Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
15 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 15
NB Briar Rose
The strong winds arrived right on cue at about 8 o’clock last night, but seemed to calm down a bit overnight. We’d feared having trouble sleeping (recalling the terrible night we had in the storm [at Salford Quays a few
A Pawfect Boat Guest. 12th September
NB Oleanna
*Lowes Bridge 15* A quick sweep through and tidy up this morning before logging into a production meeting for panto. Roses, frames, lists, all sorts were discussed, if anyone knows a drummer who’d like to be in Chippy over Christmas
14 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 14
NB Briar Rose
With a forecast that said rain from late morning and strong winds from this evening, we thought we’d be best to get going sharpish today — so we were pulling away from our mooring at 8.30 in dry conditions without
Grand Union Canal - Braunston to Bridge 100 on the South Oxford Canal
NB Huffler
This morning the weather is still holding so we are going to reverse back to marina main entrance, turn, fill with water and head off out into the countryside near br 100 on the South Oxford canal We know we
Dashing. 11th September
NB Oleanna
*Lowes Bridge 15* Tilly requested to go out this morning, before any shore leave was to be granted we got her to walk up and down the boat to see how that limp was doing. Heading towards the stern and
13 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 13
NB Briar Rose
There was a lot of rain overnight, but it was pretty bright this morning when we set off at about 9 — past The Navigation, where we had an excellent dinner last night. Adrian had the lamb shank and I
North Oxford Canal Dunchurch Pools to Braunston
NB Huffler
So early to bed last night after a very long day. This morning it's very odd as we are moored outside of the marina. Not ready to go in yet. Tony still has the roof to paint. The weather holds
Put Your Paws Up. 10th September
NB Oleanna
*Lowes Bridge 15* Limp Limp Limp. ***I’m fine, really, I’m fine. You have to let me out.*** No we don’t! It was suggested to Tilly that she should take the weight off her paws today and put them up. Gentle
Free food and well-being
Pickingupducks
There is little as rewarding for mind and body as a foraging stroll, ideally for me with a dog, along towpath hedgerows. Crab apples This year despite the drought, many fruits are early and so plentiful boughs are groaning under
12 September 2025
And the solar panels are up
NB Wakahuia
Yesterday the solar guys came back - only 3 of them this time. And boy, did they work hard! They'd been here on Monday and Tuesday - rain on Tuesday but they worked through. Yesterday they had to finish putting
Welsh waters: Day 12
NB Briar Rose
Another day of sunshine and showers, and shortly after we set off at about 8.15 there was a very vivid example of what happens when you get both together. We arrived at Frankton Junction less than half an hour later,
How to use our maps
NB Floydtilla
Our maps are designed to help you find the things you need on the UK Canal & River network. We don’t maps locks, bridges etc, but we do map things like Pump Out & Elsan Stations, Marina and Moorings, Pubs,
Hoop La
NB Herbie
The best ideas are always stolen. Adam has given me food for thought about shedding rain off the rear deck tonneau cover we plan to make. Thanks Adam. Of course he knows more than most of us about narrowboat designs,
Legs. 9th September
NB Oleanna
*Mercia Marina to Lowes Bridge 15* An hours shore leave before we pushed off this morning. I’ve been having difficulty accessing documents in the Chippy shared folder for panto, so some emails needed to be sent about it so I
11 September 2025
Grand Union Canal - Croxley Green to Dunchurch Pools, North Oxford canal
NB Huffler
Up at 5.30am. Transport lorry booked for 8.30am. Lift back in at Dunchurch pools on the North Oxford Canal some 70 miles away, around 1pm. That's the plan .... does any thing ever go according to plan ? Still got
Welsh waters: Day 11
NB Briar Rose
Ir wasn’t supposed to rain until about 11 today, but when we woke up it was already coming down — although with bright sunshine at the same time. We walked up to Tesco, as we’d found we had more room
Yet another knee update
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
11th September The physio did phone back last Monday afternoon and seemed totally unconcerned about my fears. She ruled out nerve damage, that is very rare apparently, and said it was all to do with the muscles healing. She mentioned
Just A New Pair Of Glasses. 8th September
NB Oleanna
*Near Mercia Marina* **Crossing Scarborough Bridge in York** Mick was up and off very early this morning heading to Willington Station to catch trains up to Scarborough. Going with him to the hospital last week had been reassuring to me,
10 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 10
NB Briar Rose
It was unexpectedly sunny first thing, so after breakfast we went for a walk while the going was good. From further down the towpath we took a path which led uphill and through woodland. It came out eventually opposite the
Grand Designs mark II
NB Herbie
Sometimes it takes two goes to get something right. Just ask Spacex! Three years ago we made a rain cover for Herbie's side hatch doors. Here it is: Good quality waterproof fabric with the cunning ruse of sewing magnets into
Grand Union Canal - Lot Mead Lock to Bridgewater Basin Watford.
NB Huffler
Only 1 lock now to our lift out destination at P&S Marine at Watford. Spent a couple of days here with our travel partners on Moksha and their 3 beautiful cats. This one is the star, and she knows it
Susie Sunday. 7th September
NB Oleanna
*Willington Visitor Mooring to half a mile onwards* Mick’s sisters were otherwise engaged this morning, conferences, giving speeches, looking round churches with American friends or sleeping, so there was no Geraghty zoom. It turned out to be just as well
9 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 9
NB Briar Rose
Another sunny morning, but it’s been a bit breezy. We made another dent in the washing pile before setting off, and got under way about 9. The first section seems quite slow because of the number of moored boats, but
Two Faced. 6th September
NB Oleanna
*Coach and Horses Bridge 25 to Willington Visitor Moorings* Shore leave whilst we had breakfast, then when Tilly came home the rear hatch was closed, we wanted to be moving on into Willington today. We could leave the chap and
8 September 2025
Grand Union Canal - Norwood bottom to just above Copper Mill lock
NB Huffler
Off to Bulls Bridge and probably moor near Harefield. I feel almost normal today so obviously the meds doing their job. We are on schedule for out date at Croxley Green on 10th September. Entering Norwood top lock Rising in
Welsh waters: Day 8
NB Briar Rose
This was another day when we seemed to get our timings right. We got a wash load going before setting off, and untied at a little after 9.15. It was a lovely sunny morning. A couple of bridges further on
Thinking about Ed Shiers today
NB Wakahuia
We are currently having solar panels fitted to the roof of our villa - 15 panels which is slightly more than we had on nb Waka Huia... Instead of it being just Ed fitting them, here we have a crew
Oh Oh Severn
The Sumpners Afloat
**1st to 7th September – Upton upon Severn to Droitwich** **Spa Marina** I hope I didn’t offend anyone by my rather extreme view of the Severn? It’s just for fun! Mostly….. It was nice to see some commercial shipping on
Knee update
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Oh dear, I have been very lax in keeping up to date with the blog. It was a harsh, gentle reminder from Marilyn asking what was happening that spurred me on to do one! So here goes.... this was my
Rubbish Route. 5th September
NB Oleanna
*Coach and Horses Bridge 25* With quite a bit of rubbish accumulated on board we decided to have a walk into Willington together. Mick is aiming to do more exercise, I slowed my pace, we still managed to do 21
7 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 7
NB Briar Rose
We had a lovely evening with Helen and Andy last night, and Whitchurch turns out to be a good place for a visit. The roads leading here are pretty good, and there’s a little canal and country park car park
Grand Union Canal - above Copper Mill lock to - above Lot Mead Lock
NB Huffler
No shortage of water here on the lower GU. A fuel boat was moored on the lock moorings, painting his boat. He should know better! 2 cygnets watch as we exit the lock A moring available at Tesco's at Batchworth.
Shuffling Through X-Ray. 4th September
NB Oleanna
*Clay Mill Aqueduct to Coach and Horses Bridge 25* Should I go with Mick to the hospital this morning? He seems okay, but is he really?! He isn’t bumping into things. I questioned myself, would I be better off doing
6 September 2025
Grand Union Canal Brentford to Norwood bottom lock
NB Huffler
Today I am almost 75% better and able to cope with the flight from Brentford to Norwood where we hope to moor just before Norwood bottom lock on the park . Sadly not able to work boat and take pics.
Welsh waters: Day 6
NB Briar Rose
Today had turned into a non moving day (thanks to some discussions last evening — of which more later) so we were in no rush this morning. After breakfast we made a trip to Aldi for shopping - walking along
River Thames Kingson to Brentford
NB Huffler
Waking up this morning I am beginning to feel a little better so hoping for the best. It's never really clear what time you should arrive at Teddington for Brentford. They sent us out with boats going to Limehouse. 1
All’s Well. 3rd September
NB Oleanna
*Shobnall Fields to Clay Mills Aqueduct* **About to wind** Tilly was allowed some shore leave this morning whilst we had a slow start. All of a sudden our phones were ringing, an old friend checking on us and a change
By narrowboat to America for world guidance
Pickingupducks
Travelling to the United States of America by narrowboat is not something I ever thought we would be able to do, but this summer, we did just that. We travelled down the River Thames to the Berkshire/Surrey border, moored our
5 September 2025
River Thames -Windsor to Kingston
NB Huffler
So time to turn and make our way down to Teddington. There is a replica Hawker Hurricane aircraft here to commemorate its designer, Sir Sydney Camm, a Windsor resident So after a relaxing couple of days it was time to
Welsh waters: Day 5
NB Briar Rose
After all the rain yesterday, today was totally different as we woke to bright sunshine. We got some washing going after breakfast, and set off a bit before 9. The first three locks are all individual ones. We never seem
4 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 4
NB Briar Rose
With heavy rain forecast from around 11, we got ourselves under way in good time, with Wrenbury church clock just striking 8.30. Adrian walked down and wound up the first bridge. He then walked on to the electric lift bridge
3 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 3
NB Briar Rose
We really liked the Baddiley moorings: quiet, dark, and we were on our own. There was rain last night and it was pretty miserable-looking when we got up — but as it wasn’t actually raining we decided to do a
2 September 2025
It's been a long time coming
NB Wakahuia
I often think, as things are occurring, 'I could write a post about this.' And then the moment passes and I don't write about it. I am doing a fair bit of writing though, just not for the blog. Back
Welsh waters: Day 2
NB Briar Rose
We thought we might look out for the northern lights as we went to bed last night, but it was unexpectedly chucking it down, so no chance of seeing anything. This morning was a beautiful one, still and sunny. I
1 September 2025
Welsh waters: Day 1
NB Briar Rose
We are going to head up to Llangollen, as we haven’t been all the way to the end this year, and it’s one of the few places still left open to us! But it looks as though we’ll take our
Is a shiny roof a good thing?
NB Herbie
Is a glossy boat roof a bad thing because of the sun's reflections dazzling the helmsman? I'd be glad if anyone can enlighten me. We've always gone for a matt or satin surface, mostly raddle, but I have a suspicion
Thank You for Being a Friend
The Sumpners Afloat
**25th to 31st August to – Chadbury (R. Avon) to Upton upon Severn (R. Severn)** August Bank Holiday Monday was forecast to be hot, and as soon as we got up we knew the forecast was correct. This was in
New Cooking Gadget for the boat – Monsieur Cuisine smart
NB Floydtilla
New in Lidl is the Monsieur Cuisine smart, which is a cheap Lidl version of the Vorwerk Thermomix TM6, which at around £1600 is well outside my budget, the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine smart comes in at £299 reduced from £399