Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
22 October 2024
Key Of Power Locks. 19th October
NB Oleanna
*Above Fall Ing Lock to Castleford Moorings, Aire and Calder Navigation* Yesterday Mick had checked the stoppage notices again for our route eastwards. The flood locks were in use on the Aire and Calder, all were user operable apart from
21 October 2024
Oozells Street Birmingham
NB Harnser
After we moored up yesterday we went for a short walk to the park behind the junction toll house. The bridge and the track that CRT put in for the restoration work is still there. Looking at the house it
Green Flags And Pins. 18th October
NB Oleanna
*Above Cooper Bridge Lock 1 to above Fall Ing Lock 28, Wakefield* Mick headed off to check the river level before breakfast. Amber! He then walked up to check the flood gate. Still closed. But there was certainly hope we’d
20 October 2024
Kings Norton Junction
NB Harnser
Yesterday evening was nice and clear, I went out to adjust the TV aerial and looking up at the sky there was along row of Starlink Satellites right from the horizon to directly over our heads. Someone posted on Facebook
To blacking: Day 2
NB Briar Rose
It was very windy this morning, and we’d had some rain. We set off about 9am, struggling slightly to get away from the bank against the wind. At least it wasn’t raining. Most of the two miles has moored boats
The work continues – More Canal/River Maps
NB Floydtilla
**We are working our way down our list of navigable Canal and Rivers, the latest additions are as follows** :- * [Erewash Canal][1] * [Great River Ouse][2] * [River Cam][3] * [Middle Level Navigations Combined][4] * [Shropshire Union Canal –
Freedom! 17th October
NB Oleanna
*Opposite Sainsburys to above Cooper Bridge Lock 1, Huddersfield Broad Canal* Sunshine! Wonderful sunshine, just a shame we were still coughing. Last night it had rained, more so than it had during the day. We got ourselves ready to push
19 October 2024
To blacking: Day 1
NB Briar Rose
Adrian came up to the boat yesterday, with a holdup on the A34 making it a very slow journey. I came up after an early shift at work. It rained pretty much all night, and the forecast wasn’t good for
Dickens Heath
NB Harnser
Tonight we are moored in exactly the same spot as last night, but facing the other way. Last night we weren't where I thought we were and I put Hockley Heath. It rained a lot overnight and the forecast for
19 October 2024 at 13:31
NB The Maisibert
Made it back to the marina today with some sunshine, Craig is leaving today because there is a weather warning for this area tomorrow.
Lets Keep Warm Today. 16th October
NB Oleanna
*Opposite Sainsburys, Huddersfield* It may have been the new cough medicine, it may have just been going to happen, but this morning I woke with a very gurglie chest. Both our colds are hanging on and morphing. Over breakfast we
Fraud, dripping and fraught navigation
Pickingupducks
Ey up mi duck – we made it! If you read last week’s update we’ve completed the first part of Plan C. We’ve donned our life jackets (all 3 of us) and hurtled down the Trent before Storm Ashley sends
18 October 2024
Back on the horse … or bike in my case
NB Percy
Percy is resting for a little while but I’m not. To be honest I’ve missed the other mechanical passion of mine - motorbikes. The weather was fair on Thursday and I wanted so see my mum in the care home
18 October 2024 at 17:39
NB The Maisibert
We travelled back through Hilmorton Locks today which were busy and filming was being carried out for a tv programme, tonight we are moored in Rugby.
Dickens Heath
NB Harnser
It turned quite foggy last night which slowed down the traffic on the A441 which crosses the canal by the pub. It was still thick at 6 this morning but clear by the time we got up. It did mean
It Isn’t Like Baunston! 15th October
NB Oleanna
*Above Lock 3E to opposite Sainsburys, Huddersfield Broad Canal* Ready for the off at 9am. The chap on NB Wildflower was doing a few engine checks also ready to push off. As we were blocking the entrance to the lock,
17 October 2024
Hopwood again
NB Harnser
We we were dead lucky with the weather yesterday not getting wet, from the TV reports other places in the midlands got around 40mm of rain, We did get heavy rain overnight and this morning the canal was a few
Sledgehammer. 14th October
NB Oleanna
*Above Lock 21E to above Lock 3E* Up early, Mick set off back into Huddersfield to return the car, then got a lift back out to Slaithwaite. We’d hoped to make an early start but it wasn’t until just gone
16 October 2024
This was a trip of 178 miles, 7¼ furlongs and 120 locks
NB Percy
We were out for 22 days cruised 19 of them and did just short of 179 miles and 120 locks ! We ran the engine for 102 hours over those 22 days. Percy developed a weep on the domestic water
16 October 2024 at 21:16
NB The Maisibert
After finding the mooring it was decided to go to the Plough in Braunston High Street for food which proved a good idea.
16 October 2024 at 21:10
NB The Maisibert
A misty start this morning as we cruised into Braunston hoping to find a mooring to take on supplies finding the last mooring just after the turning point, Craig has his work cut out tomorrow to reverse back.
Hopwood
NB Harnser
**UPDATE **The winter mooring signs have been removed from the services and will be moved over to Cambrian Wharf. This was our mooring last night, as you can see there are just the two of us.[[IMG_20241015_160608]][1] It rained lightly during
Check Rear Seats. 13th October
NB Oleanna
*Handmade Bakery to above Lock 21E Waterside Lock* **Breakfast** We were the last down for breakfast, Fran had already left! Time to say goodbyes until later in the year when there is another Geraghty get together planned. A generous breakfast
15 October 2024
Wheaton Aston to Shebdon - Home and home
NB Percy
Last night we ate in the pub and it was nice, not busy and had attentive staff. It felt like a real local, boaters and the locals mixing. I had a real bad night last night, I think I was
15 October 2024 at 14:44
NB The Maisibert
Today on to Napton where Craig winded the boat and on the return passing the entrance to the Grand Union which leads to Birmingham.
Oozells Street Loop
NB Harnser
A bit drizzly last night but that had dried up by this morning. We were away our normal time but the weather although not raining was very overcast and felt damp. Looking down the Aston flight as we rounded Aston
Signwriting course - final two days
NB Herbie
On Thursday, we were all thinking about our final pieces to take home. Much planning and practising going on with Joby giving advice about letter spacing. I opted to stick with my TEA sign, hoping that I could get my
15 October 2024 at 09:01
NB The Maisibert
Yesterday we did a quick pit stop in Braunston and then to travel on to the South Oxford Canal on a very damp day to stop just after Bridge 102.
Hold Me Close. 11th & 12th September
NB Oleanna
*Handmade Bakery, Slaithwaite and Woking* Tilly did her very best to hold on, but a refresh of her pooh box was required. I’d just cleaned it out when she could hold on no more, but thankfully this just required a
14 October 2024
A bit of drama at the stop lock, Laches bridge to Turners Wheaton Aston
NB Percy
The early morning rain came earlier so it was dry when we woke at 7.45... I'd have quite happily stayed put as the east wind was bitter - see scary photo later. But we need to be back at at
Aston University
NB Harnser
Well the day started very well, the forecast was rain over night and this morning which was correct. Needless to say we were the only boat here last night. It looks as if the moorings were reserved for some event
Stirring Up The Red. 10th October
NB Oleanna
*Handmade Bakery, Slaithwaite* Sunshine. It was guaranteed to be good weather today as we’d not be working any locks. But the sunshine could be used for other things, painting! ***It’s sunny out. Can I go out?*** Mick headed off to
13 October 2024
Nice people today Park Gate lock to Laches bridge
NB Percy
There are some mice moorings here - a few bends before the Anchor Inn. The inn was a possible stopping point but we decided to eat aboard tonight so stopped a little short. Spot on 5 hours of cruising left
Star City
NB Harnser
We were a little late getting away this morning and a boat had gone by before we were up. We passed through a couple of groups of fishing men, one a match, but I think they all must have been
13 October 2024 at 14:05
NB The Maisibert
Today we tackled Hilmorton Locks, there has been more boat traffic than we saw on our previous journey.
13 October 2024 at 13:56
NB The Maisibert
Yesterday we started our possible last cruise on The Maisibert before she goes on sale, with Craig aboard our cruise finished at Clifton and having homemade squash soup made from a squash supplied by Lynda.
Even more maps added
NB Floydtilla
**We are working our way down our list of navigable Canal and Rivers, the latest additions are as follows** :- * [River Nene Navigation][1] * [Gloucester & Sharpness Canal][2] * [River Severn][3] * [Cotswold Canals – Stroudwater Navigation][4] * [Market
Broken Smile. 9th October
NB Oleanna
*Above Lock 42 E to Handmade Bakery, Slaithwaite* Lemsips all round this morning. Maybe I should have tried to catch it sooner! Oh well. A message was sent to our volunteer lock wheeler to warn him of the germs floating
12 October 2024
The weather again, but Weston to above Park Gate lock
NB Percy
We have my beloved M6 for company tonight ( I ride the blood bikes in and out of Birmingham from Stoke... I always think of the canal when it goes over the canal just before Penkridge.) The lovely days of
Wiggins Hill Bridge
NB Harnser
A little late getting away this morning with on other boats on the move, we stopped outside Fazeley Mill Marina to top up with water. No chance in walking in now from the towpath, its by boat or the main
Building resistance while getting scuppered
Pickingupducks
Our coddiwompling is coming to an end for a while as winter draws near. It is possibly my favourite season living afloat and we’ve decided to try something new this year. For the first time, we’ve determined to try staying
11 October 2024
Fazeley Junction
NB Harnser
Well we said goodbye to our mooring at Alvecote for the last time, we have been there for 5 years so thought we had best have a change. This was our old slot.[[DSCF9767]][1] Out of the marina and turned left
Went to the pub... so Stone to Weston
NB Percy
I was up late last night photoing the Northern Lights or Midland lights as there were. Sad thing was where we moored they were over the new housing estate below Meaford lock. It was quite sad to see people sitting
10 October 2024
Signwriting course days 2 & 3
NB Herbie
Day 3 was a bit depressing. It started off well enough with me drawing out the name HERBIE in a font called Clarendon. This I managed to do pretty well, while some others on the course struggled with scaling up
Was a long one but our choice ! Macclesfield canal to Stone
NB Percy
We've been watching the weather and the latest forecast gave us ambition to try and be back on our moorings by Tuesday next week. Today our plan A was the bottom of the Macclesfield canal to Etruria. Plan B was
10 canal boat gifts for avid boaters
Insure4Boats
Do you have a friend or relative who loves canal boats but is hard to buy for? Thankfully, many great canal boat-inspired gifts are available for those who love to explore the waterways. Here, we share our top 10 canal
Dismasting: How to handle your boat in bad weather
Insure4Boats
Dismasting is something every sailor hopes they won’t need to deal with. But there are things that can be done to lower the risk of this happening. Here, we’ll share information about dismasting, how to ensure you’re prepared for this
9 October 2024
Bosley to the end of the canal - or the start ?
NB Percy
A couple of things didn't go to plan today, the weather* and time ! Neither easy to control and nor should they be. The weather app said rain stopping at ten so our plan was ten to twelve Bosley bottom
8 October 2024
Signwriting with Joby Carter
NB Herbie
Today was day two of my introduction to proper sign writing, a course taught by Job Carter of the well known but now sadly defunct Carter's Steam Fair. The course is over five consecutive days and Joby teaches 15 students