Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
4 April 2026
Mind maps – mapping the past for the future
Pickingupducks
Looking through the round window to what lies ahead How does your immediate world look? In these times of uncertainty it can be invaluable to focus on the minutiae of life, the things we can affect, and to ensure others
3 April 2026
End of an era
NB Chertsey
If anyone had looked at this moribund blog in the past couple of weeks, they would have seen that my ‘Count Up’ ticker of how long I have owned Chertsey had disappeared. This is because I no longer own her,
2 April 2026
Furry Purry Cat. 26th March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 7* **Quite a view** There were many boats in the loch this morning, mostly battleship grey. What a fantastic view to wake up to every morning. Christine made us scrambled duck eggs and bacon for breakfast, followed
1 April 2026
White Tops And Red Tails. 25th March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 6* Time for us to turn around, after all there wasn’t much further west we’d be able to go. Maybe northwards would have been nice. We’ve a friend on the Isle of Skye, but that would have
31 March 2026
Braunston March 2026
NB Huffler
Well the dreadful year 2025 that Margaret had has finally ended. Admitted to six different hospitlals, 2 Cardioversions, and a pacemaker inserted. She should have had heart node ablations at same time but she came round before the pacemaker wires
We are the Mods!
The Sumpners Afloat
**Modifications to Vera – already!** **MOD #1 – Up-Plating** Whilst Vera – our Swift Voyager 594 is practically perfect in every way, there were just a couple of things that we wanted to change. The weight was the first. Motorhome
Quite Scottish. 24th March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 5* Morag was out taking Fig for a walk when we got up to have breakfast. The weather was really quite Scottish, but the radar suggested there might be a few breaks in the rain, we kept
30 March 2026
Lochs and Locks. 23rd March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 4* **Loch** Time to move on, time to say goodbye to Anne and Alasdair until later in the year. The sun was almost out as we reversed off their drive. First stop was Morrisons to top up
29 March 2026
Over The Top. 22nd March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 3* Breakfast followed by the Geraghty zoom. We tried using two laptops for the zoom, but sadly the sound echoed so we all got cosy on a sofa to chat to everyone elsewhere. As I’m writing this
28 March 2026
Offering thanks to ‘The Schemer’
Pickingupducks
We are only here moored this week in Derbyshire because 260 years ago an Act of Parliament brought into reality the vision of a self-taught engineer united with the foresight of two wealthy businessmen. James Brindley surveying Etruria Without James
27 March 2026
Our Move from Narrowboat to Dry Land and We Are Conned
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
We are on dry land after selling our narrowboat and we are staying in a friend’s apartment in Whitchurch. We get locked out and conned, but what are the benefits of living on dry land? Plus when will our new
It was lovely until it wasn't
NB Percy
Woke up to a much different day but a cold boat, lots of lovely sunshine and no wind. I've been taking logs from home as they heat the boat quicker so I set to getting the fire going. Tea and
26 March 2026
10 tips to improve your tacking in sailing
Insure4Boats
Tacking is one of the most important manoeuvres in sailing. Whether you’re cruising along the coast or racing competitively, tacking allows you to move efficiently against the wind and maintain control of your boat. In this guide, we detail how
Waitangi
NB Wakahuia
Well, Waitangi did not disappoint in more ways than one! We stayed at Waitangi Holiday Park where we have stayed before - it's not fancy, but it's clean, sites are spacious and the people are friendly. And it's about 800
First turn of the key
NB Percy
Back on board for a few days - it'll not be a weather related blog but it sure was interesting for the last couple of days. Sun rain, hail snow..... and impressive westerly winds that turned the canal into a
24 March 2026
Off home again.
NB What A Lark
So after a couple of nights here we set off to Sandon Lock, this is only the third lock north of Great Haywood. As all Boaters in the UK will know there are precious few boats that are red, but
22 March 2026
Banbury cut in half - plus Herbie sea trails
NB Herbie
Banbury cut in half? What's he on about? Is it just click bait? Well I'll explain that at the end. Meanwhile for the first time in many months Herbie has left the marina. I don't know who was more nervous
Up And Down And Round. 21st March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 2.* A lovely sunny day, although the view across to Greenock was quite hazy, but it was a perfect day to go sightseeing. **These three woofers were well in control of their motorhome** We climbed into Anne
21 March 2026
Test of CanalMaps.co.uk – Boat Log
NB Floydtilla
This a quick test of the Canal Maps Boat Log to see if we can embed a map on a different website, the map is completely dynamic, any updates will update here as well. Try pressing a few of the
It's been a while but here we are...
NB What A Lark
Dearest Reader, Hello and how are you? Haven't the last five months flown by? Well it has for us, but that could be to do with being in New Zealand for a month when you all were here enjoying storms
It is just FAB in action
Pickingupducks
FAB aka Fading Affect Bias has been enacted on board nb Preaux in just a few days. Within hours of the flood warnings for navigation being lifted and the repairs to a lock ahead being complete, the sun came out
20 March 2026
It Started With A Purr. 20th March
NB Oleanna
*Road Trip Day 1* ***Yesterday I got exceedingly excited. She, was, packing!*** ***Did this mean?! Could this mean?! We’d be heading back to the world where the outside moves? I climbed into the bag cringing at the thought of the
Time to Leave Narrowboat Morning Star We say Goodbye to the Canals for Now
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
It’s finally here, time to move off our narrowboat, Morning Star, as we move to dry land and wait for our new boat build. We have lived on the canals for nearly six years, but it’s time to move off,
17 March 2026
Waking up a sleeping boat.
NB Herbie
Well here we are back on board. Herbie seems to have survived that long wet wet wet winter and we're reasonably shipshape. We may even venture out down the canal later this week although we've abandoned any ideas of taking
16 March 2026
Compensating For Nothing. 15th March
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh / Red Hill Marina* **Just look at Scarborough** **in the sunshine** Life continues in Scarborough. The sun has finally shown it’s face and Tilly has finally woken up from hibernation, finding sun puddles to help top up her solar.
Ruapekapeka Pā before Waitangi
NB Wakahuia
Our next overnight was to be at Waitangi - a fair way north - on through Whangarei and bypassing a lot of lovely bays and beaches, but time was limited! However, David and I decided that Julia MUST visit Ruapekapeka
14 March 2026
Living in yesterday today
Pickingupducks
Guess what – we are still moored on the River Soar, and because we are back in flood again it seems we might be waiting a little longer! John Flower, a renowned landscape and architectural artist of the 18th and
13 March 2026
Customs Hold up Our New Narrowboat Build – Will it be Ready on Time?
Narrowboat Life Unlocked
It’s our last two weeks living on our narrowboat as we wait for a new boat being built and I fly over to the Czech Republic to see the progress. Have we left it too late to start packing and
12 March 2026
It rained in Ruakaka
NB Wakahuia
At Ruakaka, which is a fairly long drive from Takapuna, it rained a lot and hard, with very exciting thunder and lightning. We knew the weather was going to be pants so had opted for sites below the wind line.
10 March 2026
New Canal Mapping Web site
NB Floydtilla
Since January we have been developing new software for our maps. It is all new code, with thousands of extra locations already added. We have approximately 1,000 items on our fix list, and thousands more locations scouted out and ready
7 March 2026
Changes
Pickingupducks
The world is full of gloom and uncertainty but our own small world has changed completely in these past few days too. A week ago after a a day of dry towpaths and sunshine, the evening turned to rain –
6 March 2026
The search has begun
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
March 6th It's been 2 days since our return to the Mill, the final push having happened on Wednesday morning. With only three more locks to do, and having set off after breakfast, it was lovely to finally ascend Langley
3 March 2026
Breaking news
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
March 3rd STOP PRESS... Midland Chandlers to close all their shops. It will be an online service only. We got this information directly from the horses mouth when Ian phoned to see if they had a particular oil switch and
2 March 2026
The package has arrived and we are off
NB Wakahuia
The night before we picked Julia up from Auckland Airport, we stayed at Karaka - not too far away, which was necessary because we needed to be at the airport just after 5.30am. But best laid plans and all that
28 February 2026
Home Moorings
NB Harnser
More rain over night but dry when we were ready to leave with light winds. We have seen quite a few boats on the move today. We passed this group of five ex-working boats that I mentioned yesterday.[[DSCF1449]][1] CRT volunteers
Marching on amid uncertainty and warring factions
Pickingupducks
March – the start of meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On the 20th of the month, the Spring Equinox or in the Pagan calendar, Ostara, night and day will balance. It is also a time of flurries of movement
27 February 2026
All Dry. 23rd February
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh/Redhill Marina* **Scarbados** We’d been feeling a little unconnected to Oleanna. Decorating the house ready for our next lodger, appointments and various extra jobs have been keeping us very busy. Add to this the extra distance to reach Redhill Marina
Flecknoe Fields Farm
NB Harnser
What a day/ night we have had we have had almost 9mm of today. It was fine drizzle when we set off and heavy before we reached Napton Junction where we turned right down to Calcutt Locks. We winded just
The 10 best sailing books for avid boaters
Insure4Boats
Reading a great sailing book can be just as rewarding as sailing in perfect weather conditions. Whether you’re planning a long offshore adventure, hoping to improve your sailing skills, or dreaming of your next voyage, the right books can educate,
26 February 2026
A fraught day!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Feb 26th Talk about a restless night! On my mind, will we or won't we be able to leave! At 5.45 am I got up to check the river app and sure enough, it was down to 1.42 and still
Puddle Bank Braunston
NB Harnser
Not such a nice day today, no sun and fully overcast with rain forecast for the afternoon. Boat movement was a bit sparse meeting 3 at Hillmorton and then one towing another on the Puddle Banks. CRT have done lots
25 February 2026
Is the wait over?
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
Feb 25th. Day 40 The last two days have felt more like the start of Spring, warm and sunny and ideal cruising conditions...now if only we could actually leave and get on our way! Yesterday we had the first of
Newbold
NB Harnser
The weather just keeps getting better, a few more boats on the move today. A lone CRT man is hard at work painting the M69 bridge, when we saw him he was just walking back from his truck packed at
24 February 2026
Halfway Sutton Stop to Ansty
NB Harnser
[[IMG_20260223_194809]][1]Last night we ate at [Turmeric Gold][2] in Spon Street, somewhere we will definitely visit again. Well worth the walk. Its probably the nicest Indian restaurant we have ever been in. a really lovely setting. After last nights dinner I
Tenths. 21st February
NB Oleanna
*Scarboreugh / Redhill Marina* February this year marks a couple of tenth anniversaries for us. On the 14th February Oleanna’s baseplate was laid at Tim Tylers in Newcastle Under Lyme. We visited her on the 15th and got to stand
23 February 2026
Coventry Basin
NB Harnser
A little late setting off as I had to ring Nation Express to rearrange our travel to London in June as they have altered the timetable since we booked it. Through to their call centre with 5 options, music and
22 February 2026
Marston Junction
NB Harnser
First job this morning was into the café at 9-30am for a full English, well almost. One full, one veggie and share the meaty bits abut. This meant we were[[IMG_20260222_100856]][1] a bit late getting away on what seamed more like
21 February 2026
Sutton Wharf
NB Harnser
Last night was the quietest overnight mooring we have had in a long time, not even a dawn chorus. We woke to a lovely spring like sunny day and shortly before we were ready to leave, first a boat came
From joy to sunken dreams – in a single week
Pickingupducks
Life has been reflected in the weather this week. Living so close to the elements, to nature makes us feel part of the environment around us. A single ray of sunshine above the floods this week has had a ridiculously
20 February 2026
20 years - 6 marinas. All with pros and cons. Which is best?
NB Herbie
Herbie has moved home a few times in 20 years. Which did we like most? Let's list them first: 1 **Stanstead Abbots** Lee navigation just south of Ware (Where? Ware). This is where we bought Herbie and we had to