Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
18 April 2025
An Improvement. 15th April
NB Oleanna
*Pollington Visitor Moorings to Whitley Lock* An improvement in IT and TV was required, but it was raining. We waited for things to improve, it wasn’t raining hard, so hopefully it would just be a shower. A couple of boats
17 April 2025
Lyons Boat Yard, Warstock to top of the locks Br 25 North Stratford Canal -
NB Huffler
Well what a change in the weather . We woke up to sunshine and clear blue skies after the dreadful day yesterday Yesterday's wind has brought a lot of dead branches down so Tony went out to collect some and
Caldon Cruise: Day 1
NB Briar Rose
A bright sunny morning, and we were ready to leave our moorings outside the pub at Festival Park at 8.30. Now we’re not on a schedule, we are planning much shorter days than when we always needed to get back
The future of our Waterways assets
NB Percy
Youtube of which I watch a lot does tend to 'trend' with content creators joining the bandwagon of current topics. So it seems is starting to be the case with my blog title. So I guess I'm doing the same
I Got To Do It! 14th April
NB Oleanna
*Bramwith Junction to Pollington Moorings* Tilly was offered shore leave this morning, but she really wasn’t too keen on the idea. ***I’ve told you before I don’t like it being blowy!! Sort it out with this outside!!!** *That told us
16 April 2025
Escape from Festival Park — partially at least
NB Briar Rose
Our plan for today had been to start a trip up the Caldon Canal — but then last night we saw the weather forecast, with winds of more than 40mph for most of the day. As we’re no longer on
Grand Union Canal:Bridge 146
NB Nuggler
The family (with the exception of Kai) arrived about 10:00 with loads of luggage in small bags together with food, mostly of the child kind it appeared. There was no rush to get under way, first homes needed to be
Eating the elephant
NB Herbie
A request has flooded in from our old pal Rainman asking me to do a blog post. I've almost forgotten how to do it, it's been so long. Well we are back on Herbie at last, although not out cruising
High Noon. 13th April
NB Oleanna
*Stanilands Marina to Bramwith Junction* Subjects on the Geraghty zoom this morning covered roofing, Neil Kinnock, foxes, bicycles ridden by Tony Ben and chocolate workshops for Easter. A shopping trip was next on the cards. With the Brompton Mick could
15 April 2025
Grand Union Canal:Berkhamsted
NB Nuggler
At about 9:15 this morning I got an email from Canal and River Trust to say that the navigation was now open and that the repair to the lock gate had been completed. It just remained for the canal to
Birmingham to Warstock - Birmingham and Worcester & North Stratford canals
NB Huffler
Leaving Birmingham this morning the weather is a lot cooler. First job was to fill with water before heading towards Lyons Boat yard on the North Stratford where we intend to overnight. The water point is a sharp right hand
Launch day for Narrowboat Kingley Vale
NB Briar Rose
We were up early this morning and on the road to Braidbar, for our new boat, Kingley Vale, to be put into the water. It was quite a day! There’s a full report over on the [Kingley Vale blog][1], so
Bits and Pieces
The Sumpners Afloat
**Late March to mid April 2025 – what we got up to!** We popped down to Fareham to see our Grandson and to celebrate our son George’s birthday. His actual age makes me feel even more ancient, so we’ll gloss
Phew even the boat got moved
NB Percy
One of those days not really looking forward to but happy to look back on.... Up early'ish another night of strange dreams for me. Breakfasted and some lazy social media'ing then the polish came out to give the side and
The Express Train. 12th April
NB Oleanna
*Staniland Marina, Thorne* Tilly was left in charge today with her evening dingding already served before 9am, we were off for a day trip and some culture. We took the train from Thorne North, the conductor on the train said
14 April 2025
Birmingham and Narrow Escapes Launch Party
NB Huffler
What a tourist town Birmingham has become. Amazing. It’s 21 degrees here today - amazing for early April. The pubs are full, the ice cream stands are doing a wonderful trade and the trip boats are full. Historic working boat
Getting things done
NB Briar Rose
Today has been a getting stuff done type of day. This morning Adrian went off to the local laundrette to do some washing. We have a washing machine on board, but without easy access to water in this marina to
Grand Union Canal:Marsworth (Day 3)
NB Nuggler
Well, I’m still here! I walked up to Lock 44 first thing and then at lunch time, but no sign of any work done or in preparation. So it’s starting to look very gloomy for our proposed family trip to
Crime Scene. 11th April
NB Oleanna
*Near Godnow Swing Bridge to Staniland Marina* Shore leave was granted whilst we had breakfast. Just outside our hatch and along this stretch of bank were these plants, a little like asparagus. My plant app suggested that they are Common
13 April 2025
Grand Union Canal:Marsworth (day 2)
NB Nuggler
Late yesterday I learned that lock 44 in the Marsworth flight has been rendered unusable with a broken collar. This means that the whole gate can potentially fall into the canal. The collar is like the top hinge of a
Biddulph Grange
NB Briar Rose
The clear sunny days have finally come to an end. But although there was a shower at about the time we were getting up, and another mid morning, it’s been a much better day than forecast. We thought that with
Retirement giving me memory issues call the home !
NB Percy
Yesterday I thought it was Sunday when it was Saturday, this morning when trying to think back to update this blog I lost another full day.... I think Rachel should be calling Matron to book that long stay in the
Too Keen. 10th April
NB Oleanna
*West Stockwith to between Godnow and Medge Hall Swing Bridges, Stainforth and Keadby Canal* Today we gave ourselves longer to get ready. We’d been told 7:45 in West Stockwith lock to then wait for the tide to turn. Of course
12 April 2025
Grand Unuon Canal : Marsworth
NB Nuggler
After a standard Saturday breakfast I set off at 07:30, a bit later than usual. First was Linslade lock with its beautiful new gates. At Grove Lock I met up with Ann and Jeremy on Wild Swan and we continued
Grand Union Canal: Soulbury 3 Locks
NB Nuggler
Today was really all about the long cruise on the level through Milton Keynes. The lock at Fenny Stratford which has a swing bridge in the centre had to be negotiated then dvdd ex naturally Stoke Hammond Lock now rising,
Station cafe
NB Briar Rose
This morning we drove over to Chester to see my dad, and take him out for lunch. We went to the [Delamere Station House][1], which is actually in the Delamere Station building. It must be one of the few stations
Bordersley Junction to Birmingham - and to the Birmingham Main Line
NB Huffler
Yesterday was the last of wide locks. We are still on the same canal, the Grand Union, but here at Bordersley top lock they suddenly change to narrow locks. There were no wide beam boats on the system when the
Kate and Ada. 9th April
NB Oleanna
*Cooper’s Bridge 80 to Basin Bridge, Stockwith* Another misty start to the day, glad we wouldn’t be out on the river this morning. Instead we walked into the village to pick up a few bits and bobs. **She’s peeling a
Resuming work/life/move balance
Pickingupducks
Humans (and dogs) are adaptable beings. We’ve slotted comfortably back into our usual move-moor routine after the winter mooring and winter stoppage delays. The weather has been glorious, which has made boatlife and the usual chores that go with it,
11 April 2025
Car shuffle and podcast launch
NB Briar Rose
Adrian went to get the car today, so we both walked down the canal to Stoke Station, where he had a train booked to Milton Keynes. Then it was an Uber to the marina, returning the entry cards to Val
Too Shallow For Speed. 8th April
NB Oleanna
*Basin Bridge to Manor Farm Winding Hole to Coopers Bridge 80* No rush to go anywhere today really, so the back doors were opened for Tilly to explore as we had breakfast and waited for the mist to be burnt
10 April 2025
Grand Union Canal:Bridge 75
NB Nuggler
Thursday 10th April Overcast first thing and sill cold. First thing a cruise and the the Blisworth Tunnel. I must have gradually got chilled top the core because before entering the tunnel I started uncontrolled shivering. In my imagination the
Kingswood Junction to Bordersley Locks - Grand Union Canal
NB Huffler
Setting off from The Navigation Inn the weather was still amazing. Just look at those reflections. We have little idea where we will be tonight. It is 14 miles and 11 locks to Bordersley. Normally this would take about 6
Heading north: Day 11
NB Briar Rose
The moorings at Westport Lake are lovely. We could hear an owl hooting last night, and there was more bright sunshine this morning. With very little distance to do today, we had a relaxed start. Our plan was to go
My beautiful dawn chorus walk - Knighton woods
NB Percy
Alarm went off at 5am, dressed tea and toast made and off I went into the dark and quite cold = frosty morning. It's quite unnerving to hear your own amplified sounds only competing with the pheasants who seem to
Warwick to Kingswood Junction. - Grand Union Canal
NB Huffler
Bad news this morning. A lock on the North Stratford has failed. It will not be repaired until Friday pm which is too late for us to get to Birmingham from there. Luckily there is another way via Knowle locks
Mistical Morning. 7th April
NB Oleanna
*Torksey Lock Bottom side to Stockwith Bridge 85, Chesterfield Canal* What is it with bubbling tidal rivers?! We’d not heard a jot of it yesterday afternoon and evening, but as soon as we’d just managed to nod off last night
9 April 2025
Grand Union Canal:Stowehill
NB Nuggler
Frost on the boat roof this morning and cold fingers and toes setting off, early as usual. However things soon warmed up and there’s nothing like a lock flight for getting the circulation going. The bottom gate for the Braunston
Water pump replacement and a plan
NB Percy
It seems our three week cruise to Llangollen has been compressed to a ditch shuffle up and down the lovely Shroppie. It could be worse. Yesterday I stripped out the old water pump and was not happy how I'd done
Heading north: Day 10
NB Briar Rose
We were up early this morning, as we had an appointment. Tim Tyler, who’s building the shell of our new boat, Kingley Vale, had contacted us to say they’d be starting to paint it with primer this afternoon, so if
Long Itchington to Warwick - Grand Union Canal
NB Huffler
slipping away from our lovely moorings at Blue Lias ph. off to the first lock of the day first brood of this year - day old ducklings. Top lock and this is a staircase at Bascote passing massive works for
What A Joy. 6th April
NB Oleanna
*Cromwell to Torksey bottom side pontoon* Originally we’d been booked to pen down back onto the tidal Trent at 11:45 this morning, but yesterday Mick had stopped off to chat to the Lock Keeper. They didn’t understand why we were
8 April 2025
Oxford Canal:Willoughby
NB Nuggler
I got to the boat today at around 12:15. Just a few things to add to the inventory and then I was off. I’m a day ahead of the plan (see previous post) to make sure of being in the
Braunston to Long Itchington - Grand Union Canal
NB Huffler
What a wonderful day to be setting off on on our travels. Amazing weather for early April passing through the main marina before turning out on to the Grand Union Canal under the famous Horsley Bridge with Braunston Church in
Heading north: Day 9
NB Briar Rose
There was a very heavy frost when we woke up this morning. As we’d approached got the boat ready to go, a balloon drifted over. At 8am we moved the short distance to the water point at the junction, and
Decent progress but at a standstill.
NB Percy
We were due on the boat a few weeks ago to do a spring trip up the Llangollen canal and it would have been a stunner in this locked in high pressure we are experiencing. But as a friend says
7 April 2025
Heading north: Day 8
NB Briar Rose
I had a boat test to do this morning just back at Kings Bromley Wharf, so we had a pretty relaxed start to the day. Even though I had just a few minutes walk up the towpath and Andy the
6 April 2025
Heading north: Day 7
NB Briar Rose
Another sunny day. We had scrambled eggs for breakfast as it was Sunday, and set off about 9.15. Just around the corner was Huddlesford Junction, where a boat club use the remains of the Lichfield Canal as moorings. Parts of
5 April 2025
Algae is awful!
NB Wakahuia
My second to last post was about Kevin and Josh cleaning out the ponds in front of our and Janet's places. We all had such high hopes of getting rid of what Janet so delicately calls green snot - the
Heading north: Day 6
NB Briar Rose
The mooring at Grendon was excellent, with the hill between us and the railway line really cutting out the noise of the trains. This morning, there was a lot of birdsong, including a weird robotic type noise, which is that