OnTheCut

Ruination. 29th July

NB Oleanna

*Retford and Worksop Boating Club to West Retford Visitor Moorings* Mick headed off to collect a trolley and await a Sainsbury’s delivery this morning as I waited for Sean, this weeks warden at the boat club, to come a take

National wonders or damp squibs?

Pickingupducks

More than 50 years ago Robert Aickman, co-founder of the Inland Waterways Association compiled the original list of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways.’ With our descent of the Caen Hill a flight last Saturday we have now travelled through

Hartshill

NB Harnser

Away at our normal 10 am, most of the other boats had gone and made our way towards Hawkesbury Junction passing this field of cows on route, not much grass there for them to eat.[[DSCF1057]][1] We stopped for water just

Chester draws us: Day 4

NB Briar Rose

As we arrived here yesterday rather than today, and we don’t really want to be in the centre of Chester on a Friday or Saturday night, we had a non-moving day. It was showery first thing and the temperature is

North By North East. 28th July

NB Oleanna

*Retford and Worksop Boat Club* With Tilly busy outside I got the bathroom bottomed and then the mop and bucket out. Two washes for the floor today, then a nice sit down outside whilst everything dried off. This gave me

A close shave and Elon Musk

NB What A Lark

What I forgot to tell last night that it was so warm, that after lights out in bed I asked David to take the bungs out to help with air flow, he aimed it at the floor but there was

Ansty

NB Harnser

I found the trains a bit disturbing last night and was awake early, but as the locks didn’t open until 10 there was no point in setting off early, although a couple of boats came by to be first in

Chester draws us: Day 3

NB Briar Rose

There had been some more rain in the night, but by the time we got up it was merely grey and a bit breezy. Over breakfast, I was surprised by how many listens to the podcast I’d had already had

Phoebe Anna Traquair. 27th July

NB Oleanna

*Retford and Worksop Boat Club* Cricket, the last Tour on free TV, end of the world haircuts, unicorn/uniform, and Alasdair’s under croft were this mornings subjects. Everyone was present and the screen was rather full as Mick is still in

Chester draws us: Day 2

NB Briar Rose

Last night’s mooring had zero signal, although every now and again a few emails would come through. We had a very modest target for today, as long as there was some connectivity. Beeston Stone Lock was only a few yards

Hillmorton

NB Harnser

We had a very good run from home despite the warnings on TomTom, most of which had gone before we got there. There was a bad accident at A14-M1 Junction 1 so TomTom took me off at 3, I guess

Between Bitterns And Beavers. 26th July

NB Oleanna

*Retford and Worksop Boat Club* A drizzly start to the day, so I awarded myself an extra long cuppa in bed, I’d not be catching the 10:20 bus today. As I sat having my breakfast a procession of boats came

Countdown to the Op!

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

July 29th Gulp....4 days to go. I'm starting to feel a tad apprehensive. I had the Pre-op, (blood pressure, blood tests, MRSA swab and of course weight) on the 21st with a thumbs up from the nurse. (Covid test no

Chester draws us: Day 1

NB Briar Rose

Rain in the night and it was still raining when we set off. We only went as far as Barbridge, where we moored up and waited for Keith Wilson to arrive to refit our cratch cover. It’s now a better

Fish Finger Nerds. 25th July

NB Oleanna

*Retford and Worksop Boat Club* Mick was up early, early enough to catch the 07:21 bus from the village into Retford, then onto a train to Doncaster, swapping trains (to save a few pounds), then on to York. The moorings

Latest Braidbar visit

NB Briar Rose

Another non-moving day, at least by boat. We walked up to get the car and drove up to Braidbar to see the latest progress on Kingley Vale. We have an engine! There’s more details on that and progress in the

On a Carousel

The Sumpners Afloat

**29th June to 27th July – Electrika, a visit home and some guests** Yup! Life has been a bit like a merry go round since we arrived back at Brinklow. one that we could not alight from! But we would

Escorted. 24th July

NB Oleanna

*Drakeholes Visitor Mooring to Retford and Worksop Boating Club* Cycling and cricket to keep up to date with, so a slow start with Mick sat in front of the TV with his breakfast. Tilly was given a couple of hours,

Re-stocking

NB Briar Rose

A non-moving day today, but not so for other people. We heard the first boats heading for Hurleston Locks and the Llangollen Canal at 7am, before we were up. After breakfast there was a steady stream of boats heading for

"What a charming wife you have" says I.

NB What A Lark

So the reason we went in the car today to Llangollen is firstly David loves it there and it's his special day and secondly my foot has had to make us change our plans, I can't see any point in

China Chronicles Part Three: Rainforest Luxury, Dai Temples And Water‑Splashing Fun

NB Areandare

Fairies Footpath. 23rd July

NB Oleanna

*Log Rural Mooring to Drakeholes Visitor Mooring* **Weeeed!!!** Some shore leave was granted first thing, then after breakfast and once Tilly had returned the doors were firmly closed. We’re not moving fast along the Chesterfield, well you can’t move fast

Greater Cheshire: Day 15 — and floating market

NB Briar Rose

This morning we were up and setting off by 8am, retracing our steps to Hurleston Junction. There were no gaps on the moorings south of the junction, but no boats at all north of it, so we tied up there.

Where has all the signal gone?

NB What A Lark

The next morning after a damp start, all rain welcome, we set off again. The bloody foot not too bad this morning. From here above the locks at Grindley, it's a lock free run for miles, but five annoying lift

I’ll Race You! 22nd July

NB Oleanna

*Basin Bridge to Rural Log 2 day Mooring*, *CHesterfield Canal.* A dry morning even if it was quite grey. Tilly had some shore leave, by the time she came we’d had our breakfast and started to get ready for the

New faces and new places

Pickingupducks

A lot can change in a week. People, scenery, nature, and weather can all be feelgood (or depressing) factors, but this week they’ve been positives. As the countryside unfurled from flat fields to rolling hills ahead of us, and white

Greater Cheshire: Day 14

NB Briar Rose

Our plan for today had been to just go round the corner to close to where the car is being kept, but Adrian had booked a hair cut in Nantwich, so we decided to go there instead. It was a

Tiverton Canal Co. – Horse Drawn Canal Trip

NB Floydtilla

What was once common place on the canals is now down to probably just two boats on the UK canal network. The Tiverton Canal Co. is only an hour away for us so we booked our places a few days

Soggy Southbound. 21st July

NB Oleanna

*Keadby Visitor Moorings to West Stockwith Basin Bridge* Not the best nights sleep sadly. I was aware of all sorts, but had finally managed to drift off by the time the put put of *NB Delhi *and *Python* came past

Greater Cheshire: Day 13

NB Briar Rose

Another day with only a modest target, so another pretty relaxed start. We got another load of washing going so we’re pretty much caught up now, then set off about 9.30. It was warm but rather overcast to start with.

23:58 20th July

NB Oleanna

Just tucked up in bed, reading, my phone rang, Vazon Bridge! This was it the call we’d been waiting for! Bottom half of pyjamas replaced by trousers, socks shoes, maybe even a jumper, it should be a touch chilly out!

Greater Cheshire: Day 12

NB Briar Rose

Remarkably, we had the lovely Clive Green moorings to ourselves last night. This morning, with a very unambitious target, we were in no rush to get away. We eventually got a wash load going to try to reduce the backlog,

River Lea - Broxbourne

NB Huffler

So moored up and on shore power. The washing machine heater is all OK. So now we begin to suspect the 3kva generator on the boat. We talk to Mr Cox. He says get it up to him and he

Leaving Wrenbury

NB What A Lark

My foot. Now the back story to .... my foot. Last August when I returned from New Zealand after caring for our youngest daughter, her new baby and husband Mitchell, my foot started to hurt, actually both of them. I

Movement

NB What A Lark

We have a hole in our cratch cover. Very annoying, but it's actually undoing stitching not a tear. I had called the maker but they were not going to be coming to Great Haywood for weeks. So we have come

Port Sainte-Marie (last port of call)

NB Chalkhill Blue

THURSDAY 17 JULY We had a long day ahead of us on Thursday so set off straight after breakfast to start on our journey along the canal de la Marne au Rhin (est). The canal used to be one continuous

Greater Cheshire: Day 11

NB Briar Rose

It had clearly rained overnight and it was a bit drizzly when we set off, but generally it’s been a much better day than forecast. We headed round the corner to Big Lock, which was already empty so we could

The 5 best paddle boards for beginners

Insure4Boats

Paddle boarding is a fun and exciting activity suitable for anyone who loves getting out on the water. Whether you dream of touring along coastlines, gliding down serene rivers, or enjoying family fun on summer days, there’s a beginner’s paddle

How to moor a boat: Your complete guide

Insure4Boats

Mooring your boat successfully will ensure it stays in place and is protected from damage. There are many places where you can moor a boat, some free of charge and others at a cost, and the right option for you

Greater Cheshire: Day 10

NB Briar Rose

We were all up quite early this morning, Brian and Mike being early risers anyway, and the factory over the Weaver made some loud banging noises at about 6.30. Having four people on board means everything takes a while —

Too much water???

NB Herbie

What with all the canal closures down our way due to lack of water, it was ironic to get an email warning from CRT at the weekend of potential flash flooding and strong currents at the bottom of the Hanwell

Greater Cheshire: Day 9

NB Briar Rose

A non-moving day today, so we had a pretty easy start to the day. We spent a little time cleaning the boat, as we were expecting guests. Mid-morning, our friends Brian and Mike arrived, and after tea and coffee we

Heatwave, swelter and dogdays.

NB What A Lark

We've had a couple of sweltering hot days and sticky nights. Its such a waste of good weather, I'd prefer 10C cooler and then be able to sit out or even walk a little. Who likes 28C? Well we decided

Greater Cheshire: Day 8

NB Briar Rose

With Saltersford Tunnel and it’s timed entry system about three miles ahead, we’d worked out that if we left at about quarter past the hour, we’d be about right for the tunnel an hour and a quarter later. So we

Is this trip a stage too far?

Pickingupducks

Is this the journey that’s going to finish us? We turned onto the Kennet and Avon, aiming to head through Berkshire, Wiltshire, and then to Avon. We have now been on the canal for two weeks, and only now are

Stuck on the Birmingham Canal Navigation

NB Sonflower

Tuesday 15 July 2025 The Birmingham Canal Navigation Society Cruise being over we set off at just before 6.00 and to decend the Oldbury Locks (The Crow). We had to move because we wer in the way. Where we had

Greater Cheshire: Day 7

NB Briar Rose

We had a great evening with Erika and Ian last night. They came over to BR for a drink as they’d never been on board, and then we all went over the bridge to their house where we had a

Still hot.

NB What A Lark

We crept off the next morning, we had an appointment at Swanley Marina at 9am. We were a few minutes late due to the number of moored boats along the way, under trees, I couldn't blame them either. When we

Greater Cheshire: Day 6

NB Briar Rose

The peace of our lovely quiet mooring was disturbed yesterday evening when three plastic boats came through Barnton Tunnel, music blaring, and moored up for an evening round a camp fire. They did actually turn the music down, and they

Strasbourg (moved on by the police)

NB Chalkhill Blue

SATURDAY 12 JULY We made an early start on Saturday as we’d be travelling along the Rhine for much of the day. We had no concerns about travelling on the river but weren't confident about making arrangements for going through