses. 8th September

NB Oleanna

*Near Mercia Marina* **Crossing Scarborough Bridge in York** Mick was up and off very early this morning heading to Willington Station to catch trains up to Scarborough. Going with him to the hospital last week had been reassuring to me,

Welsh waters: Day 10

NB Briar Rose

It was unexpectedly sunny first thing, so after breakfast we went for a walk while the going was good. From further down the towpath we took a path which led uphill and through woodland. It came out eventually opposite the

Grand Designs mark II

NB Herbie

Sometimes it takes two goes to get something right. Just ask Spacex! Three years ago we made a rain cover for Herbie's side hatch doors. Here it is: Good quality waterproof fabric with the cunning ruse of sewing magnets into

Grand Union Canal - Lot Mead Lock to Bridgewater Basin Watford.

NB Huffler

Only 1 lock now to our lift out destination at P&S Marine at Watford. Spent a couple of days here with our travel partners on Moksha and their 3 beautiful cats. This one is the star, and she knows it

Susie Sunday. 7th September

NB Oleanna

*Willington Visitor Mooring to half a mile onwards* Mick’s sisters were otherwise engaged this morning, conferences, giving speeches, looking round churches with American friends or sleeping, so there was no Geraghty zoom. It turned out to be just as well

Welsh waters: Day 9

NB Briar Rose

Another sunny morning, but it’s been a bit breezy. We made another dent in the washing pile before setting off, and got under way about 9. The first section seems quite slow because of the number of moored boats, but

Two Faced. 6th September

NB Oleanna

*Coach and Horses Bridge 25 to Willington Visitor Moorings* Shore leave whilst we had breakfast, then when Tilly came home the rear hatch was closed, we wanted to be moving on into Willington today. We could leave the chap and

Grand Union Canal - Norwood bottom to just above Copper Mill lock

NB Huffler

Off to Bulls Bridge and probably moor near Harefield. I feel almost normal today so obviously the meds doing their job. We are on schedule for out date at Croxley Green on 10th September. Entering Norwood top lock Rising in

Welsh waters: Day 8

NB Briar Rose

This was another day when we seemed to get our timings right. We got a wash load going before setting off, and untied at a little after 9.15. It was a lovely sunny morning. A couple of bridges further on

Thinking about Ed Shiers today

NB Wakahuia

We are currently having solar panels fitted to the roof of our villa - 15 panels which is slightly more than we had on nb Waka Huia... Instead of it being just Ed fitting them, here we have a crew

Oh Oh Severn

The Sumpners Afloat

**1st to 7th September – Upton upon Severn to Droitwich** **Spa Marina** I hope I didn’t offend anyone by my rather extreme view of the Severn? It’s just for fun! Mostly….. It was nice to see some commercial shipping on

Knee update

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Oh dear, I have been very lax in keeping up to date with the blog. It was a harsh, gentle reminder from Marilyn asking what was happening that spurred me on to do one! So here goes.... this was my

Rubbish Route. 5th September

NB Oleanna

*Coach and Horses Bridge 25* With quite a bit of rubbish accumulated on board we decided to have a walk into Willington together. Mick is aiming to do more exercise, I slowed my pace, we still managed to do 21

Welsh waters: Day 7

NB Briar Rose

We had a lovely evening with Helen and Andy last night, and Whitchurch turns out to be a good place for a visit. The roads leading here are pretty good, and there’s a little canal and country park car park

China Chronicles Part Five: Lakes, Temples, and Tuk-Tuk Troubles in Beijing

NB Areandare

Grand Union Canal - above Copper Mill lock to - above Lot Mead Lock

NB Huffler

No shortage of water here on the lower GU. A fuel boat was moored on the lock moorings, painting his boat. He should know better! 2 cygnets watch as we exit the lock A moring available at Tesco's at Batchworth.

Shuffling Through X-Ray. 4th September

NB Oleanna

*Clay Mill Aqueduct to Coach and Horses Bridge 25* Should I go with Mick to the hospital this morning? He seems okay, but is he really?! He isn’t bumping into things. I questioned myself, would I be better off doing

Grand Union Canal Brentford to Norwood bottom lock

NB Huffler

Today I am almost 75% better and able to cope with the flight from Brentford to Norwood where we hope to moor just before Norwood bottom lock on the park . Sadly not able to work boat and take pics.

Welsh waters: Day 6

NB Briar Rose

Today had turned into a non moving day (thanks to some discussions last evening — of which more later) so we were in no rush this morning. After breakfast we made a trip to Aldi for shopping - walking along

River Thames Kingson to Brentford

NB Huffler

Waking up this morning I am beginning to feel a little better so hoping for the best. It's never really clear what time you should arrive at Teddington for Brentford. They sent us out with boats going to Limehouse. 1

All’s Well. 3rd September

NB Oleanna

*Shobnall Fields to Clay Mills Aqueduct* **About to wind** Tilly was allowed some shore leave this morning whilst we had a slow start. All of a sudden our phones were ringing, an old friend checking on us and a change

By narrowboat to America for world guidance

Pickingupducks

Travelling to the United States of America by narrowboat is not something I ever thought we would be able to do, but this summer, we did just that. We travelled down the River Thames to the Berkshire/Surrey border, moored our

River Thames -Windsor to Kingston

NB Huffler

So time to turn and make our way down to Teddington. There is a replica Hawker Hurricane aircraft here to commemorate its designer, Sir Sydney Camm, a Windsor resident So after a relaxing couple of days it was time to

Welsh waters: Day 5

NB Briar Rose

After all the rain yesterday, today was totally different as we woke to bright sunshine. We got some washing going after breakfast, and set off a bit before 9. The first three locks are all individual ones. We never seem

Welsh waters: Day 4

NB Briar Rose

With heavy rain forecast from around 11, we got ourselves under way in good time, with Wrenbury church clock just striking 8.30. Adrian walked down and wound up the first bridge. He then walked on to the electric lift bridge

Welsh waters: Day 3

NB Briar Rose

We really liked the Baddiley moorings: quiet, dark, and we were on our own. There was rain last night and it was pretty miserable-looking when we got up — but as it wasn’t actually raining we decided to do a

It's been a long time coming

NB Wakahuia

I often think, as things are occurring, 'I could write a post about this.' And then the moment passes and I don't write about it. I am doing a fair bit of writing though, just not for the blog. Back

Welsh waters: Day 2

NB Briar Rose

We thought we might look out for the northern lights as we went to bed last night, but it was unexpectedly chucking it down, so no chance of seeing anything. This morning was a beautiful one, still and sunny. I

Welsh waters: Day 1

NB Briar Rose

We are going to head up to Llangollen, as we haven’t been all the way to the end this year, and it’s one of the few places still left open to us! But it looks as though we’ll take our

Is a shiny roof a good thing?

NB Herbie

Is a glossy boat roof a bad thing because of the sun's reflections dazzling the helmsman? I'd be glad if anyone can enlighten me. We've always gone for a matt or satin surface, mostly raddle, but I have a suspicion

Thank You for Being a Friend

The Sumpners Afloat

**25th to 31st August to – Chadbury (R. Avon) to Upton upon Severn (R. Severn)** August Bank Holiday Monday was forecast to be hot, and as soon as we got up we knew the forecast was correct. This was in

New Cooking Gadget for the boat – Monsieur Cuisine smart

NB Floydtilla

New in Lidl is the Monsieur Cuisine smart, which is a cheap Lidl version of the Vorwerk Thermomix TM6, which at around £1600 is well outside my budget, the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine smart comes in at £299 reduced from £399