OnTheCut

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

Ansty (outskirts)

NB Harnser

A bit damp over night and miserable this morning clearing up this afternoon. First job of the day was a visit to Playwright's for a Traditional Breakfast, unfortunately the order got muddled and we received two “Jumbo” breakfasts, two of

The Red Carpet

NB Briar Rose

A few domestic tasks first thing, like filling the water tank, and then we got in the car and headed off to Barton Marina. We’d booked with the little cinema there for a lunchtime viewing of [I Swear][1], a fantastic

November Braidbar visit

NB Briar Rose

We drove up to Braidbar today for the last visit before we take possession on Kingley Vale later this month. There’s a full update over on the [KV blog][1]. The boat is looking great, inside and out. Lots more photos

Coventry Basin

NB Harnser

As planned last night we ate at The Anchor and on the board it was pie night. Not real pies but a bowl of meat with a piece of puff pastry floating on top. That said my steak pie was

Stoke

NB Briar Rose

We drove the hour or so to Stoke this morning, stopping first at a fabric place to see what they had. Not what we wanted, was the answer. A cup of tea in the M&S Cafe was next on the

Anchor Bridge, Coventry canal

NB Harnser

We were a bit later getting away this morning and the timing was all wrong. Just as I was fitting the tiller to boats came by and we followed them all the way to Marston Junction. We set off this

Update on my insurance

NB Percy

Thank you all for the comments with information on who you are insured with. I got my Compare boat insurance renewal today and it was £310 up from £261 last year. I had a quote from Haven Knox Johnston for

Hawkesbury, Coventry canal

NB Harnser

Boy it was windy last night but no rain, we were moored beside the old GEC works, this is now being demolished to make way for housing.[[DSCF1207]][1]Thankfully they didn’t start until 8 o’clock this morning. An early start for us

Huddlesford Junction

NB Briar Rose

A pretty dull and slightly rainy day. This morning we drove into Lichfield to the big Tesco for a shop. After lunch, Adrian went off for an appointment about his painful foot, while I had a walk down the towpath

Brownsover

NB Harnser

Our journey to the boat was slightly different today as we called in at Brinklow Marina to meet some one. As it was lunchtime we then stopped in Newbold at The Barley Mow for a snack. I had sausage and

Car retrieval

NB Briar Rose

Having checked out the route yesterday, this morning we walked to Lichfield Trent Valley station to get a train first to Crewe and then on to Nantwich to get the car. The car has been looked after by our friends

Panto Postcard 1, 2025

NB Oleanna

*66 possibly 68 hours* **Not a bad start to Dave’s socks** Mick having been given the okay to drive again meant that instead of a seven hour train journey to Chippy we hired a car to get me and all

Settling in

NB Briar Rose

We’ll be here for a while now, but I still plan to blog each day — partly because this blog is a record of every night one or both of us has spent on board, and for completeness I’ll carry

New Map – Robbie Cummings – Pub of the Week

NB Floydtilla

As you will know we went to see Robbie Cummings on tour a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed the Robbie Cummings YouTube Channel and the subsequent TV series. One of his most popular segments in the YouTube channel was

From the newsroom to narrowboats

NB Briar Rose

Really delighted to have three contributions in the new issue of Waterways World, which is out now. The main one, a three page piece about my boating and career background, even gets a cover line. Then there’s a two page

Making a meal of a "quick" job

NB Herbie

Here's another entry into my "DiY how not to do stuff " annals. Read on only if you've got a strong stomach for details of technical incompetence. I'm just writing this to get it off my chest. Our grandson Jacob

The Final Countdown: Day 13

NB Briar Rose

It’s always good to see the Tidys, and The Crown in Alrewas did us fine for food. The place was rammed, and because it was Halloween, lots of patrons were in fancy dress. There was more rain overnight, and in

Feather-brained queuing

Pickingupducks

Farewell October 2025, month of queues! The drought and hot weather of the past two years has led to an historic shortage of water in Britain’s canals and the reservoirs that feed them. It was the driest spring since 1893

The Final Countdown: Day 12

NB Briar Rose

The rain was hammering on the roof when we went to bed last night, but by this morning it was dry and a bit more mild than of late. We were under way earlier than normal, at 8am. Just along

The Final Countdown: Day 11

NB Briar Rose

A stunning morning first thing, with clear skies, sunshine, and not a breath of wind. The Wide looked beautiful. We set off at about 8.45, and when we got to the aqueduct over the Trent, Adrian jumped off to go

Boat insurance recommendations

NB Percy

Hi, talking to those of you who have or had boats. Percy's insurance is due at the end of November. We've used ' Compare boat insurance' for out last years cover and they have been very poor. All we wanted

The Final Countdown: Day 10

NB Briar Rose

There was a lot of rain in the night and it was still pretty overcast first thing this morning. However the forecast said it would cheer up, so it was after 11am when we headed out for a walk. We

The Final Countdown: Day 9

NB Briar Rose

It’s always great to see Catherine, Nigel, and Matthew, and yesterday evening was no exception. We last saw them in Chester, so we were also interested to hear how Grace was getting on at uni there. It’s even better when

Nature delivers in a few ways

NB Percy

Well we pit stopped and literally withdrew from the race - to carry on the motor racing metaphors. Back last Wednesday the plan was to go home, me visit my mum Rachel visit the grandkids, me have another go at

Scotland in a camper - part 2

NB Chalkhill Blue

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Our van view of the 3,219 feet high mount Slioch on Thursday evening ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Wednesday 22 October We’ve been travelling in the van for a week now, nearly all of which time has been in Scotland. Starting from home

The Final Countdown: Day 8

NB Briar Rose

We were off at 8.30 on a gloomy, blustery morning which even threw in some unforecast showers. The canal is pretty twisty right after our mooring, and there’s also work going on possibly for a new development, just before Gailey.

The Final Countdown: Day 7

NB Briar Rose

The clocks changed last night, so of course we were awake earlier than we might otherwise have been, so found ourselves setting off at about 8.15. It rained on and off for the three miles down to Autherley Junction, and

Boating for 23 years now

NB Percy

Not my biggest boast, that would be being married to Rachel for over 40 years followed by riding motorbikes for 47 years. Anyhow I got some photo reminders of our first narrowboat holiday back in October 2002. In fact we

Californian News. 24th October

NB Oleanna

*Scarboreugh / Derby* Being out of the water means we can suspend our CRT licence. They only refund you for full unused months. Mick went on the website and filled out the form. Soon afterwards I got an email saying

The Final Countdown: Day 6

NB Briar Rose

We had a lovely evening with Sharon and John last night, with plenty of good conversation and good food. It was also amazing to see the progress they’ve made with Arlo the dog, who didn’t have the best start in

Au revoir

Pickingupducks

Finally we bid farewell to the Grand Union main line and turn back on the Leicester Line. How far we shall get with water shortages remains to be seen, but we are about 14th in the queue for Watford Locks.

The Final Countdown: Day 5

NB Briar Rose

A beautiful sunny morning, although pretty chilly. We set off at 9, and immediately got lovely sun and bridge combinations. Going along the Sheldon Embankment, the sun was straight ahead and it was impossible to see anything. After Shebdon Wharf,

Boating anniversaries coming quickly My Heaven and Hell cruise

NB Percy

Another one to talk about on Sunday but I've just been reminded of my Heaven and Hell cruise arriving at our moorings on the 23rd October 2018 [Worth a read ][1] So we've had an association at Shebdon farm moorings

The Final Countdown: Day 4

NB Briar Rose

We had a lot of rain yesterday evening and overnight, and there was still some light stuff first thing this morning. But by the time we were ready to set off at 8.30 it was pretty much dry. Also, the

The Hunt For Oleanna. 21st October

NB Oleanna

*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* **Veg veg, glorious veg** The last week has whizzed by. It hasn’t taken us long to get back into the swing of house living. The first veg box arrived with giant onions and a whole lot

Back to base - a pit stop

NB Percy

We ate in the pub last night - not the best food sadly. We had a nice walk through the village back to the boat via dirty lane and a bit of a fractious night sleep due to the cat

Home Moorings

NB Harnser

Well before we were up an old engine came chugging slowly passed, thanks for going slow Nick. We set off our normal 10am and headed down Dunchurch Pools Marina to fill up with diesel. It was a tad busy with

The Final Countdown: Day 3

NB Briar Rose

Today was forecast to be the best day of the week — with tomorrow probably the worst, with possibly a storm coming through. It was bright when we set off at 8.45, having got some washing under way already. Adrian

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

Scotand in a camper - part 1

NB Chalkhill Blue

────────────────────── Sunrise at Sango Sands ────────────────────── We’re off to New Zealand for a little under three months in January 2027 and have booked a campervan for two of the weeks we’re on the South Island. Neither of us have stayed

A failed wind to beat the wind and diesel and hours recording.

NB Percy

We've been watching the weather forecast whilst dealing with some family stuff. Anyhow we decided to wind this morning to get back to our mooring before the Thursday 'low' comes through. After that we may just stay on the mooring

The Final Countdown: Day 2

NB Briar Rose

Lovely quiet moorings at Coole Pilate, and there were only 4 boats on the whole stretch. This morning, the sunrise made a very strange light first thing. We set off at 8.30; it was quite cool but dry to start

Barby Bridge 75

NB Harnser

We pushed off just after 10am on a bright sunny morning, again better than forecasted and made our way passed the CRT gang doing the piling. The still had two boats abreast but as there had moved along the canal

The shortest cruise....

NB Percy

I've been dithering and uncertain about this cruise where to go how long to cruise etc etc.... I thought leaving it open ended would be more relaxing, turns out it's not (for me), it seems I need an itinerary. Today

China Chronicles Part Seven: Twenty Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About China

NB Areandare

The Final Countdown: Day 1

NB Briar Rose

We are now heading south, on what is in all likelihood our last major trip before we get our new boat. We’ve spent so much of this season around the Nantwich area it seemed quite emotional as we set off

All Oaks Wood.

NB Harnser

Well the Greyhound looks to be doing well for all day Sunday lunches turning the tables over several time in the course of the day and there were only two spots in the afternoon we could book. Strange thing was

Working My Way Back to You – Pt 2

The Sumpners Afloat

**13th to 19th October – Radford Semele to The Marina of Dreams** Monday Monday – what great song! Drugs obtained, I set off in a very very light drizzle – bound for Radford Semele and a very nice spot that

Home alone: Day 6

NB Briar Rose

Everyone seemed to be on the move early today — probably to beat the forecast rain. As I got ready to go at 8.45 a boat came past, and then just as I was setting I had to wait for