Blogs
Keep up to date on the latest adventures and musings from boaters blogs.
21 December 2024
For you
Pickingupducks
Living and working afloat isn’t stressless or plain sailing, but it is full of wonder, surprise, and physical achievements. All of these are uplifting. Combined with slow travel with a top speed of 4 mph, it is a calm way
18 December 2024
Christmasification and 1st Painter. 16th December
NB Oleanna
*Goole* Things have been busy here in Scarborough getting ourselves ready for Christmas. A tree was purchased from a pub car park, lights added and celebrated with this years new version of mince pies, Viennese topped, think I prefer frangipane
16 December 2024
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - July, making the most of the weather
NB Percy
A bit more travelling in July but this time deep into Germany again on the Honda Nc750c DCT to give it its full title. A very capable and misunderstood bike by the mainstream, but those in the know are aware
14 December 2024
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - June - Boat Birthday Bikes
NB Percy
We started June returning Percy to her moorings at Shebdon. More blue sky. I was with one of my sisters today and we reflected the weather or the summer seemed to be around May June then disappeared. We enjoyed this
Luck, good fortune, fate, or good planning?
Pickingupducks
Who knows what it was, perhaps a combination of all of the above, but we survived Storm Darragh just as we survived Storm Bert and before that earlier this season, Storm Ashley. We are not defeated or even deflated (although
13 December 2024
New Canals/Rivers Added
NB Floydtilla
When I say new, I mean new to our maps, I didn’t just dig them… [🙂] * [River Medway][1] * [Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation][2] * [Bridgwater & Taunton Canal][3] * [River Lark][4] We have a few locations mapped on these
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - May is busy but not DIY busy
NB Percy
Pleasing to see we were walking again 1st May - Froghall basin where Percy got to in 2017 on my retirement cruise 2nd May and it was 'hiding' my bricklaying. In my defence I bricked up the window in the
12 December 2024
Complete guide to fitting out a narrowboat (DIY)
Insure4Boats
Fitting out a narrowboat is no small feat. It’s usually a long process and requires knowledge in multiple areas, such as woodwork, plumbing and electrics unless you splurge on a readily lined vessel and customise the layout. It’s a popular
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - April is two trips away month
NB Percy
April was the month the travelling started. Not what we had planned as Percy got bumped due to poor health but being able to change plans quickly helped - you'll see. The solar was working well and being monitored as
11 December 2024
Frederick on test, and the C&O canal
NB Briar Rose
The January edition of *Canal Boat* is out and includes my boat test on *Frederick* by [Braidbar boats][1]. There’s also a piece I wrote about the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which we stumbled across when we visited Washington DC in
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - March and we go up a gear !
NB Percy
I'm enjoying the review of the year. This one is a day late as I was on a blood bike shift and the M6 was closed while I was on it ! So March 2024....let's have a look at my
9 December 2024
Canal & River Maps 4000 data points added
NB Floydtilla
We now have over 4000 datapoints on our maps, that had taken under a year and half to complete this so far and we still many many more ready to add. Over the past few months have been creating new
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - February
NB Percy
I'm enjoying looking back in detail on my 2024. What has surprised me so far and worried me a bit is the amount of walking we did last winter and how little we are doing now. When we had Leia
8 December 2024
My 12 monthly reflections of 2024 - January
NB Percy
In January 2024 I was looking forward to another year of memory making. Sadly over the course of the year the memories were to be made of friends and family struggling with health and loosing a good friend to cancer.
7 December 2024
Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)
Pickingupducks
Several times this week, boating friends have anxiously asked if I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms or the dreaded itchy tiller syndrome, as we enter our third week moored in one place. When you’ve been used to moving the location for
4 December 2024
Home Mooring
NB Harnser
Last night we ate in The Boat House that use to be The Mill House and before that The Boat House, its part of the Marstons chain so you know what to expect, luckily Dian checked the menu on her
3 December 2024
Braunston
NB Harnser
Well another day another type of weather, bright, dead calm, fine and cool. We were away a little after ten thirty passing several moored boats between our overnight mooring and Napton Junction. The Grand Union is a broad canal so
2 December 2024
Flecknoe
NB Harnser
Yesterday afternoon the sun was going down on Barby Reservoir, today it just forgot to come up again.[[DSCF0111]][1] This morning the weather was quite dreary with thick cloud and fine cool drizzle, the most miserable weather for boating for sometime.
1 December 2024
Onley
NB Harnser
The forecast was for rain today so we waited until that cleared, just before we set off this ladies rambling group went by, we caught up with them at Brownsover by which time their numbers had swelled to 12 .[[DSCF0106]][1]
30 November 2024
Newbold
NB Harnser
Last night looking out in the dark it was interesting to see the line of the M69 with the street lights running off into the distance. This morning was even warmer but for some reason it was heading towards 11
Turning The Temperature Up. 28th November
NB Oleanna
Over the last week or so, Mick had noticed that Oleanna’s heating hadn’t been coming on when we’d expect it to. Snow in Goole as seen from our webcam suggested it had been quite cold, along with the sensor in
Diverse perspectives are invaluable to keep us all afloat
Pickingupducks
We have been on our first winter mooring for near a fortnight now, and strangely, it doesn’t seem anywhere near that long. There has been much to do for work and family as well as the many additional tasks that
29 November 2024
West of Ansty
NB Harnser
As we were in Coventry last night we had a takeaway from [Jinseon Korean restaurant][1]. We have eaten in the restaurant a couple of times but I prefer a takeaway as it gives us lunch for the next day as
12 gifts for paddle boarders
Insure4Boats
Whether you're shopping for a birthday gift, Christmas present, anniversary surprise or just something to show you care, there are many great gifts for paddle boarders. From paddle board accessories that will provide extra fun out on the water to
Kayaking and fishing: A complete guide
Insure4Boats
Whether you love kayaking, enjoy fishing, or are new to both and fancy trying something new, kayak fishing is a great way to combine these two popular pastimes. In this complete guide to kayak fishing, we share what kayak fishing
28 November 2024
Coventry Basin
NB Harnser
It was somewhat cold last night with the boat covered in ice before we went to bed and everywhere was white with frost when we got up but the sun soon took the edge off that. Again it was dead
27 November 2024
Bramcote
NB Harnser
It was dry when we went to bed last night but it didn’t last long and the rain was soon beating down on the roof which continued most of the night, The very light drizzle this morning had cleared up
A new design for Herbie's name
NB Herbie
Following my signwriting course I've not only been practising brushwork at home but also thinking about repainting Herbie's name on the side of the boat. From all the hundreds of typefaces /styles/fonts (call them what you will) available which one
26 November 2024
Sutton Wharf
NB Harnser
Again it was a lovely bright sunny but cool day, just a hint of frost on the grass. It was quite busy today, we met 2 boats, one in a bridge hole and a paddle boarder out enjoying the sun.
A bit too much afloat
NB Herbie
Major problems at Cropredy Marina yesterday thanks to storm Bert. The moorers' facebook group was showing alarming pictures of flooding all round the marina and in the village too. I don't think I can show them here because they are
25 November 2024
Snarestone
NB Harnser
Last night was so quiet compared to the night before you could have heard a mouse walk by and this morning we woke to bright sunshine. The boat behind us set off before we were up and winded just through
24 November 2024
Market Bosworth
NB Harnser
It was a bit blowy over night with lots of rattling on the roof, but everything was still where it was left when I looked out this morning. I don’t know how much rain we had but the levels are
23 November 2024
Stoke Golding
NB Harnser
We had heavy rain early this morning that woke me up, but by the time we were about in had blown through. The worst we had was very cold drizzle with quite a breeze behind it making it quite unpleasant.
Tenterhooks, astonishment and unbelievable fortune
Pickingupducks
Setting a goal and being thwarted can be a challenge. We’ve been thwarted many times in our aim to reach our first ever winter mooring, but last Saturday was the first chance for us to try and make the trip
22 November 2024
Bramcote Ashby Canal
NB Harnser
We expected to get up to an inch of snow and a frozen canal, but both were missing and only a light frost and maybe a scattering of snow over night. Although the temperature was a bit higher it didn’t
2 day jolly, day 2
NB Nuggler
Friday November 22nd Continued to Braunston turn and back to Barby sharpish. Bought a couple more bags of coal from Midland Chandlers. It’s more convenient than at the marina. On the way back there were a few patches of slushy
2 day jolly. Day 1.
NB Nuggler
Thursday November 21st Decided to take the boat to Braunston and back with an overnight on the way to test the solar system. Will it function as intended. Well, yes. If the sun shines. The opportunity was then taken whilst
Socking Along
NB Oleanna
**Deco socks** Well my fundraising for Dementia UK has reached £1360 which is absolutely brilliant. THANK YOU!! And there is still some sponsorship money to come in for the 53 pairs of socks in my original challenge. Yes a year
21 November 2024
Ansty
NB Harnser
A bit late getting away this morning, but when we did it was a still, bright, cold start and the frost in the shade hasn’t cleared all day. We did encounter some ice which surprised me, its not been very
21 November 2024 at 11:19
NB The Maisibert
On our travels to our next destination we stopped off at the Squire & Horse for lunch with Hilary's cousin Colin and his wife Helen.
21 November 2024 at 11:13
NB The Maisibert
The last couple of days we have spent with Dianne and Peter where we visited the beach and a Noodle Bar in the evening and then the following day we saw the Roman Ruins in Dorchester.
20 November 2024
Hillmorton
NB Harnser
It was 1°C when we left home and we caught up with the gritting machine on the A11 by which time it was 3°C, the best we saw on the dashboard display was 5°C. Towards the end of our journey
Farewell to an old friend but hello to a new family member
NB Free Spirit (Jameisons Afloat)
So.... the stove...crikey, has it really been 6 weeks since that was done? In those six weeks, a new addition to the family has arrived and the first snow of winter (or is it still autumn?) gave a good 4
18 November 2024
Dazzling Jewel on test
NB Briar Rose
The December *Canal Boat* is out, and includes my boat test on *Dazzling Jewel* by [Cain Narrowboats][1]. [1]: https://www.cainnarrowboats.com/
Job's a Good'un
NB Herbie
The restoration of Herbie's hinged aft hatch lid is complete, no thanks to me. All the thanks go to my mate Rick who has lovingly and skilfully turned this into this Not a simple job because he had to cut
16 November 2024
16 November 2024 at 17:58
NB The Maisibert
We returned to Bude today without the dogs so we could have a look around the town first we visited Bude Castle where we saw the history of GCHQ we drove past the real dishes yesterday, tonight we have Cornish
Bully Boy Battery Cables. 8th November
NB Oleanna
**(Tech Post by Mick)** When I installed the new LiFePO4 lithium batteries back in the spring of this year, I had ordered cables that were too long. Better too long than too short! At the time, I didn’t have the
How do you wait?
Pickingupducks
How do you wait – patiently, productively or frustratedly? By the time you read this we hope the enforced hebetude of the past weeks will have left us and we will be on the move, making our way at last
15 November 2024
15 November 2024 at 16:25
NB The Maisibert
As the dogs had been left at the cottage the last couple of days so today we took them to Sandymouth Bay for a run and then back to the cottage.
15 November 2024 at 16:21
NB The Maisibert
The dogs have enjoyed their stay this is despite being left the last couple of days.