OnTheCut

Blogs

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

13 June 2026

Did someone say slow timing it back to Shebdon

NB Percy

... What do they know. Sadly Rachels trapped nerve if that is what it is got worse overnight and was up 4am is trying to get comfortable and some relief from it. Over breakfast we considered option. More slow timing,

Trent and Mersey Canal - Gt Haywood to just before Weston

NB Huffler

Setting off towards Gt Haywood lock. At least the tow path side of our boat looks good again ! Several boats waiting to go up the lock. We look like boat number 4- meaning at least the best part of

Diversity takes many forms in our life

Pickingupducks

June has been as mixed with weather, soundscapes, landscapes and emotion as ma month could be, and we are only a couple of weeks in. We started the month on a high, having travelled from a mooring on the outskirts

12 June 2026

Slow timing it back to Shebdon

NB Percy

We had a lovely time in Chester - the train was an interesting and varied addition to our travels. It got us there and back via Crewe for about £20. We got to the Lockeeper pub which was by the

11 June 2026

Trent and Mersey Canal - Gt Haywood

NB Huffler

We hope to be here a couple of days and get the boat, well at least one side of the boat polished It was quite good when we moored up so Tony made a start by washing the boat off

10 June 2026

Home

NB Harnser

Just to put you all in the picture, this morning we left Harnser at Northwich Drydock and took an Uber, first for us, back to Barby, picked up our car and drove home. Harnser will get a cleaned and painted

Issues with the fridge and we visit Raglan Castle

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

June 9th Arrrggghhhh....the smell hit us suddenly just before dinner. A very strong smell of ammonia, strong enough to catch at the back of our throats and make our eyes water. But where was it coming from? We immediately went

A Roll In The Right Direction. 8th June

NB Oleanna

*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* On Friday morning I was sent contact details for **[Claire Norton][1]** the signwriter, I left contacting her until Monday morning. Once I send her some photos of Oleanna with her current signwriting, along with an idea

9 June 2026

Trent and Mersey Canal - Rugeley to Great Haywood

NB Huffler

Yes we did stop at Rugeley for 2 days. Needed to go back to Tesco's AGAIN the next day as everything I needed would not go in the trolley ! Well this used to be terrible moorings. Wonderful things have

All change please....

NB Percy

As it will be for us and the train metaphor is accurate. We took a slow cruise up to Nantwich today, being hit by some impressive heavy downpours and then some impressive hot sun. The two rural and lovely Hack

Big Pit National Museum

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

June 6, 7th and 8th A lovely weekend was spent with Alan and Angela; it went ever so quickly. During our stay we spent time at a massive garden centre, walked to Upton upon Severn Marina where coffee was had,

Northwich Drydock

NB Harnser

We dumped the rubbish, this is the last waste disposal point going upstream waved goodbye to Steve and set off upstream, I gave Martin the Saltisford lock keeper a ring to say we were on our way and he had

8 June 2026

Didn't even turn the page !

NB Percy

I am sure we are not unique in using our Nicholson's guide extensively when we cruise. Even on routes I've travelled many times I still have the Nicholsons book out while cruising. today we didn't even get to turn the

Acton Bridge

NB Harnser

Boy did it rain last night, about 8mm in a series of very heavy showers. We heard a noise about 7 AM an looking out saw a bunch of canoes, no idea where they came from that time of the

Heading back to base

The Sumpners Afloat

**1st to 7th June** – **Welford to Brinklow** I guess the first question might be “Why are you heading back to base now”?” Well, you may recall that our next “complication” is Paul heading off to Le Mans with my

7 June 2026

BACK IN BANBURY NOVEMBER 2025

NB Sonflower

** Just for completeness.** We did get home last Year. Alex (Piglet) crewed with and we timed our dash to get through Napton Locks the day they opened. On the way we had to call out RCR because SONFLOWER's engine

Somewhere between Dutton and Sutton locks

NB Harnser

Not a good night, it was quite windy when we went to bed and the boat was knocking, so got up and put wheelbarrow wheel fenders down, then the rudder was creaking, so out again and lashed that down, come

Trent and Mersey Canal - Handsacre to Rugeley

NB Huffler

So the 'toilet factory'. Armitage Shanks massive factory here at Handsacre supplying toilets to the National. Any colour you like....well not any more , they are all white. A very sharp left hand bend here It is deceptive and just

Deep In The Jungle. 4th June

NB Oleanna

*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* Mick picked up a hire car first thing, returning home for a quick breakfast, then we were on our way to Redhill. Tilly was miffed as she wasn’t allowed to come with us, but she’d not

Arrived on Schedule to Cox Bank

NB Percy

A shamefully low lock miles day today but we were on a mission to get moored up for 11.30 so Rachel could join an RCN webinar (that didn't happen but hey ho) I was up early for me and had

Thugny-Trugny (a place name to make you smile)

NB Chalkhill Blue

Monday 1 June We had two days before meeting our boater friends, Nikki and Gorete, at a place called Variscourt and wanted to leave Reims and break the back of the journey on Monday as there was a chance of

6 June 2026

See us on Narrow Escapes Season 3

Narrowboat Life Unlocked

We loved taking part in season 1 of Narrow Escapes a couple of years ago, so when Channel 4 asked us if we would like to take part in season 3 and follow our journey with our new dog Sebastian,

Due a catch up

NB Percy

Its been a while. We have been on and off Percy but nothing really interesting to report, that is a good thing I guess. We are on our way somewhere, not sure where yet as external influences may or may

Sutton Weaver

NB Harnser

What has happened to summer, the outside temperature was in single figures last night and we woke to heavy rain. Thankfully the rain stopped before we got up. The river is really busy now, another Narrowboat joined us on the

Maybe May.

NB Oleanna

*Scarboreugh/Redhill Marina* A bit of an update before we get going on what Oleanna news there is, as I’m conscious that some are missing out on the design of panto this year. Chippy Panto. The Snow Queen model box has

Accepting change and changing direction

Pickingupducks

It has been a week of decision making, or rather accepting decisions made for us by circumstances without railing against them. Which way? If you know, you know! After a wonderful weekend of seeing family, meeting our newest teeny family

5 June 2026

Barnton

NB Harnser

Last night we ate at the small Indian restaurant The Relish Tandoori We had the set meal for two and ended up bringing one rice, one main course and half a Nan home because it was far too much. Late

Blenheim Palace

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

June 4th Sunshine and showers were forecast for today, waterproofs at the ready then. Arriving at the Palace by 10.30, we were amazed to have to queue to get in. Surely mid-week and a miserable day weather-wise would put people

4 June 2026

Northwich

NB Harnser

Last night as planned we went to The Red Lion for dinner. it was their two for one Mexican night so we had different dishes and shared them 50/50, I bet it will be the best value this trip, unless

Away again after dry docking.

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

23rd May It was that time of year again, black FS's bottom! It happened to coincide with one of the hottest weeks May has experienced in the UK, breaking the record of 32.8 °C in London set in 1922. Kew

Trent and Mersey canal Fradley Junction to Hansdacre

NB Huffler

Expecting rain around 12 noon we left just after 10 am. A boat coming down the locks - suits us nicely. As I enter the lock I notice these little wild orchids have been trampled on - probably by people

Trent and Mersey Canal - Alrewas to Fradley Junction

NB Huffler

It is 17 locks from Braunston to here at Fradley Junction via North Oxford and Coventry canals. Coming via the Leicester arm , River Soar and Trent and Mersey to Fradley Junction like we have done, its nearly 90 !

3 June 2026

Trent and Mersey Canal - Branston to Alrewas

NB Huffler

Torrential rain last evening and when we went to bed Tony had 2 wet pillows. No - he had not wet 2 pillows the rain did that ! A leaking porthole. So fresh pillows and pillow cases for him. This

Winsford Red Lion

NB Harnser

Just as we were about to get up it started to rain, so no rush. Todays plan is a cruise to Vale Royal locks and back up as we have a table booked at the Red Lion tonight. Once the

2 June 2026

Winsford Marina

NB Harnser

This morning I spent half an hour on the phone trying to sort a transit up through Hunts (easy and Vale Royal(the problem) Last night I booked Hunts for today and went to do the same at Vale Royal and

Trent and Mersey Canal - Willington to Branston

NB Huffler

The forecast was for rain all day. On the opposite bank, where the bollards are , there is water, rubbish and sanitary station. We moved over to the other side of the canal and availed ourselves of the facilities. It

1 June 2026

Northwich

NB Harnser

This morning Diana spotted this flat and tug hovering alongside. He was waiting for the Town Bridge to swing and timed it perfectly, well he has been boating since he was a kid. We headed upstream to visit Matt at

Trent and Mersey Canal - Shardlow to Willington

NB Huffler

Overcast skies as we leave Shardlow. Passing the beautiful Trent Corn Mill as we head towards Shardlow lock. No. 1 Trent Corn Mill is a three-storey brick-built canal warehouse dated 1816. As originally built, the warehouse had entrances at the

Boating with Buddies

The Sumpners Afloat

**26th to 31st May – Back to dear old Welford – again….** It hardly seems possible that until very recently, I was moaning about how cold May was and suddenly – record breaking heat! I’ve gone from wearing dressing gowns

Remember Us? 1st June

NB Oleanna

**Photo from way back when we used to live aboard** Yes we are still here. Yes we are still on dry land. But we now have a date to go through everything with Tom regarding Oleanna’s repaint. This morning I’ve

Reims

NB Chalkhill Blue

Tuesday 26 May Whenever we moor at Cumières we like to walk up the hill behind it to visit another champagne village, Hautvillers. With the current weather we clearly weren’t up for doing it during the main part of the

31 May 2026

Soar Navigation - Zouch Cut to Shardlow

NB Huffler

Yet another very hot day. 2 boats in the locks. Little did we know at this point that one was towing the other as it had no engine. They seemed to take ages - they did take ages. Hope we

Northwich

NB Harnser

Well as you can see the weather today has definitely gone down since last week. Although it looked bad[[DSCF1763]][1] we only had about 6 spots of rained all day, there was a little overnight but that doesn't matter. Away at

30 May 2026

Acton Bridge

NB Harnser

A nice quiet night last night, but it never really got dark. This morning the rowers were about at about 8am but we didn’t see any after we set off at 10. We have seen more Goslings today than we

Mountsorrel - Soar Navigation to the Zouch Cut

NB Huffler

Up fairly early, for us, just in case the river stoppage is lifted. Yes its gone down enough to move. Just as we had set the lock and were about to move off along comes a 'coal boat' No we

A million dollar question and a priceless prize

Pickingupducks

We are no strangers to 24hr challenges – our boat is named after the village where we lived in France that lies some 70km from Le Mans, site of the prestigious 24hr endurance races. I used to be involved in

29 May 2026

Sutton Weaver - It’s a long one

NB Harnser

Nice night moored in the basin at Ellesmere Port, there were two other boats in there. one for a week doing day visits by bike and train and the other left this morning. We were booked to lock down onto

Mountsorrel - Soar Navigation. Stoppage due to Rain and river closed due to flooding

NB Huffler

so here we are. Good moorings and a good pub. We tried the Everards Tiger beer but it was not to our liking. As we're going to have a meal here tomorrow we will try something else. Last night we

28 May 2026

Ellesmere Port

NB Harnser

Boy did we have a thunderstorm last night, about half ten there had been a few spots of rain, about eleven we are laying there and Diana says she can hear thunder so I got up and shut the engine

Grand Union Canal - Soar Navigation - Leicester to Mountsorrel

NB Huffler

Temperatures supposed to be a little better today so we left at 9am. however when we awoke it looked like Autumn. The pontoon as was full of dead leaves. and so was the roof of the boat. Had to be