Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
6 January 2026
A tale of two locations
NB Percy
I woke this morning after a very long sleep last night to snow at the cottage and a photos from our boaty neighbour Mandy off NB Don't Panic. I do feel a tad guilty but we needed to be home
5 January 2026
A horrible disturbed night. Plan B then
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
5th Jan This wasn't the ideal mooring and when Kat came past late afternoon yesterday we had thought to follow. She was stopping at boats giving out sacks of coal (gosh she's strong) and fuelling those that needed diesel and
A new low for us
NB Percy
There was eerie sounds on Percy in the small hours.... not heard for many years. As the canal froze and nature locked Percy into her icy stronghold the smallest of movement on the boat creates a creak and a groan
4 January 2026
2025… The Year Of Fools, Drought, NHS and Roses.
NB Oleanna
A round up of 2025, sit down with your favourite drink and I hope you enjoy. January started out as December this year would end, us watching from afar the aftermath of a breach. January was the Bridgewater, December the
That was a turn up for the books!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Jan 4th Gosh, it was freezing this morning. Getting out of a warm bed, our first thoughts, had the stove gone out. Our temperature gauge showed minus 6.8 outside and only 11 degrees inside! But the fire was still in,
Spanish Funnyness
NB Oleanna
Hi everyone, we’re aware that something funny is going on withn the blog. My IT support and an even higher IT support are working on it right now. Apologies, unless you want to do some banking in Spain!
A big anniversary coming up
NB Herbie
Hi dear readers, a Happy New Year to both of you. Yes we're still alive an kicking despite not having updated you for far too long. Well, not much has happened on the boating front apart from emails from CRT
Testing weather - which is fairing better
NB Percy
As forecast the weather is coming in - the north westerly weather we are now getting at this time of the year is a test for heating systems. As I type this on Saturday afternoon it's gusting and bright but
3 January 2026
I don't think we have much blacking left!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Jan 3rd 2026 Minus 3 and yes we had some ice. Mainly behind FS, in front a slight breeze was disturbing the water which kept the ice formation at bay. Took ourselves off for a walk to the road bridge
Going to need a bigger spanner !
NB Percy
Sitting here in a very warm boat contemplating a few hours in a very cold engine room - the boat is 25c the engine room is 7c Lovely day after a spattering of snow overnight. Just had a nice cup
Live your dream
Pickingupducks
Many of us start a new year with a reflective look back at the old, but for us circumstances have resulted in a rather further look back than usual. A new day, a new dawn With a new grandchild very
2 January 2026
Home mooring
NB Harnser
We woke this morning to find the boat surrounded by ice yet again so we were more than happy to hear Nb Minnow, Monarch, Comet and another boat breaking their way through the ice towards us. I gave Dunchurch pools
Us? Fickle?
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
2nd January Turning on the TV, the first thing we heard was the weather forecast! It didn't bode well for the next week and checking the outdoor temperature, it was below zero. A look outside showed no solid water, frost
It's not a real volcano
NB Percy
I still dream of my old job a lot and last night was no different so a strange nights sleep. We spent the evening reviewing 2025 phots to realise we'd been on Percy more than we thought. We heard Market
1 January 2026
Best laid plans
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
31st Dec The last thing we wanted to see was ice! I thought it strange the boat didn't move when Ian got up to make the first cup of tea. It wasn't until we opened the curtains that the reason
Dunchurch pool marina
NB Harnser
Apart from the fireworks last night was surprisingly quiet. I went out about 8pm and there was ice on the top of the boats and the ropes were stiff, but as the evening progressed the temperature kept slowly rising and
Not the best start of the year for C&RT
NB Percy
Just picked this up ( New Years Eve) from Staffordshire fire and rescue 🚨 Please be aware we currently have crews in attendance at the Boat Inn, Cannock Road, Penkridge. The bridge over the canal has collapsed therefore, the road
31 December 2025
Time warp back to the 1960's - On board at the turn of the year
NB Percy
This morning was a shock to the senses.... Rachel had set an alarm for 7.45am and we woke to a cold 7c boat. When I went out last night it was a lovely semi cloudy night, not cold. Overnight the
Hillmorton top lock
NB Harnser
We woke this morning to find the canal frozen edge to edge,with a clear bright sky and bright sunshine.[[DSCF1363]][1] thankfully before we set off a boat came by cutting a nice channel for us to follow. We set off and
Home and Away and Home
NB Wakahuia
It is now 2 months and 8 days since I last posted - talk about slack! And I've just looked at my last post, and what a coincidence: I currently have a pot of dahl cooking again! This time it
Trapped Narrowboats Heading Away from the Whitchurch Breach
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
An update from the breach at Whitchurch that happened on Monday 22 December. The boats that are trapped on the Grindley Brook side of Whitchurch are being helped down the locks and six miles away. The GoFund me is about
The point of no return.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
30th Dec Oh dear, the day did not start well. A plan had been formed yesterday about how long we would cruise today. The end of the Ashby was roughly a couple of hours from Limekiln so we would turn
30 December 2025
Stretton Grimes Bridge 26
NB Harnser
Nice quiet mooring last night and when we set off about 1030 Am the weather felt warm without a breath of wind. We met several boats today including one as we left Suttons Stop lock which was nice and one
Well we made it, all being well aboard for the turn of the year
NB Percy
I'm hoping I can scrape enough boat related content and memories to add maybe one more post before we quite remarkably head into 2026. We got to the boat at about 1.30pm today 30th. The boat was a lowly 5c
Mud and a branch, not a good combination.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
28th Dec Pins were pulled by 9 am. The plan was to head to Snarestone, use the facilities, wind and head on back down the canal. Warm clothing was necessary, the wind had a real bite to it. It was
29 December 2025
The last missing bit but will we get on Percy one last time this year ?
NB Percy
I just need to detail early September then maybe one last 2025 blog from aboard Percy - maybe ? We were looking at vans early September as I'd committed to selling the reliable Toyota Auris and I wanted a van
Bedworth Arbruy Park Bridge
NB Harnser
Last night we moored opposite the old hat factory, some years ago there were plans to convert it into housing but nothing ever happened.[[DSCF1348]][1] We pushed off about 1030 and again the canal was very quiet only meeting two boats
Festive days
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Dec 26th Christmas was fun, Kev came to collect us on Christmas day, our dinner was a Spaghetti Bolognese! Just to clarify though, the main event would be held on Boxing Day as Colin and Iwona were having a Polish
After the Breach at Whitchurch our Narrowboats are Moved to Safety
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
An update from the breach at Whitchurch that happened on Monday 22 December. The boats that are trapped on the Grindley Brook side of Whitchurch are re floated and moved to safety. Some of the boats have to reverse the
28 December 2025
Atherstone top lock
NB Harnser
We woke this morning moored in the middle of a fishing match. The match ran from 10am until 2 pm.. The chap pegged right by our bow who we got chatting to asked if we could stay until 2pm as
What Did We Get? 28th December
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh*! We hope your Christmas was jolly and filled with good times with friends and family. Unfortunately, ours didn’t turn out quite as planned this year. A pre-Christmas trip over to York was enjoyed to meet up with the London
August was a boat bust
NB Percy
We had big plans for August on the boat but other commitments and lack of water and other restrictions put us off cruising the boat - again. So the synopsis was family, bikes and a bit of boat and lots
27 December 2025
Polesworth
NB Harnser
Over Christmas we were in contact with friend who were not only on their boat but traveling in the same direction as us, we haven’t seen them in years, that’s how it goes with boaters. We decided to have a
My Boat Washed Away in the Whitchurch Canal Breach – Narrowboat Home
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
We talk to Flek, whose life was turned upside down during the Whitchurch canal breach that occurred on the 22 December 2025. Two narrowboat homes ended up at the bottom of a huge crater created by the breach and one
What to do when the only certainty is uncertainty
Pickingupducks
2025 has been been a dramatic year living afloat on the inland waterways. It started on New Year’s Day with a large breach of the Bridgewater canal at Little Bollington in Cheshire, a breach which is still being repaired. It
26 December 2025
Hopwas
NB Harnser
Woke to a lovely sunny morning, not a cloud in the sky, very little wind and a frost. around 10 am Neil and Linda came by and gave us a wave, we shall see them later. We set off about
Back at the Anchor ... and France
NB Percy
The start of July I took myself off for a mid week coffee at Wetton Mill cafe. I'd been harbouring a thought about doing a bit more bike camping .... good old Ebay and a state of the art tent
25 December 2025
Major Canal Breach Update – Christmas 2025
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
An update from the breach at Whitchurch that happened on Monday 22 December. As daylight hours show us the devastation on the Llangollen canal after the major breach, teams of engineers are on the scene, can they save the boat
Fradley Village
NB Harnser
Merry Christmas to all my readers The plan for today was to just sit and chill, but by half ten we had an itchy tiller so set off for Fradley Junction, the weather was actually sunny and clear but only
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
NB Floydtilla
[Source][1] [1]: https://floydtilla.co.uk/2025/12/25/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year/
He’s Been!!!
NB Oleanna
*25th December 2025* We’ve obviously been good this year as we all woke to very full stockings this morning. There may not gave been any Quality Street, but there’s still Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, even though one of them is minty!
24 December 2025
Ready!
NB Oleanna
*24th December 2025* **The Robin of the waterways is our Christmas card this year.** **We’d like to wish all our readers, friends and family a very** **Happy Christmas!** ***He’s not been yet!*** Tilly is keeping an eye out for the
Huddlesford
NB Harnser
Much brighter but cooler this morning with lots of blue in the sky and a bit of sunshine. A late start because we overslept a bit for some reason. Again just as we were about to set off 2 boats
It was too much of an ask!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Dec 23rd Moorings by Bridge 2 were so very, very quiet. In fact, our plan to get away early went by the wayside as it was after 8 am when we woke. With 18 miles to do, it was a
How much water is in my tank (Possible Solution)
NB Floydtilla
This is the eternal question normally just before taking a shower or putting on the washing machine. On a boat first hired we had a water gauge, but it did not work very well, most of the time it did
Whitchurch Canal Breach Update – The Aftermath
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
An update from the breach at Whitchurch that happened on Monday 22 December. Shocking footage of the aftermath and we speak to the Chief Operations Officer of the Canal and River Trust. How long will the repairs take and will
A couple of canals visited and a bigger boat
NB Percy
Another good month of getting out and about which started with a few days on the boat. The Anchor is our local when on the boat. Its a nice walk - about half an hour down the canal. We like
23 December 2025
Early starts and long days.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
21st Dec Gosh, I can't remember the last time we got away early, 8 am, we pulled pins and crept past the line of boats. Our reasoning was to get through Braunston Tunnel without meeting anyone. This tunnel is notorious
Fazeley Junction
NB Harnser
Another murky day, we could plainly see the trains passing but didn’t hear them at all, it shows what a difference wind direction makes. It was very slightly cooler but felt quite a bit colder, strange. This week I have
Glastonbury
NB Percy
We liked Glastonbury, we have a good bunch of friends who ride motorbikes and offer up the odd meet and so it was in May. A meet for fish and chips ad a beer or two in Glastonbury. If I