Blogs

All aboard!

NB Herbie

Yes dear reader, we are still alive (not sure about 'and kicking') and Herbie is till afloat and we are on board for a week. CRT promised an October 1 update on the closure of the canal hereabouts and true

Ten Pound Pies. 23rd September

NB Oleanna

*Opposite Kiln Pontoon, Newark to Kiln Pontoon, Newark* Whilst having our morning cuppa in bed we could hear a boat across the way on the pontoon heading off. A peek out of the front blinds, it was the smaller of

Out Of Our Hands

NB Oleanna

**21st September** *Hazelford Lock* Today was a work day for me, a couple of panto meetings to fill the day. However the day started off with conversations with Chris who hosts the blog. His servers were having some problems, we’d

Cruising Back To Blogging.

NB Oleanna

Here’s hoping our blogging woes have all been sorted. One thing that will be a bit different for a while is that Mick will be updating our blog roll manually, as and when, rather than it being automatic. We also

The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 10

The Sumpners Afloat

**Week 10 – Sep 21st** **to 27th – Take me back to dear Old Blighty ** And yes – I can sing that song, verse and chorus! **Day 62 – Monday** – Our last Monday was a beautiful one –

Pont à Bar (boat painting)

NB Chalkhill Blue

**Monday 21 September** ──────────────────────────────── [][1] ──────────────────────────────── Feeling good to be back on board ──────────────────────────────── As is often the case when we book tickets to and from France, we forget the significance of the day we’re travelling. We often inadvertently find

Fabled travel and ways to live life

Pickingupducks

Aesop the famed Ancient Greek fabulist was said to have told the tale of the hare and the tortoise. One so fast, so fleet of foot, and one so slow to be ridiculed. We learn such fables as children, but

Day 72 of our 2026 Adventure – Return to Droitwich Spa Marina

NB Floydtilla

We start the day moored just opposite The Queens Head, after a quick poo walk and some breakfast, we started the last day of our trip. It feels odd that we may be back in the Marina tonight. While we

Day 71 of our 2026 Adventure – The 30 Lock Lass

NB Floydtilla

Today we are doing the Tardebigge Lock Flight! It is the longest flight of locks in the UK, comprising 30 narrow locks on a two-and-a-quarter-mile (3.6 km) stretch of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. But before that Obi has his

Day 70 of our 2026 Adventure – Three Tunnels

NB Floydtilla

Overnight this was a noisy mooring, it is very close to the main road and the railway line. We also had some people step on the boat after midnight, but Obi barking soon sent them away. In the morning he

Day 69 of our 2026 Adventure – Selly Oak

NB Floydtilla

After a bit of restless night, Obi did not seem to be feeling very well, we spent a bit of time talking to Vets, but in the end we could do nothing for him until the morning. Once the morning

Another day on Maud

NB Harnser

We were travelling as passengers on the Wherry Maud from Sutton Staithe back to her base at the Forsythe Wherry Yard at Ludham. The wherry was due to leave Sutton at 1030, but first we had to drive to Womack

The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 9

The Sumpners Afloat

**Week 9 – Sep 14th** **to 20th – Our last full week** **Day 55 – Monday** – as is customary for a Monday it, was a “staying where we were” day, so that Paul could have a good start to

"Wot! No supper??"

NB What A Lark

So the next morning was bright and sunny. Not too windy in fact just right a bit like Goldilocks's porriage. An easy run from Wombourne and the Bratch locks through to Swindon where we both got another soaking! Here in

Day 68 of our 2026 Adventure – Pump Out then to Birmingham

NB Floydtilla

Today started with Obi’s poo walk along the canal. Then we turned the boat around and headed back to the pump-out point at Black Country Living Museum. This time when we arrived there was only one boat moored and the

Site Problems

NB Oleanna

Due to problems that our web site host is aware of the blog is running very slowly. It may take some time to fix so for the time being we wont be posting. We’ll save everything up for when things

How Did They Do That?! 18th September

NB Oleanna

*Sainsburys Nottingham to Stoke Lock, River Trent* **HMS Titani** I was expecting a phone call from the panto set builder this morning. I got my drawings out from the cupboard and sketchbook to make notes, have to say over the

Wet Wet Wet

NB What A Lark

David was up and away this morning way before I was awake, but not before he'd done last nights washing up. There is this time when he is awake and it's not light enough to go cycling. Marvellous really, when

One long day

NB What A Lark

So with the threat of rain fast diminishing from the weather satellite app that David actually pays money for; (He's very sniffy about weather apps in general and has active and ongoing discussions with other golfers who try to tell

Slowing To Stop. 17th September

NB Oleanna

*New Boots Footbridge to Sainsburys* Last night we’d given our cruising plans some thought. Our original aim had been to head to York for a get together with an old friend and family. We’d considered it possible in the time

That Spring Feeling. 16th September

NB Oleanna

*Redhill Marina to New Boots Footbridge 18, Beeston Canal* Now that Tilly is sitting in the windows she’s been eyeing up the grassy bank alongside the mooring here. There will be friends in there, but there is also a wasps

A new year and time for a review

Pickingupducks

It’s the start of another year, a time to take stock and look ahead. That applies to us all, and particularly to us aboard nb Preaux our floating home and office. Six years ago we set off saying we would

Keeping Things Crossed. 15th September

NB Oleanna

*Redhill Marina* The advantage of being on hook up is hot water first thing in the morning, so a nice hot shower was enjoyed. My morning was filled with trying to catch up on the blog and making phone calls

Oh it's all gone terribly wrong

NB What A Lark

Finally the day arrived for departure. I'd been so looking forward to us being on WaL. David packed the car up, made the rolls, we always have egg mayonnaise rolls or sandwiches on car journeys, always a treat, the sun

Windows To Cat Mode. 14th September

NB Oleanna

*Redhill Marina* Mick was up early and heading off with the van back to Scarborough. He had a couple of chores to do in town, then drop things off at the house, things that we only use to move back

Home Mooring

NB Harnser

Last night we ate at the barley Mow, Pie and Mash with peas. The pies are home made and not a soggy bottom to be found.Real mash, not powder. This morning we were away a little earlier as I needed

Repaint Week 13 W/C 7th September, part 2

NB Oleanna

*Redhill Marina/Scarboreugh* Saturday morning, clothes packing. Finding a bag big enough to pack our dirty washing was one job. I’d made a list of things not to forget, the Christmas hamper, Tilly Too, my scene painting straight edge and some

Newbold

NB Harnser

Well not a great deal to report today, a little rain first thing, enough to wet the deck but fine when we left at 10. As the day progressed the weather improved and we again saw lots of hire boats.

How to work out your course to steer (CTS)

Insure4Boats

When you’re sailing or navigating a boat, pointing the bow straight at your destination doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get there. Wind can push you sideways, tide or current can carry you off course, and your boat could make a little

Repaint Week 13 W/C 7th September, part one

NB Oleanna

*Redhill Marina/Scarboreugh* Monday. Last week we’d forgotten to come away from Oleanna with the correct dimensions of the diesel cap so that we could get the correctly sized version. A message was sent to Tom which also enquired as to

The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 8

The Sumpners Afloat

**Week 8 – Sep 8th** **to 13th – Camels in the mist** **Days 48 & 49 – Monday/Tuesday** – we had a very quiet day on Monday, just enjoying the peace and solitude of Oursel-Maison. Well – I did! Paul

I'm back I'm back as a matter of fact...

NB What A Lark

Well Reader, It's been a while but here I am back from New Zealand where I decamped to in July to help our youngest daughter after the birth of their second baby. People have said to me that they hoped

Ansty

NB Harnser

Well it happened again, just getting set to go and a hire boat comes passed, then a boat comes the other way, then a second hire boat from behind. Now its really thick fine drizzle, the type that soaks you

You’re The Cream, Remastered! 14th September

NB Oleanna

Well here you all are, the reveal of Oleanna’s new livery. Apologies to those who may have tried the link earlier today only for it not to have worked. My proofreader was absent this morning to try the link without

You’re The Cream. 14th September

NB Oleanna

Well here you all are, the reveal of Oleanna’s new livery. I really hope this works. If the sound is turned down, please turn it up! > [ > View this post on Instagram > ][1] More photos and videos

Burton Hastings

NB Harnser

Yesterday afternoon Diana spotted a wet bit of carpet next to where the water pump is mounted in its own tray to catch any leaks, it also has a water alarm that hadn't sounded because the ray was dry. There

Sutton Cheney

NB Harnser

A little after 10 we went and said goodbye to Mike at the ACA shop and donated some more tat. Then I walked back to the boat to set off while Diana opened the bridge/lock gate, its bit of a

Paneful reflections

Pickingupducks

There’s a fragile, colourful theme running throughout our lives. It’s a theme that the narrowboat part of our life, just one of the many beautiful homes we’ve lived in, now takes us from one to another discovery of new, exciting,

Snarestone New section

NB Harnser

Bit of an early call this morning when the CO alarm, right by my head decided it wolf go into alarm. No idea why as the only sauce of CO was Diana and I breathing, still we went back to

Market Bosworth

NB Harnser

As planned we ate at The Lime Kilns last night, a very friendly staffed pub and reasonable prices with good service. This morning we were a little late getting away, the mooring was much quieter than I expected and it

Lime Kilns, Ashby canal

NB Harnser

Again two very nice meals last night at the Greyhound, they had a specials board on with Faggots top of the list so I didn’t look any further. We had a little rain overnight but it was gone by the

Coventry Canal Hawkesbury Junction

NB Harnser

I think we had light rain most of the night and it was raining when we got up, so no rush to leave. it started to ease just after 11am and I had another fiddle round with the magnet for

The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 7

The Sumpners Afloat

**Week 7 – 31st August – Sep 6th ** **– through little Belgium to France ** **Day 41 & 42 – Monday** – and a Bank Holiday to boot! The final day of the Great Repositioning Weekend. And to be

All Oaks Wood

NB Harnser

As I said last night we were moored just above the Hillmorton Locks, at 8-30 this morning a boat came by and moored ahead of us. We were on deck chatting about quarter to ten when a boat comes by

Hillmorton Top Lock

NB Harnser

You may recall that last trip ended slightly prematurely last week due to a burnt out 24 volt isolator, so the first job when we got onboard was to fit the new switch. I chopped the old one open and

Grand Union Canal , Braunston - painting and repairing click to read more

NB Huffler

Now we start to repair all the damage done to boat this year before we go into dry dock in early October. If we can get the prep done before going in it saves a lot of time once we

Shocked into sense this week

Pickingupducks

Hmm…that’s low… Sometimes we all need a stark reminder to stop and take stock. This week has brought us some truly awful reminders. Routine can act as a blinkers for us, so that we fail to see the big picture,

Areandare For Sale

NB Areandare

The Sumpners Ashore – 2026 Tour 6

The Sumpners Afloat

**Week 6 – August 24th – 30th ** – **Leaving the Baltic coast** **and heading to France.** **Day 33 – Monday **– and an unusual Monday at that. It was a moving day. We were leaving lovely Rügen and heading

Home Moorings

NB Harnser

Well bit of a disaster and a change of plans. Yesterday evening I was sitting watching TV and Diana was just completing cooking dinner when the screen went blank and the induction hob fan fell silent. First thought the invertor