Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
14 December 2025
How many times can FS get stuck and who Is that at the end of the tunnel?
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Dec 14th This morning we decided to do the rest of the Stoke Bruerne flight. The water levels in the long pound had stayed very low, which caused FS to tilt slightly during our stay. FS just needed a good
13 December 2025
Coming, going and an invitation for you
Pickingupducks
It’s been looking a lot like Christmas this week. The on/off flood situation continues and water remains an issue both around and in the boat. And Christmas is edging nearer. Last weekend saw our annual four generational family meal, which
12 December 2025
A Magic Roundabout find.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Dec 12th I'm losing track of time, could it be put down to the brain not functioning properly due to old age? Or just because one lazy day runs into another with only the TV to keep one occupied. I'm
10 December 2025
At 10:32. 9th December
NB Oleanna
Back in April or was it May, we were looking for somewhere we might be able to moor up for several weeks whilst Mick headed back to Scarborough to oversee the building work going on at the house, waiting for
5 Years of Old Nick
The Sumpners Afloat
Where did that time go? Five glorious years on board Old Nick. We thought it was worth summarising our time aboard for posterity. I’ll start with just a quick run through of where we have been in our 5 years
8 December 2025
Boat rudders: Types and how they work
Insure4Boats
Boat rudders are an essential part of a vessel’s steering system and help you move left and right while out on the water. In this guide, we’ll look at how you use a rudder, the difference between a tiller and
7 December 2025
Don’t know what happened there! 7th December 2025
NB Oleanna
Those of you who subscribe to our blog by email will have received an email this morning, supposedly from us, regarding betting in Argentina. The IT department (Mick) are looking into this. A blog post had been posted by an
6 December 2025
Making very slow progress.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
December 6th On the 26th November, we left the Peartree marina. Wind was still an issue and trying to get away from the pontoon definitely a bit of a B. Ian was at the bow with the pole to help
Panto not pants living and working afloat in winter (Oh yes it is!)
Pickingupducks
*Oh yes it has, oh no it hasn’t,* been one of those weeks! Seems appropriate as Christmas and panto season is arriving with alarming alacrity. Having cancelled our floating trading licence after the weather conspired against me continuously in 2023-4,
2 December 2025
5th Time Lucky. 27th November 2025
NB Oleanna
Regular readers will know that I (Mick) have made a few visits to the marina recently to get Oleanna properly winterised. In recent winters we have done fairly basic procedures before leaving the boat for a few months, moored in
1 December 2025
Accessible Moorings/Access Map
NB Floydtilla
While in Birmingham this year we noticed a couple of Accessible Moorings Signs, so started the project to find as many as possible and to produce a map specifically to make them easy to find and also add them to
29 November 2025
Some final stats
NB Briar Rose
After a long cruise I normally do a post with some stats for the trip, so I thought it would be nice to do some stats for the whole of our ownership of Briar Rose. We took ownership on 30
Soar-ing deep, high and demanding
Pickingupducks
In one of his 43 poems – yes, 43 – about the life of a river, Ted Hughes observes: > The winter floods have ruined her. > > She squats between draggled banks, fingering her rags > > and rubbish.”
28 November 2025
Passing on Briar Rose to her new owners
NB Briar Rose
We were up early this morning and drove down to Kings Orchard for a final visit to Briar Rose. We arrived at about 9.30, and immediately set to loading our remaining possessions into the car. Then we spent an hour
Five Years on a Narrowboat – Gnosall to Market Drayton
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
Having lived on a narrowboat for 5 years, do we still enjoy it? Watch this week’s video and see why we do love this lifestyle so much. We cruise from Gnosall and stop at the Anchor Inn, we are treated
27 November 2025
Long catchup
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
It's been quite a while since my last post, realised I have been very lax on doing this blog, and because it's been so long, have had trouble trying to remember what happened since the end of October. All I
26 November 2025
Panto Postcard 4, 2025
NB Oleanna
*57.25 hours* **Improved roses on the barrow** Monday morning we needed to attempt to catch up on ourselves and finish the technical rehearsal. The actors warmed up away from the stage giving the tech team some time to do more
25 November 2025
In praise of tillers
NB Herbie
The lovely Adam and Adrian, whom many of you will know, pick up their beautiful brand new boat from Braidbar today, and watching a video tour of it I was amused to see that in spite of the boat being
Prop damage: Repair and prevention tips
Insure4Boats
A damaged boat propeller can cause all sorts of issues while out on the water. Knowing how to prevent prop damage and repair minor dings can reduce the likelihood of these problems occurring. Here, we share how to tell when
24 November 2025
Kingley Vale handover day
NB Briar Rose
Today was the day we took over our new boat, Kingley Vale. There is a full report on the [KV blog][1], so add that to your reading list! [1]: https://nbkv.co.uk/the-long-awaited-handover-day/
23 November 2025
A car full
NB Briar Rose
Lots more heavy rain overnight, but fortunately it had stopped by this morning and was quite nice. After breakfast we started packing proper — and began to realise that we had perhaps underestimated how much stuff was stashed away in
Panto Postcard 3, 2025
NB Oleanna
*68 hours* **Finn, the old silver back cat of Hackney** A bit of a lie in compared to recent times. A cuppa in bed and then it was time to firstly say goodbye to Mick who was on a booked
22 November 2025
Packing
NB Briar Rose
Heavy rain overnight and more this morning, but it’s quite a bit warmer. I think I’d rather have it cold and clear (except that we still need rain…) This morning we started pack and cleaning, so now the saloon shelves
Unexpected celebrity status plus unscheduled drama
Pickingupducks
For the first time the passage of our 50ft floating home (plus office,studio, and workshop) along inland waterways in sub zero temperatures made a man dash out onto his balcony in just his dressing gown to see us. Despite his
21 November 2025
We’re Building a New Narrowboat – Visiting the Czech Factory
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
Our Brand New Narrowboat build with Elton Moss and Ortomarine has started and we fly over to the Czech Republic to see the progress of the build and speak to Rob & Caroline from Ortomarine and Artie from Elton Moss.
Frosty
NB Briar Rose
As forecast, we had another cold night and it was very frosty this morning. But it was also sunny, and as I wanted to do some research for a magazine article, we walked down the canal to Whittington. Everything was
20 November 2025
Sutton Park and The Royal
NB Briar Rose
We’re at the stage where we’re ready to pack — but don’t need to yet! We haven’t got room for boxes of stuff, and if we can live normally rather than in chaos for a couple more days, then so
19 November 2025
Insurance and mile stones
NB Briar Rose
It was cold this morning, although the forecast sleet didn’t materialise. We took a car-load of stuff to the recycling centre in Lichfield, and then carried on into town for a Tesco shop. Back at the boat, Adrian followed up
Boat ramping etiquette and launch guide
Insure4Boats
Boat ramping comes with many rules, some of which are unspoken. This can make the process daunting if you don’t have extensive experience launching your boat using a ramp. In this guide, we share 10 boat ramping etiquette tips, along
Canal open!! plus the report of the commission looking into boat licencing and mooring
NB Herbie
I was quite surprised to receive the notice that the long term water shortage closures on the South Oxford have now been lifted. Some recent photos still showed the reservoir levels on the summit to be very low, although another
New Main Line, heading out of Birmingham
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
New Main Line from Birmingham to Smethwick 1963 November 2025 Its a bit tricky to define the area heading out of Birmingham towards Smethwick and Tipton, but its a stretch of canal which is rich on history. H E Evans
New Main Line, heading out of Birmingham
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
New Main Line from Birmingham to Smethwick 1963 November 2025 Its a bit tricky to define the area heading out of Birmingham towards Smethwick and Tipton, but its a stretch of canal which is rich on history. H E Evans
18 November 2025
Moving prep — and dinner out
NB Briar Rose
We’ve started preparing for the move from this boat to the new one, and the first jobs included having a turn out of stuff we don’t need. Some stuff could go in the bins here, but we’ve also got some
17 November 2025
A week away
NB Briar Rose
We’re back on board after a week down south. We left last Tuesday and headed for Kent; I caught a train to London to go to a leaving do, while Adrian went to his aunt and uncle’s. We then stayed
16 November 2025
Characters of the BCN
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
Characters of the BCN In my enthusiasm to track down the locations of the BCN I realise I often overlook the faces which used to be seen around the regions canals I have a terrible memory for names so this
Characters of the BCN
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
Characters of the BCN In my enthusiasm to track down the locations of the BCN I realise I often overlook the faces which used to be seen around the regions canals I have a terrible memory for names so this
Tame Valley Canal
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
Tame Valley Canal November 2015 The 8.5 mile Tame Valley Canal was a late addition to the region's canal scape, built in 1844 partly to offer a bypass round the congested city centre route to the Black Country, and partly
Tame Valley Canal
Captain Ahab's Watery Tales
Tame Valley Canal November 2015 The 8.5 mile Tame Valley Canal was a late addition to the region's canal scape, built in 1844 partly to offer a bypass round the congested city centre route to the Black Country, and partly
The Wigan 21. 7th November 2025
NB Oleanna
My friend Chris on NB Elektra, otherwise known as The Pink Hat Man, had been moored in Wigan near the bottom of the Wigan 21 flight of locks. He wanted to be at the top so he could continue his
15 November 2025
H2 Oh!
Pickingupducks
Water – essential, but not the same for everyone or everywhere. For everyone water is vital to keep us alive, to keep our bodies going, to make us and the plants and animals we depend on, growing. For us as
14 November 2025
This Tiny Narrowboat Workshop Will Amaze You
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
We take you inside our friend’s butty, a small boat attached to a narrowboat and inside we find a workshop belonging to Pete, a canal trader who takes old lumps of wood found near the canal and turns them into
Panto Postcard 2, 2025
NB Oleanna
*76 hours* **Stalls at the ready** Monday morning, I was back to it. Today publicity photos were going to be taken. I spent the morning sorting out dressing for the market scene. Lettering on banners, cheeses galore and plenty of
13 November 2025
November 2025 – Some Canal Map Location Numbers
NB Floydtilla
Having check our database of locations we have a little bit of work sorting some anomalies that have arisen over the past couple of years, but for the moment this gives a guide to what we have done so far.
10 November 2025
Home Mooring
NB Harnser
A rough old night and woke to the rain several times but this morning was calm and clear so we set off a few minutes earlier than normal, reversing back to the junction and going round the triangle, rather than
Whittington
NB Briar Rose
Lots more rain overnight but this morning was surprisingly sunny. We thought we’d better make the most of it so walked down the canal to Whittington, leaving the towpath at the first bridge, Bridge 80. After you’ve walked past all
9 November 2025
Braunston
NB Harnser
It turned quite cool overnight compared to what we have been experiencing recently, down to about 6°C and this morning felt decidedly chilly out on deck, The still morning soon changed to a breezy one making it less pleasant in
Lord Vernon’s Sudbury Hall
NB Briar Rose
The forecast said this morning would be better than this afternoon, so we headed off in the car to the National Trust property, Sudbury Hall. The estate was owned by the Vernon family — and they also owned coal mines
8 November 2025
Fizz and cake
NB Briar Rose
Quite a nice sunny day this morning, and while Adrian had a call to do, I went to do my steps along the towpath. He then joined me to do a few more. This afternoon, we drove down to the
Hillmorton Top Lock
NB Harnser
We were away a little after 10 on yet another warm, sunny morning. I wasn’t 100% happy with the new weed hatch seal I fitted yesterday as I couldn’t get the top plate as clean as I would have liked,
Past present and perfect
Pickingupducks
History isn’t something in the past if you live on the waterways. It is part of the present, entwined in daily life, in constant reminders, as we walk on and in the very footsteps of the past worn into stones