Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
4 May 2026
April, Ticking Away. 30th April
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* The last day of April! **Looking over Scarborough** Well, where do I start? I believe I last signed off saying that hopefully next time I posted I’d be talking about Oleanna’s repaint. Well, I will be,
3 May 2026
Rugeley
NB Harnser
I must say I did enjoy boating this summer, now its back to 14°C and 12mm of rain overnight. I now have the stove on and its 26°C in here and 14 out. When we left at 10am I think
We cross into Namibia
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 1^{st} Last night's Braai was cooked by team 1, Kathy, Helen, Annette and Tracy. They fed us burgers, sausages, jacket spuds and salad stuff, and there was even a huge bowl of grated cheese. Gosh someones arm must have
Nancy (revisiting a winter project)
NB Chalkhill Blue
Tuesday 28 April Firstly, thanks to all the heart warming comments and feedback on the first update of the season: Karen and I had fun trying to guess who was behind all the anonymous ones! It was another glorious morning
2 May 2026
Fradley Junction
NB Harnser
For some reason we even slept late for us and that takes some doing. The smoke alarm in the bedroom had the decency to wait until half nine to tell me its battery needed changing rather than wake us earlier.
A trip through the Standedge tunnel
NB Jannock
Graham has always wanted to go through Standedge tunnel on the Huddersfield narrow canal but we never made it there whilst we had Jannock. Investigation showed that CaRT and it's trusty volunteers run a through trip boat once a month.
A rare African Owl
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 30th Today was a free day; we could do what we wanted, and although I suppose we should have relaxed and just chilled out, this was not something us Jameisons could do. On offer was a cruise along the
May madness
Pickingupducks
May – a month of promise, of blossom and new beginnings and for us, the distinct possibility of embarking on a voyage to unknown waters where we could very well get lost. New beginnings “*Not to have passed this way
1 May 2026
Fazeley Junction
NB Harnser
Away around ten this morning,the first hop wasn’t far just to the services for water and dump rubbish. Just beyond the bridge ahead of us are a row of moored boats, the first moored on the approach to the bridge
Oops done for speeding
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 29th I'm wondering what will top yesterday's safari. We do have another one arranged at Chobe National Park, but that is at a later date. I'm hoping that will be the chance to see the Leopard! Today was to
30 April 2026
There's a lot of travel stuff to catch you up on, but ...
NB Wakahuia
In the last week I have just been diagnosed with neuropathy and it bloody hurts! I've had the numbness in my feet for a while but thought it was plantar fasciitis. Stabbing pains in the metatarsals have set in and
Bottom Atherstone flight
NB Harnser
Last night we ate in The Anchor and I think its probably the best pub meal we have ever had, the beef was so tender that the knife slipped straight through it.[[DSCF1487a]][1] We were moored back by the old railway
Breakfast with the elephants
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 28th An exciting day ahead of us as today we were off on safari again. Pick up time was 6 am, total travel time to the game park was an hour and 40 minutes, probably why we had to
29 April 2026
Anchor bridge
NB Harnser
Well after the cold miserable morning yesterday, this morning it was well into double figures before we set off and hit a high of 21° this afternoon. We hadn’t gone a ¼ of a mile before I was in the
10 tips to improve your tacking in sailing
Insure4Boats
Tacking is one of the most important manoeuvres in sailing. Whether you’re cruising along the coast or racing competitively, tacking allows you to move efficiently against the wind and maintain control of your boat. In this guide, we detail how
The 10 best sailing books for avid boaters
Insure4Boats
Reading a great sailing book can be just as rewarding as sailing in perfect weather conditions. Whether you’re planning a long offshore adventure, hoping to improve your sailing skills, or dreaming of your next voyage, the right books can educate,
A complete guide to the UK canal network
Insure4Boats
If you’re a [narrowboater][1], you don’t need reminding how fantastic the UK canal system is. With around 4,700 miles of navigable canals in the UK, routes are aplenty, and the scenery is magnificent. But perhaps the only thing more magnificent
Kayaking and fishing: A beginner's guide
Insure4Boats
Whether you love kayaking, enjoy fishing, or are new to both and want to try something new, kayak fishing is a great way to combine these two popular pastimes. In this complete guide to kayak fishing, we share what kayak
28 April 2026
Coombes Field Farm, Brinklow
NB Harnser
Well it was still raining when we went to bed and we had over ¼” in total. This morning was over cast and cold, only 8°C when we set off just after 10am. The boat we saw yesterday towing a
Severe Potholes ahead!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 27th Today we head for Crocodile camp, the distance is over 350km. Several of the group had paid for a small aeroplane flight over the delta, so they had to leave early to make the deadline of 4.30pm. Not
Bauzemont (feeling at home already)
NB Chalkhill Blue
Friday 24 April If you’re reading this then you probably know that we’re back on the boat at Port Sainte-Marie. Due to other commitments it’s been the longest we’ve ever left her, so we were a little concerned what state
27 April 2026
Brownsover
NB Harnser
We set off from home about 10 am in bright sun shine that continued all the way to the mooring with the temperature hitting 22°C. [[IMG_20260427_131906]][1] We stopped for lunch in Crick at the Wheatsheaf, we decide to have the
Ooh, what did we find in the drawer of the hotel!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 26th Look, please don't think this holiday is just one disaster after another; it's not. We have to realise that Africa is a completely different continent from Europe, and therefore, the laws over here are not the same. So
Another road closure with tragic results
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 25th This holiday has been full of drama, and today was no exception. We left the campsite to fill up at the petrol station before setting off towards Francistown, a journey of approximately 200km. Whilst at the filling station,
And We’re Off!
The Sumpners Afloat
**17th April – Summer Cruise 2026 is go!** It genuinely seemed like an eternity since we had last been out – it was in fact at the tail end of 2025, post Christmas ,with my brother Bruce. As we slipped
26 April 2026
So glad we fitted in here.
NB What A Lark
Off this morning to Alrewas. David and myself have been practicing pronouncing Alrewas. A local told us to lose the R, and yet others heavily pronounce the R. It's a real tongue twister. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Pink Footed Geese, perfectly acceptable to
We cross the border
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 24^{th} It was another day of all travelling together because today we would cross the border into Botswana, and Kobus wanted to make sure none of us had any issues. 8 am was the departure time, and we left
25 April 2026
Fine Company and a tractor.
NB What A Lark
We spent a night on this mooring miles from anywhere, I have to say to any would be Boaters that the railway line is very close, as it is we slept absolutely fine, but we are both a bit deaf.
To there and back again.
NB What A Lark
We only stayed the one night in Willington, I had written a note to my mother so as I walked down into the village to post it I took my life in my hands crossing several roads, it's on a
Going cuckoo in the sun
Pickingupducks
It has been perfect weather for messing about in boats, but if you don’t have a boat as I haven’t this week being off house sitting, walking the canal towpaths is almost the next best thing. Ssswimming sssslowly Boatdog, swans,
24 April 2026
A road closure was not good news
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 23rd First decent night's sleep, no rain, just high winds which didn't bother us at all. No rocking and rolling, we were very sheltered, so both of us awoke refreshed. No early start, we could leave when ready as
23 April 2026
The first real rainy day and we visit a wildlife rehabilitation center.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
March is usually the end of the rainy season here at Kruger, but it can extend into April, and boy, extend it did! All last night the rain was at biblical proportions, with thunder and lightning to add to our
Ashby Canal to Braunston
NB Huffler
We are now en route back to Braunston. This 3 weeks has been an amazing success. When we left home both of us were recovering from heart ops. We did wonder how we would fare on the boat. Took it
22 April 2026
A Leopard in a tree...Could I find it?
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 21st Me and my big mouth. I wanted a thunderstorm and that's what we got, but at 1 am we both could have wished it further! And the rain...torrential, extremely loud on the motorhome roof and the most annoying
A swan, a wolf and an expresso martini.
NB What A Lark
In the morning, not early, we are on holiday after all, off we set towards Willington, but immediately having Burton-on-Trent to get through. I remember when we came through for only the second time in 14 years a year or
21 April 2026
Off for a proper safari
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 20th Gosh, a slight lie-in, didn't have to be at the meeting point until 6.45 am! Today we were off to do a proper safari, with a 4X4 and a guide who knew the park like the back of
20 April 2026
Krugger National Park
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 19th These early starts are starting to have an effect; we are both feeling a bit frazzled. The alarm went off at 5 am, cos we had to leave the site by 6 am. The reason was to hopefully
19 April 2026
Yep...all but us stuck in the mud!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 18th Oh, what fun was had this morning. It was I dreaded, too soft a ground and the wrong tyres meant those vans that had decided not to move last night (us included) had the wheels spinning as they
Electrika 2026 – 3 months away!
The Sumpners Afloat
This is the third year of Electrika, the UK’s only dedicated boat show for electric narrowboats, that we organise in our spare time. Originally the brainchild of [Ortomarine][1], and in association with [Aqua Vista Watersides and Marinas][2] who have kindly
18 April 2026
Convoy and potholes
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 17th Really early start this morning. Breakfast was served at 6 am, we were the first in, so one would expect everything to be piping hot! But no, the chefs must have started cooking hours before because everything (scrambled
I've not been called too posh before.... have you?
NB What A Lark
I set off walking the next morning. I'd left David to untie the ropes alone meaning to be ahead of him to set the lock. This first lock into Alrewas is an absolute brute, when I arrived one bottom gate
Short cruise and a leisurely afternoon
NB What A Lark
I'm going to gather a few days together as we have done ridiculously little. We left the mooring a bit late in the morning, but the volunteers had arrived at about 9am. Three on duty, so those locks were a
discover.narrow.boat
Pickingupducks
Where are we??? As boaters, like all the emergency services as well as those who need their help, we have a lot to thank musicians who got lost when trying to find far flung venues or gigs. If you’ve ever
17 April 2026
To Rugeley and beyond!
NB What A Lark
We'd rather squashed ourselves in last night in a big space but right next to a winding hole and on a bend. We both paced it out for size for a 70' boat to turn and after a bit of
16 April 2026
Still in Johannesburg day 2
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 16th Had a bit of a session last night, getting to know our fellow travellers, quite a few drinks were consumed. Didn't stop us falling asleep as soon as heads hit the pillows, although I did have a bit
Ashby Canal br 22 to Lime Kiln ph at br 15
NB Huffler
The weather is certainly not inviting us to move. Rain is forecast and we do not DO rain !. So we set off and see how we go. well the Cowslips like it here - never seen so many we
Day 1 South Africa
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 15th I know it costs a bit extra, but going into an airport lounge is the best way, in my opinion, to wait for the flight. Drinks and food are all complimentary, and best of all, away from the
15 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Br 38 to Br 22 near Stoke Golding.
NB Huffler
Setting off the weather was dull, but it was not as cold as yesterday. We soon approach where the dredging is being carried out. Big heavy boats Not the best of places to moor breasted up, on a bend and
Boat electrical wiring and diagrams explained
Insure4Boats
Understanding boat electrical wiring diagrams is essential if you're a hands-on boater and love a good DIY challenge. Whether you're kitting out a brand-new vessel or fixing up a small fishing boat, a good understanding of your boat's wiring system
14 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Market Bosworth to Snarestone
NB Huffler
we woke up to another nice day, but with a cold wind it was quite chilly. We really should have stopped and read the notice board. Sadly there was nowhere suitable to stop. In hindsight he could have stopped under