Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
25 April 2026
Going cuckoo in the sun
Pickingupducks
It has been perfect weather for messing about in boats, but if you don’t have a boat as I haven’t this week being off house sitting, walking the canal towpaths is almost the next best thing. Ssswimming sssslowly Boatdog, swans,
24 April 2026
A road closure was not good news
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 23rd First decent night's sleep, no rain, just high winds which didn't bother us at all. No rocking and rolling, we were very sheltered, so both of us awoke refreshed. No early start, we could leave when ready as
23 April 2026
The first real rainy day and we visit a wildlife rehabilitation center.
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
March is usually the end of the rainy season here at Kruger, but it can extend into April, and boy, extend it did! All last night the rain was at biblical proportions, with thunder and lightning to add to our
22 April 2026
A Leopard in a tree...Could I find it?
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 21st Me and my big mouth. I wanted a thunderstorm and that's what we got, but at 1 am we both could have wished it further! And the rain...torrential, extremely loud on the motorhome roof and the most annoying
A swan, a wolf and an expresso martini.
NB What A Lark
In the morning, not early, we are on holiday after all, off we set towards Willington, but immediately having Burton-on-Trent to get through. I remember when we came through for only the second time in 14 years a year or
21 April 2026
Off for a proper safari
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 20th Gosh, a slight lie-in, didn't have to be at the meeting point until 6.45 am! Today we were off to do a proper safari, with a 4X4 and a guide who knew the park like the back of
20 April 2026
Krugger National Park
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 19th These early starts are starting to have an effect; we are both feeling a bit frazzled. The alarm went off at 5 am, cos we had to leave the site by 6 am. The reason was to hopefully
19 April 2026
Yep...all but us stuck in the mud!
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 18th Oh, what fun was had this morning. It was I dreaded, too soft a ground and the wrong tyres meant those vans that had decided not to move last night (us included) had the wheels spinning as they
Electrika 2026 – 3 months away!
The Sumpners Afloat
This is the third year of Electrika, the UK’s only dedicated boat show for electric narrowboats, that we organise in our spare time. Originally the brainchild of [Ortomarine][1], and in association with [Aqua Vista Watersides and Marinas][2] who have kindly
18 April 2026
Convoy and potholes
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 17th Really early start this morning. Breakfast was served at 6 am, we were the first in, so one would expect everything to be piping hot! But no, the chefs must have started cooking hours before because everything (scrambled
I've not been called too posh before.... have you?
NB What A Lark
I set off walking the next morning. I'd left David to untie the ropes alone meaning to be ahead of him to set the lock. This first lock into Alrewas is an absolute brute, when I arrived one bottom gate
Short cruise and a leisurely afternoon
NB What A Lark
I'm going to gather a few days together as we have done ridiculously little. We left the mooring a bit late in the morning, but the volunteers had arrived at about 9am. Three on duty, so those locks were a
discover.narrow.boat
Pickingupducks
Where are we??? As boaters, like all the emergency services as well as those who need their help, we have a lot to thank musicians who got lost when trying to find far flung venues or gigs. If you’ve ever
17 April 2026
To Rugeley and beyond!
NB What A Lark
We'd rather squashed ourselves in last night in a big space but right next to a winding hole and on a bend. We both paced it out for size for a 70' boat to turn and after a bit of
16 April 2026
Still in Johannesburg day 2
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 16th Had a bit of a session last night, getting to know our fellow travellers, quite a few drinks were consumed. Didn't stop us falling asleep as soon as heads hit the pillows, although I did have a bit
Ashby Canal br 22 to Lime Kiln ph at br 15
NB Huffler
The weather is certainly not inviting us to move. Rain is forecast and we do not DO rain !. So we set off and see how we go. well the Cowslips like it here - never seen so many we
Day 1 South Africa
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 15th I know it costs a bit extra, but going into an airport lounge is the best way, in my opinion, to wait for the flight. Drinks and food are all complimentary, and best of all, away from the
15 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Br 38 to Br 22 near Stoke Golding.
NB Huffler
Setting off the weather was dull, but it was not as cold as yesterday. We soon approach where the dredging is being carried out. Big heavy boats Not the best of places to moor breasted up, on a bend and
Boat electrical wiring and diagrams explained
Insure4Boats
Understanding boat electrical wiring diagrams is essential if you're a hands-on boater and love a good DIY challenge. Whether you're kitting out a brand-new vessel or fixing up a small fishing boat, a good understanding of your boat's wiring system
14 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Market Bosworth to Snarestone
NB Huffler
we woke up to another nice day, but with a cold wind it was quite chilly. We really should have stopped and read the notice board. Sadly there was nowhere suitable to stop. In hindsight he could have stopped under
Late Late Late
NB What A Lark
Apologies and all that for my tardiness, but there is a good reason. My poor mother. Easter was planned, we'd even been shopping! Then at about 8pm one evening before Easter a phone call because my mother had pressed her
Scotland – here we come!
The Sumpners Afloat
**Our First Long Trip in Vera** **Friday 27th March ** Vera was just back from having her self-levelling system fitted. We had last minute packing to do and finally set off at 11:15 – 45 mins later than planned, but
13 April 2026
How to use a tripping line to protect your anchor
Insure4Boats
Anchoring might seem straightforward, but it can sometimes be difficult to know what’s beneath the surface of the water. Uneven terrain, hidden debris, and shifting conditions can all turn a routine anchor drop into a risky retrieval. A tripping line
12 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Dadlington to Market Bosworth
NB Huffler
We have seen the dredgers, we have seen the empty boats, we have seen the signs. But we have not seen any people operating the said dredgers or boats. the full loads are brought to here and unloaded. Then shaken
11 April 2026
Ashby Canal - Hinkley to Br 31 near Dadlington
NB Huffler
Bright, Blowy and very cool, in fact chilly. 3 degrees due to wind chill factor. passed over this bridge a number of times since September when I was referred to Leicester Heart hospital. Must admit I did not expect to
Going back – good or bad?
Pickingupducks
Some people say you should never go back to old homes, jobs or locations. On the waterways if you live aboard, the likelihood of retracing steps is high and this week one of us has also been north of the
10 April 2026
Hawkesbury to Hinkley on Ashby Canal
NB Huffler
Weather good again. Amazing for early April. First job was to refill with water. oh look its Chesterton. Many happy times been had on that boat in times past. So into the lock we go. It's only a stop lock
Countdown has begun
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
April 10th Finally... There are only 4 sleeps until we jet off for our safari adventure. The excitement mounts; in fact, our bags have been packed for two weeks, mainly because we had to deposit them with our sons in
9 April 2026
North Oxford Canal - Newbold to Hawkesbury junction
NB Huffler
a quick trip to the Co-op at Newbold before leaving who else remembers the multicoloured lighting there used to be in the tunnel ? Just found this in my archives. When first done think there were red lights as well.
North Oxford - Hillmorton to Newbold Tunnel
NB Huffler
Yet another amazing day and we set off for the 3 Hillmorton locks . Just had to take a pic of these. No barking just watched us go by. So sweet. Ah one just exiting the right hand lock. One
8 April 2026
Braunston to Hillmorton - North Oxford
NB Huffler
Awaking to another glorious day we had the coal brought to the boat as promised. So off we go Goodbye marina - see you in about 3 weeks. We both have to return for hospital appointments, Osteopath, hair, hearing aids
7 April 2026
to Braunston
NB Huffler
Wec are both feeling better every day. This really was the best way of recovering for us, Very busy today and not nearly so cold Lots of families out walking The Trees are bursting into leaf against the incredible blue
Napton to Br 101 near Braunston
NB Huffler
A lovely bright day but wind chill took the temp down to 2 degrees. COLD we reversed back to the water point and refilled with water before leaving Napton. despite the cold there were a good number of boats movingthe
5 April 2026
Waiting Patiently (!)
NB Oleanna
**All the daffs are out in the valley** Just before we got back from our holiday to Scotland we contacted Tom at Gibson and Kentwright to see if there was any news on Oleanna’s repaint and if it would be
4 April 2026
Napton
NB Huffler
So today we went for a short walk. Yes to the lock and then to the pub ! All of 3/4 of a mile. the water points at the bottom of the locks empty for a change. Its quite overcast
Onwards to Napton
NB Huffler
Well bit mixed weather today. Lets hope the blue sky wins. The North Oxford /Grand union is a bit like the M6 today lunch on the go - Egg, Sausage and bacon roll. Mrs Swan on her nestthe hedges bursting
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