Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
24 May 2026
Calverley
NB Harnser
We set off heading south for a bit crossing the aqueduct, it had lot of restoration work done on it a few years back but they left all the wear from the towing lines as its part of the history.[[DSCF1700]][1]
Grand Union Canal - Leicester Arm onwards to Kilby Bridge services
NB Huffler
At 6.30a.m and a cloudless blue sky And beautiful still waters. Mr Swan on guard, with Mrs Swan on her nest in the reeds behind. The plan is to do the 6 locks to Kilby Bridge Services before the sun
23 May 2026
Nantwich Embankment
NB Harnser
We were just about to set off when what happens, 3 boats show up so we waited until they were all gone before pushing off, the last one, a hire boat caught me out as they shouted “Pip and Mick
Grand Union Canal , Leicester arm to Newton Harcourt
NB Huffler
Setting off this morning towards Leicester. Not that we will get there today as its 24 locks and 18 miles It's already in the low 20's and threatens to be around 25/26 degrees today. Not looking forward to these temperatures.
Competition & crisis has us crossing everything
Pickingupducks
The narrowboat marathon has arrived. Over 30 hours of the Bank Holiday weekend 27 boats have signed up to move for a whole 24 of those hours taking in as much of the Birmingham Canal Navigation System (BCNS) as possible.
22 May 2026
Calverley
NB Harnser
A nice peaceful night away from the noise, we didn’t even hear the trains. The temperature was in the 20s when we set off at 10am. and hit 32°C at one point. We arrived at the first lock just as
21 May 2026
Tattenhall
NB Harnser
Not the best night sleep last night, it was a lovely night and a group of females were singing[[IMG_20260520_234753]][1] somewhere, A little later it was the police cars howling around. After that it went quiet for a few hours until
Grand Union Leicester Arm - Foxton Locks
NB Huffler
**Foxton Locks** are ten canal locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five locks, located on the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal, about 3 miles west of Market Harborough. . They are named after the nearby village of
20 May 2026
Grand Union Leicester arm - Watford locks to Foxton locks
NB Huffler
Setting off the weather was still cold and grey. Before very long we came to Crick Tunnel - clear and straight Exiting the tunnel the weather seemed a little brighter - maybe because of the darkness in the tunnel !
And we return to good old blighty.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 17th. Going Home Groan...why do we do it to ourselves! Many a sore head today, thank goodness for pain killers! Thankfully, Ian felt okay; there were still 20 km to drive to get to BoBo campers. ──────────────── The last
Chester
NB Harnser
A much quieter night last night out in the middle of nowhere. This morning we were off a short time before eleven as we are in no rush with nowhere particular to go. The Beluga flew right over our heads
Châlons-en-Champagne (our French home)
NB Chalkhill Blue
Friday 15 May A little bit of history first to help quell the myth that we’re on holiday. We bought our first narrowboat in 2010 having hired boats for many years previously. We loved boating so much that in 2014
19 May 2026
Just Ian and me left alone underground!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 16th. Country Park, Gauteng Our very last site was but a mere 130km drive, nothing compared to the kilometres we have driven over the last 5 weeks. In fact, Ian totalled it up to just over the 5000km mark!
Moston
NB Harnser
Not the best nights sleep with the noise from the road and then a cruiser coming and turning round in the basin at quarter to midnight. Yesterday evening I tried to book of passage along the Manchester Ship Canal (MCS)
Rode Heath and ducks.
NB What A Lark
The race was on. David up early as usual and had moved our car down the canal to Rode Heath, he returned in a rush getting the bike inside then oh his face, a single hander had moved his boat
Engineering masterpieces and rocks.
NB What A Lark
Time to make a move. This immediate part of the world is so very very lovely and we have enjoyed the two permitted nights here. We cast off leaving the several over-stayers and went along to the Heritage marina at
18 May 2026
Ellesmere Port
NB Harnser
First job this morning was a trip the M&S to pick up our two Sushi surprise bags for lunch today, these were £5 each reduced from £15 from “Too good to go”. We were back on the boat ready to
Balloon flight and final Safari game drive
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
At 5.45 am, we were picked up by an Airtracker balloon company. The day was cold, with hardly any wind and clear skies, perfect for flying. With it being dark, our driver had to be careful of wild animals, and
A bit “in limbo”!
The Sumpners Afloat
11th May to **Just stooging around really**…………….. I mentioned that this year’s cruising was a bit complex. The funeral was one of the complications, but that is now behind us. The next “complication” is a visit from our son George
17 May 2026
Made good use of brooms
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 14th Before we left this morning, a family of Wart Hogs came for a visit. A muddy hollow was found, and the youngsters had great fun wallowing in the mud. A short drive to our next campsite meant we
Grand Union Canal, Norton junction to above Watford locks
NB Huffler
Grey skies, cold and windy today but its not raining. Might brighten up later according to weather forecastMt and Mrs 9 teaching the cygnets to feed As we pass under the foot bridge at Norton junction, where the Grand Union
Grand Union Canal - Braunston to Norton Junction
NB Huffler
I agreed to go to Lymm, on the Bridgewater canal this year. I assumed (my error) it would be via the North Oxford and Coventry Canal to Trent and Mersey canal and then on to Preston Brook and the Bridgewater.
16 May 2026
An exciting sighting
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 13th Why do we do this to ourselves! 5.30 am pickup for another game drive, which meant the alarm woke us at 4.30 am! Apparently, the best time to see wildlife is first thing in the morning. At that
The Happy Band
NB What A Lark
So here we sat and waited, well when I say sat, we went walking a few times, visited both pubs on the walk which we did last year with David and Amanda Lewis this time of year but in reverse.
Chester
NB Harnser
This is one of the reasons I like boating, the view from the front doors this morning, its not so grand tonight, although you cant see it, it has hast started to rain really finely.[[DSCF1637]][1] Pushed off just after ten
Highs, lows and a mishap or two
Pickingupducks
Normally this blog is positive, hopefully upbeat and in some way uplifting. This week it is also honest and reflects the HUGE HIGHS and frightening lows we’ve encountered in terms of humanity. We have experienced good and bad on our
15 May 2026
Tattenhall
NB Harnser
Last night we ate in The Olde Barbridge Inn, well we were on their moorings. Its the first time I have had a steak in years and it was cooked nicely. We were the only boat on the moorings overnight,
That was a bit deeper than they thought!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
12^{th} May Gosh, this place is lovely, right in the heart of the National Park; the amount of wildlife visiting this site has been astonishing. Several roads throughout the park can be accessed by vehicles other than 4X4’s, so with
Pargny-sur-Saulx (what will I get up to?)
NB Chalkhill Blue
Saturday 9 May The canal closure that caused us to alter this year’s cruising plans has had other repercussions too. The route we’re now taking to get to where we want to be is a lot longer which means we’re
14 May 2026
We cross the border and maybe we should have ignored the sat nav!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 11th Away at 8 am this morning. We had a good 90-minute drive to the Border. The plan was to all follow Kobus, but one of our group had gone earlier to get diesel and was not where Kobus
Barbridge
NB Harnser
Thankfully the 30MPH+ winds died down before we went to bed and we had a very quiet night. This morning the sun was out although we did get a few un-forecast short showers this morning. Several boats going buy in
13 May 2026
Last day in Botswana
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
10th May Today, we made our way further South to a place called Palapye, about 90 minutes from the Botswana border. The campsite was almost impossible to find, thank goodness for the sat nav! Another 5-hour journey, 360 km along
Hack Green
NB Harnser
Last night we wandered down to the Shroppie Fly for dinner and a pint and found it most enjoyable, the pub is very dog friendly and the service was good. It was reasonably busy for a Tuesday night. The weather
Best visit ever.
NB What A Lark
David went off cycling from here in the centre of Stoke early this morning, he went to the Cauldon Canal. We had an appointment about which I was very excited about. It was half and hours walk, uphill, so we
I saw three ships go sailing by, go sailing by....
NB What A Lark
David is still miffed about this morning..... My idea was not to go off too madly early but to wait in a relaxed fashion for maybe some boats to arrive from coming down the six Stoke locks... Obviously I wanted
12 May 2026
Audlem
NB Harnser
Well winters back, down to 0.3°C according to my weather station last night and not that great this morning being heavily overcast. Just through the next bridge CRT are installing a coffer dam along the offside bank. They had a
Nata Bird sanctuary and salt pans
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
9^{th} May There was to be one excursion today to Nata bird life and saltpans, which wasn’t until 4 pm. So for the majority of the day, it was one of leisure. The group met for coffee midday, where Kobus
11 May 2026
Adderley bottom Lock
NB Harnser
Rain was forecast for this morning and they weren't wrong, so waking to rain no rush to get up. Thankfully the rain ended earlier than forecast so we were away at 11 am. Leaving the moorings there are patches of
More of the Leicester Line
The Sumpners Afloat
**27th April to 10th May – A bit of cruising, a trip home, followed by more cruising** Monday morning. A beautiful day. I did a bit of admin before setting off on the first hop of our trip back towards
Wild dogs...yes!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
8^{th} May Braai day, and today we feed the multitude. It is also a travelling day to get back to Nata again. Predicted travel time, 5 hours, and we also have one checkpoint to go through, so the meat has
10 May 2026
Goldstone
NB Harnser
Last night we met up with old boating friends o eat at The Junction pub. It had turned so cool when we got back to the we lit the Dickinson. Today was unusual for us as we didn’t set off
Smooth operator.
NB What A Lark
So what shall we do while we wait for the intrepids? Well what do you want to do? Don't know what do you want to do? This went on for some time. Options were, the lovely walk up into the
We walk out without paying
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 7^{th }The Big 5 Chobe Lodge, Chobe River Front Two safaris were on the cards today. First, a game drive in Chobe National Park and then a river cruise late afternoon. The game drive meeting place was at the
9 May 2026
Norbury Junction
NB Harnser
As we didn’t plan to go far today it was a late start so that the engine was running while the bread was baking. We have an electric bread make and it draws about 20 amps at 24 volts while
Quiet Please.
NB What A Lark
So we were only home just over a week, had two nice family days with the grandchildren and their parents and then leaving London at 6pm. This happened on the way up ──────────────────────────────────────────── Everso pretty but made driving a bit
Not what we call a bar!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
May 6th **The Big 5 Chobe Lodge, Chobe River Front** We checked out at 10 am today, ready for the return journey over the border back to Botswana. First, a mini bus took us back across the bridge and then
Demange aux Eaux (a change in the weather)
NB Chalkhill Blue
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Peaceful mooring at the summit of the canal de la Marne au Rhin (ouest) ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Sunday 3 May It was a bit cloudy when we awoke on Sunday morning but at least it was still warm. We took advantage
Nature thrives in the industrial heartland
Pickingupducks
Birmingham is underlining to us the importance of canals that are navigable. These were once the highways of industry as boats plied back and forth with coal and wood, iron and chemicals, pottery and products of all sorts. Now they
8 May 2026
Wheaton Aston
NB Harnser
There were several boats moving around before 8 this morning and then a lull until after 9 we set off a little after 10 by which time the sun was quite warm but a cool breeze. We made our way
7 May 2026
Brewood
NB Harnser
Bit of a late get away this morning with the temperature around 9°C This had been a lovely quiet mooring. The bridges are numbered slightly different around this part of the world, not the usual oval number plate or oblong