Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
30 August 2026
Home Moorings
NB Harnser
Well bit of a disaster and a change of plans. Yesterday evening I was sitting watching TV and Diana was just completing cooking dinner when the screen went blank and the induction hob fan fell silent. First thought the invertor
Repaint Week 11. W/C 24th August
NB Oleanna
*Redhill Marina / Scarboreugh* No news from Redhill this week. The way Tom had written his message last Sunday suggested that he was unlikely to be about, maybe he and his family had headed off on holiday before the schools
29 August 2026
Newbold
NB Harnser
I checked the water level at the Sutton Stop lock bywash yesterday and it looked to be down by about ───────────────┬─────────────── [[DSCF2279]][1]│[[DSCF2280]][2] ───────────────┴─────────────── 80mm. so far today we have had 50mm of rain added to it, so looking quite good.
From drought to escaping the flood in one (sl…ow) move
Pickingupducks
Having waved a fond farewell to wonderful friends from France with whom we’ve had an awesome week, I was just debating what to have for lunch (and as is my wont when I’ve been talking French all the time, debating
28 August 2026
Hawkesbury Junction N Oxford canal
NB Harnser
This was our mooring for last night, once tied up[[IMG_20260828_093834]][1] Diana visited Gorety Portuguese shop for cakes and some lovely rice pudding and then Rudens Latvians store for pickled fish. We were a bit hesitant about going out to eat
27 August 2026
Coventry Basin
NB Harnser
Only very light rain overnight but it kicked off this morning before we were up with thunder and a very heavy shower that then changed to steady rain. We were in no hurry and the app indicated it would stop
26 August 2026
Hawkesbury Junction
NB Harnser
When we got up this morning there were a few spots of rain on the deck, but nothing like forecast. We were a bit later getting away this morning saying goodbye to the pile of fly tipping at about quarter
25 August 2026
All Oaks Woods mooring.
NB Harnser
Well a few more boats arrived behind us last night so about 9am this morning we moved down to the lock moorings to wait for the flight to open. Its surprising with the canal level lower there is no cross
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
The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 5
The Sumpners Afloat
**Week 5 – August 17th –** ** 23rd** – **Mecklenberg Lakes and the Baltic coast** **Day 27 – Monday** – these Monday mornings – they come round too quickly as they mean Paul is back at his desk. I reckon
Crossing the rubicon
NB Percy
We brought Percy in 2012... she was 20 years old then and had been lovingly looked after by the builder and owners Tony and Gill Redshaw. The paint was looking a bit tired into our early years of ownership so
24 August 2026
Grand Union Canal to br 100 South Oxford
NB Huffler
Now it is time 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
Hillmorton top lock
NB Harnser
We didn’t really plan to visit this week, only decided yesterday so had to come via Rugby to stock up with provisions on the way to the marina. Once we were unpacked and eaten lunch we plodded off out of
23 August 2026
Repaint Week 10. W/C 17th August
NB Oleanna
*Redhill Marina / Scarboreugh!* Another week. **Deserted beaches now the temperature has dropped** Monday we sent a message asking when it might be possible to start moving things back on board, would this be the week it would happen? Don’t
22 August 2026
Community which I like
NB Percy
Ok so the last post was a bit negative, just how I was feeling but the C&RT sentiment is baked in. In contrast we have been on the moorings here for a while now and its nice to feel part
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, /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
The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 4
The Sumpners Afloat
**Week 4 – August 10th –** **16th** – **Lower Saxony** **Day 21 – Monday** – Once again we stayed put as Paul likes to keep Monday clear for work – especially as he does not work on Fridays. Stuff to
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
The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 3
The Sumpners Afloat
**Week 3 – August 3rd to 9th –** **Bavaria** **and beyond** **Day 14 – MONDAY** – Well it has been extremely hot over the last couple of days. We stayed stationery today as Paul was working. Monday is always a
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.
The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 2
The Sumpners Afloat
**Week 2 – July 28th to August 2nd – Getting schlossed!** **Day 8 –** **TUESDAY **– We had a leisurely start because we essentially had a whole day to kill. Lenny’s flight was not until the evening and we had
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
The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 1
The Sumpners Afloat
**Week 1 – July 21st to 28th** – **setting off and arriving in Europe** **DAY 1 – TUESDAY** – We awoke early on Tuesday morning, eager to get away. Unfortunately something had broken on the cassette toilet and we needed
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