Blogs

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

7 December 2024

Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)

Pickingupducks

Several times this week, boating friends have anxiously asked if I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms or the dreaded itchy tiller syndrome, as we enter our third week moored in one place. When you’ve been used to moving the location for

4 December 2024

Home Mooring

NB Harnser

Last night we ate in The Boat House that use to be The Mill House and before that The Boat House, its part of the Marstons chain so you know what to expect, luckily Dian checked the menu on her

3 December 2024

Braunston

NB Harnser

Well another day another type of weather, bright, dead calm, fine and cool. We were away a little after ten thirty passing several moored boats between our overnight mooring and Napton Junction. The Grand Union is a broad canal so

2 December 2024

Flecknoe

NB Harnser

Yesterday afternoon the sun was going down on Barby Reservoir, today it just forgot to come up again.[[DSCF0111]][1] This morning the weather was quite dreary with thick cloud and fine cool drizzle, the most miserable weather for boating for sometime.

1 December 2024

Onley

NB Harnser

The forecast was for rain today so we waited until that cleared, just before we set off this ladies rambling group went by, we caught up with them at Brownsover by which time their numbers had swelled to 12 .[[DSCF0106]][1]

30 November 2024

Newbold

NB Harnser

Last night looking out in the dark it was interesting to see the line of the M69 with the street lights running off into the distance. This morning was even warmer but for some reason it was heading towards 11

Turning The Temperature Up. 28th November

NB Oleanna

Over the last week or so, Mick had noticed that Oleanna’s heating hadn’t been coming on when we’d expect it to. Snow in Goole as seen from our webcam suggested it had been quite cold, along with the sensor in

Diverse perspectives are invaluable to keep us all afloat

Pickingupducks

We have been on our first winter mooring for near a fortnight now, and strangely, it doesn’t seem anywhere near that long. There has been much to do for work and family as well as the many additional tasks that

29 November 2024

West of Ansty

NB Harnser

As we were in Coventry last night we had a takeaway from [Jinseon Korean restaurant][1]. We have eaten in the restaurant a couple of times but I prefer a takeaway as it gives us lunch for the next day as

12 gifts for paddle boarders

Insure4Boats

Whether you're shopping for a birthday gift, Christmas present, anniversary surprise or just something to show you care, there are many great gifts for paddle boarders. From paddle board accessories that will provide extra fun out on the water to

Kayaking and fishing: A complete guide

Insure4Boats

Whether you love kayaking, enjoy fishing, or are new to both and fancy trying 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 fishing

28 November 2024

Coventry Basin

NB Harnser

It was somewhat cold last night with the boat covered in ice before we went to bed and everywhere was white with frost when we got up but the sun soon took the edge off that. Again it was dead

27 November 2024

Bramcote

NB Harnser

It was dry when we went to bed last night but it didn’t last long and the rain was soon beating down on the roof which continued most of the night, The very light drizzle this morning had cleared up

A new design for Herbie's name

NB Herbie

Following my signwriting course I've not only been practising brushwork at home but also thinking about repainting Herbie's name on the side of the boat. From all the hundreds of typefaces /styles/fonts (call them what you will) available which one

26 November 2024

Sutton Wharf

NB Harnser

Again it was a lovely bright sunny but cool day, just a hint of frost on the grass. It was quite busy today, we met 2 boats, one in a bridge hole and a paddle boarder out enjoying the sun.

A bit too much afloat

NB Herbie

Major problems at Cropredy Marina yesterday thanks to storm Bert. The moorers' facebook group was showing alarming pictures of flooding all round the marina and in the village too. I don't think I can show them here because they are

25 November 2024

Snarestone

NB Harnser

Last night was so quiet compared to the night before you could have heard a mouse walk by and this morning we woke to bright sunshine. The boat behind us set off before we were up and winded just through

24 November 2024

Market Bosworth

NB Harnser

It was a bit blowy over night with lots of rattling on the roof, but everything was still where it was left when I looked out this morning. I don’t know how much rain we had but the levels are

23 November 2024

Stoke Golding

NB Harnser

We had heavy rain early this morning that woke me up, but by the time we were about in had blown through. The worst we had was very cold drizzle with quite a breeze behind it making it quite unpleasant.

Tenterhooks, astonishment and unbelievable fortune

Pickingupducks

Setting a goal and being thwarted can be a challenge. We’ve been thwarted many times in our aim to reach our first ever winter mooring, but last Saturday was the first chance for us to try and make the trip

22 November 2024

Bramcote Ashby Canal

NB Harnser

We expected to get up to an inch of snow and a frozen canal, but both were missing and only a light frost and maybe a scattering of snow over night. Although the temperature was a bit higher it didn’t

2 day jolly, day 2

NB Nuggler

Friday November 22nd Continued to Braunston turn and back to Barby sharpish. Bought a couple more bags of coal from Midland Chandlers. It’s more convenient than at the marina. On the way back there were a few patches of slushy

2 day jolly. Day 1.

NB Nuggler

Thursday November 21st Decided to take the boat to Braunston and back with an overnight on the way to test the solar system. Will it function as intended. Well, yes. If the sun shines. The opportunity was then taken whilst

Socking Along

NB Oleanna

**Deco socks** Well my fundraising for Dementia UK has reached £1360 which is absolutely brilliant. THANK YOU!! And there is still some sponsorship money to come in for the 53 pairs of socks in my original challenge. Yes a year

21 November 2024

Ansty

NB Harnser

A bit late getting away this morning, but when we did it was a still, bright, cold start and the frost in the shade hasn’t cleared all day. We did encounter some ice which surprised me, its not been very

21 November 2024 at 11:19

NB The Maisibert

On our travels to our next destination we stopped off at the Squire & Horse for lunch with Hilary's cousin Colin and his wife Helen.

21 November 2024 at 11:13

NB The Maisibert

The last couple of days we have spent with Dianne and Peter where we visited the beach and a Noodle Bar in the evening and then the following day we saw the Roman Ruins in Dorchester.

20 November 2024

Hillmorton

NB Harnser

It was 1°C when we left home and we caught up with the gritting machine on the A11 by which time it was 3°C, the best we saw on the dashboard display was 5°C. Towards the end of our journey

Farewell to an old friend but hello to a new family member

NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)

So.... the stove...crikey, has it really been 6 weeks since that was done? In those six weeks, a new addition to the family has arrived and the first snow of winter (or is it still autumn?) gave a good 4

18 November 2024

Dazzling Jewel on test

NB Briar Rose

The December *Canal Boat* is out, and includes my boat test on *Dazzling Jewel* by [Cain Narrowboats][1]. [1]: https://www.cainnarrowboats.com/

Job's a Good'un

NB Herbie

The restoration of Herbie's hinged aft hatch lid is complete, no thanks to me. All the thanks go to my mate Rick who has lovingly and skilfully turned this into this Not a simple job because he had to cut

16 November 2024

16 November 2024 at 17:58

NB The Maisibert

We returned to Bude today without the dogs so we could have a look around the town first we visited Bude Castle where we saw the history of GCHQ we drove past the real dishes yesterday, tonight we have Cornish

Bully Boy Battery Cables. 8th November

NB Oleanna

**(Tech Post by Mick)** When I installed the new LiFePO4 lithium batteries back in the spring of this year, I had ordered cables that were too long. Better too long than too short! At the time, I didn’t have the

How do you wait?

Pickingupducks

How do you wait – patiently, productively or frustratedly? By the time you read this we hope the enforced hebetude of the past weeks will have left us and we will be on the move, making our way at last

15 November 2024

15 November 2024 at 16:25

NB The Maisibert

As the dogs had been left at the cottage the last couple of days so today we took them to Sandymouth Bay for a run and then back to the cottage.

15 November 2024 at 16:21

NB The Maisibert

The dogs have enjoyed their stay this is despite being left the last couple of days.

14 November 2024

14 November 2024 at 18:31

NB The Maisibert

After saying our goodbyes to Elaine and Colin we visited Westward Hoe to check out the beach for the dogs tomorrow but think it might be a bit rough for them.

14 November 2024 at 18:27

NB The Maisibert

We met Elaine and Colin from Torquay at Bideford Quay today for a long overdue catch up.

13 November 2024

13 November 2024 at 23:18

NB The Maisibert

Today we went to Barnstaple because Hilary's Great Grandfather was a vicar there as we had no information a phone call was made to her cousin who gave us a place name. A bit of Google research gave us the

Crick

NB Briar Rose

I came up to the boat yesterday afternoon, as I had a boat test to do today. This morning was very foggy across the marina. It was also foggy when we got to Crick for the boat test, so we

12 November 2024

12 November 2024 at 17:50

NB The Maisibert

Later this afternoon we travelled to Hartland Quay, it seems this area has one major road the A39 the rest are single track roads where we met several tractors and obviousally it is muck spreading season.

12 November 2024 at 17:36

NB The Maisibert

First port of call today was Clovelly which is a fishing village which is owned by one family where all the homes are rented out, because of the cobbled streets everything is delivered to the properties by donkey's pulling sledges.

Pond cleaning

NB Wakahuia

On Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, when David went out to make a cup of tea at about 8am, he saw that Kevin was already starting work, getting set up for the big pond clearing that he and Josh

11 November 2024

11 November 2024 at 16:20

NB The Maisibert

Today we took the dogs to Bude for them to play on the beach, even Cassie walked all the way after her episode just over a week ago. Even had a canal (Bude Canal) which was used to transport sand.

11 November 2024 at 16:12

NB The Maisibert

After a five hour drive we arrived at the cottage and the sun shone on our arrival, even the dogs were tired after the journey and soon settled in.

9 November 2024

Going for a festive make or break?

Pickingupducks

This is the run-up to Christmas in our family – four birthdays in rapid succession, then barely a pause before the festive season presents take over our thoughts. It is a time that, for many, can literally make or break

7 November 2024

A Ride In The A. 3rd November

NB Oleanna

A document listing requirements for Oleanna’s repaint has been compiled. An order made for primer, undercoat, replacements and filters placed. The living room rug keeps on being murdered (the fish is innocent by the way!). My work room has been

6 November 2024

From blacking: Day 2

NB Briar Rose

As I was ahead of schedule I had a pretty relaxed start to the day. I walked up to the village as I’d arranged to meet Kathryn for a cup of tea in the cafe when they opened at 10am.

5 November 2024

From blacking: Day 1

NB Briar Rose

I drove up to Weedon yesterday after an early shift, stopping at Brent Cross Tesco on the way for some shopping, and arriving at about 6.15. Steve at [Grand Union Narrowboats][1] had kindly moved the boat over to the towpath

4 November 2024

My mate Tezza who died last week

NB Percy

I post this as I know it'll pop up in future years to remind me. Not looking for comments just a memory - they are very important to me. I lost a good friend. Tezza to us Terry to family.