Blogs

Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.

25 September 2024

Trent and Mersey Canal:Stone

NB Nuggler

A short day today. Just a couple of hours and 7 locks brought us to a nice mooring at Stone. The broken ground paddle at the top of the Medford Locks had been fixed so the lock filled smartly. There

Robing Peter. 21st September

NB Oleanna

*River Dane Aqueduct to Crow Holt Bridge 52* **Yum num!** Supplies were on board for a breakfast, best to use them up before they go off, plus it would give us fuel to work up the Bosley flight this morning.

24 September 2024

Burton on Trent

NB Harnser

Last nights Indian Takeaway was superb, for just under £24 we had enough for the two of us two nights running. Aangan on Castle Way, less than 5 minutes from the moorings and this is what we had. Popoddom &

A very brief encounter.

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

23rd Sept There are some things I would rather not have, and Ian's bug is one of them! It was only a matter of time I suppose, living in such a confined space it was inevitable. Whereas Ian had more

Trent and Mersey Canal:Barlaston

NB Nuggler

The meal we had here at the Plume of Feathers Barlaston was so good we couldn’t resist stopping here on the way back. Weather was overcast but bright. Everything went as expected and it was interesting that after having turned

UB40 For Breakfast. 20th September

NB Oleanna

*Limekiln Lock 42 to the Dane Aqueduct, Macclesfield Canal* Today had a touch of a musical theme to it. UB40 with [***There’s a fish in mi bed what am I gonna do? ***][1] This morning a notice came through from

23 September 2024

Willington

NB Harnser

The weather today was much better than forecast and we haven’t had any rain thank goodness. We hadn’t gone very far when we passed this, I guess he hit the bend just a bit to fast. The police were on

It was not going to happen!

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Sept 21st The hard work began, well for Ian, not for me, although that was to come later. Ian's man flu was manageable, his cough was the worst, and I did wonder if maybe he had Covid. Without a test,

Caldon Canal:Milton

NB Nuggler

Having had a couple of days of rain and with bad forecast for today we anxiously awaited morning. The met office had issued an Amber Weather Warning (oh my Gawd) for our locality promising heavy rain, flooding, property damage, cats

Walk of Life

The Sumpners Afloat

**9th – 22nd Sep – A visit home for work and moving on** The early part of the week was pretty much taken up with packing and organising. Paul went off on Tuesday to get the car ready for our

A Boating Fix. 19th September

NB Oleanna

*Rode Heath to above Limekiln Lock 42* The aim was to set off at 10am this morning. Bridget and Storm were going to see if they could park their van up near Red Bull, if they could then they’d walk

22 September 2024

Caldon Canal:Stanley Mods

NB Nuggler

As expected it was raining. It continued all day on and off. So we were wet and cold. The fire was lit from the outset and provided welcome breaks sharing the helm. Martin executed the locks on the Stoke Flight

September Cruise: Day 18

NB Briar Rose

It rained a lot all night and was still going this morning, sometimes very heavily. Having looked at the rainfall radar, we waited for a lull and set off at 8.45. Really, it was the sort of day when you

Swarkestone

NB Harnser

My word what a miserable night, thunder, lightning, wind and rain until bed time then rain most of the night and nearly all of today until about 3pm. Our route home is closed at Alrewas due to the river being

Shardlow

NB Harnser

3 boats came up Western lock this morning before we went down, the last one I assisted. It was surprisingly warm as we made our way down the canal and by lunchtime was quite hot. I was somewhat surprised by

My turn to play with the windlass

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Sept 20th The forecast for the midlands was dire! Heavy rain and thunderstorms, a months worth of rain in a few days! Yikes...best try and get through the river section at Alrewas, then! Ian wasn't feeling too good, thinks he

Z Z Middle. 18th September

NB Oleanna

*Rookery Railway Bridges to Rode Heath* The hire boat was the first to go past, we took our time, Tilly was even allowed an hours shore leave whilst we did our morning routine. Much to my surprise when I called

21 September 2024

Trent and Mersey Canal : Barlaston

NB Nuggler

Great leap today. We were originally intending to stop at Stone but we had made good time and in view of a bad weather forecast for the next couple of days wanted to get a bit ahead so made for

September Cruise: Day 17

NB Briar Rose

Another day where the actual weather was better than the forecast, although it was a bit overcast when we set off a bit after 8. I walked round the junction to the top lock while Adrian brought the boat. A

Coventry Canal Huddlesford Junction to Atherstone lock 5

NB Huffler

Leaving Huddlesford junction moorings. Its dull but sun forecast. The bridges now have names, instead of numbers The reeds are taking over the canal and here 2 boats can no longer pass. The beautiful glades are a bit dull today.

Weston Lock

NB Harnser

Another great sky last night looking back down the canal.[[DSCF9651]][1] Normal starting time this morning, we had planned to slip across the cut to fill with water but the services were rather busy and weren't desperate so just pushed on

Dribbles. 17th September

NB Oleanna

*Bramble Cuttings to Rookery Railway Bridge* Turning my phone on this morning I came across two messages, both about rendez vous. I was expecting one, but not the other. Location and planned route were passed on to one, and current

New waters and nerve-wracking decisions

Pickingupducks

A change of scene does us all good, as boaters know only too well. James Brindley welcoming us at the start of the Caldon This week we’ve begun exploring the Caldon, somewhere we’ve wanted to travel for the past five

20 September 2024

Trent and Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction and Coventry canal to Huddlesford junction

NB Huffler

love this lock at Great Haywood. We were not so early setting off today and we were number 3 in the queue. Took an hour to get through lock as boats coming up each locking. Passing the enormous Gunnera plant

'Three wheels on my wagon'.

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Sept 19th late afternoon Whistles, chirps, hellos and even a wolf whistle or two, what on earth was making that? I was intrigued, had to leave FS to find out where the noise came from and turns out a cage

September Cruise: Day 16

NB Briar Rose

It was very murky this morning, with a not very promising forecast. We set off about 8.30. Napton windmill seems much more visible from this angle than it has been previously; I wonder whether some trees have been taken down.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Rugeley

NB Nuggler

More than usual boats moving early today. The water around Hademoor shallow as usual by the reeds. Bradley to my surprise was not busy and no queue for the locks, just one boat going up ahead of us. Wooden floor

Flecknoe (home two days early)

NB Chalkhill Blue

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER With commercial traffic no longer using the canal de la Sarre, the locks are only open from 8.30 to 18.30 and, as I was only 15 minutes from the first lock of the day, there was no

Marinas and Ports in Spain for Yachts

Insure4Boats

# Marinas and ports in Spain for Yachts Spain is home to many marinas and ports that are perfect if you’re looking to berth your yacht somewhere picturesque and secure with plenty to see and do. Here we share the

The Spiders From Anderton. 16th September

NB Oleanna

*Baron’s Quay to Bramble Cuttings, Trent and Mersey Canal* Fog! Who ordered FOG!!! No choice, we needed to move today. Thankfully as we pootled down to the lift waiting mooring the skies started to clear, still grey but not cloud

19 September 2024

September Cruise: Day 15

NB Briar Rose

It was very autumnal as we set off about 8am, and not in a particularly good way. It was grey, a bit chilly, and blustery. We made our way along the summit, through Fenny, and hardly saw another boat. The

Willington

NB Harnser

Again last night the sky was glowing a dull reddish colour.[[DSCF9641]][1] We set off at our normal 10 am start time, I don’t think we have been under this bridge before as its part of the development since we were

Accosted by a strange women.

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

September 19th Fish and chips were delicious, but a warning, do not order large fish or a large portion of chips! Ian likened the fish to a small whale, it was enormous. And as the chips got piled into the

Coventry Canal:Hopwas

NB Nuggler

[[7a640bcf-12c6-45a3-aafd-723beceb23d5]][1]Having done well yesterday I thought I should introduce Martin to the next level whereby he is involved more in the lock working with me absent preparing the next lock. It went brilliantly. We were alone for this last 6

Trent and Mersey Festival Gardens to Great Haywood

NB Huffler

We stopped at Festival Gardens on Sunday as the heavens opened and we do not 'DO' rain. We slipped from our moorings around 7.30am as we wanted to be away before the hire base was open for business. There was

Coventry Cansl:Atherstone Kings Head

NB Nuggler

**Wednesday 18th** We had the canal much to ourselves as far as Springfield Haven. Then things started to get more busy. There was a short wait at the top lock then it was Martin’s turn to helm the boat through

Food Filled. 15th September

NB Oleanna

*Barons Quay to the water point to Barons Quay* This morning was planned. Get up push over to the water point, dispose of yellow water, fill up, as the tank filled have breakfast, wind, head to the moorings below the

18 September 2024

A short journey

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Sept 18th Fish and chips, there is none better than that at Michaels Fish and Chips in Handsacre. Rugeley to Handsacre was but 4 miles, so not far. We left slightly later than planned, got talking to another boater and

Branston Water Park

NB Harnser

Yesterday tea time yet another ex working boat came by, this time Dove.[[DSCF9624]][1] The sunset last night was quite spectacular, far better than this photo gives credit for, also of course[[DSCF9630]][2] the full moon, I was hoping to see the

September Cruise: Day 14

NB Briar Rose

The weather was a bit dull to start, when we set off at around 8.15. The first lock, Grants, is the last that has the big single bottom gate. It’s mitred pairs from Banbury northwards. When we got to Banbury,

A frustrating day

NB Herbie

I'd rather not have too many days like today. We got up at a reasonable (for us) hour and prepared to leave Banbury. Frustration number one: Just as we were unroping ready to set off, who should come gently cruising

Coventry Canal:Atherstone - Kings Head

NB Nuggler

An early start again and not so cold this morning. Not a lot of other traffic until passing Springfield Haven. At Atherstone. Top lock we we first in line behind a boat just going down, but there was one moored

A New Mancunion. 14th September

NB Oleanna

*Vale Royal Visitor Mooring to Odeon Pontoon, Northwich.* The locks on the River Weaver are open at 9am, we were wanting to get a mooring back in Northwich for the day, so ideally wanted to be on our way as

17 September 2024

Out at last, and a real find in Banbury.

NB Herbie

Herbie is in Banbury tonight. We're out for a cruise with our son Peter. Want a good place to eat in Banbury? Well we can really recommend The Old Auctioneer in Parsons Street. We've walked past it many times over

Trent and Mersey Canal Red Bull to Festival Gardens

NB Huffler

Today the film crew returned and we proceeded up the last 2 locks to the mouth of the tunnel. We had a passage booked for 2pm the first bridge/aqueduct is where the Macclesfield Canal passes over the Trent and Mersey

How bizzarre.

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

Sept 17th We left Tixall Wide today. The rubbing down and painting of the handrail finally completed. It had to wait until Monday though because Sunday was a complete washout. That day was spent rubbing down and revarnishing the window

Coventry Canal: Hawkesbury Junction

NB Nuggler

[[IMG_1243]][1]All going well except difficulty with technology. The ipad is not able to connect to the internet, so having to use the iPhone. Not as easy. Now at Hawkesbury [[IMG_1235]][2] looking forward to eating in the Greyhound this evening. The

Common Lock T&M Fradley

NB Harnser

We set off a few minutes to 10, 3 boats had already been by and we met another 21 before Fradley Junction. Again it was a little misty over the valley when we left and the canal mirror calm.[[DSCF9616]][1] Of

September Cruise: Day 13

NB Briar Rose

Our mooring last night turned out to be really lovely. This morning there was more sunshine, although it was chilly to start. We set off about 8.20 and were soon at Lower Heyford, where there are lots of moored boats.

To The Other End. 13th September.

NB Oleanna

*Blind mans stretch to Winsford to Vale Royal Visitor Moorings* Some shore leave for Tilly as we did our morning routine, she was gone for quite a while but returned before we’d finished breakfast, the doors firmly closed behind her.