The luck of the draw definitely isn't on our side at the moment! Although Tattershall Castle would normally be open on weekdays now from 11 to 5pm, today it's highly unlikely anyone there would be braving the elements. We most certainly weren't keen on venturing far ... However, there has been some unexpected consolation for … Continue reading Foiled again by The Beast
Month: February 2018
A Bostin time in Boston despite Stump and Windmill disappointments
We suspect few narrowboats venture as far east as Boston - especially during the harshness of the British winter. Since leaving Nottingham two weeks ago, we've only seen two other moving boats, each in quick succession, not far from Saxilby. As we're ticking off the few Inland Waterway routes we've NOT yet navigated (there's not … Continue reading A Bostin time in Boston despite Stump and Windmill disappointments
Views through Barry’s lens from Trent Lock to Newark
I know you'll overlook the fact that the images below are ever so slightly out of synch with the most recent post of our trip from Newark to Saxilby. All the following photos were taken by Barry - which become more significant as you'll discover once you reach the end ... A stroll around Newark … Continue reading Views through Barry’s lens from Trent Lock to Newark
A VIF on board Areandare from Newark to Saxilby
Managing the more than 2,000 miles of Inland waterways of the United Kingdom must be a mammoth task. In 2009 and 2010, when we first ventured to live aboard a narrowboat and enjoy all these treasures, they were maintained by British Waterways (BW). In July 2012, the year before we returned, British Waterways was transformed … Continue reading A VIF on board Areandare from Newark to Saxilby
Arguably one of the best views from a side hatch
It's said if February is wet, there's an increased chance of a fine summer. That's reassuring as dampness pervades the air most days recently! Yesterday's journey from Gunthorpe to Newark was, according to our Nicholsons' Guide (it's an ancient edition mind you!), along one of the 'prettiest' stretches of the river. You could've fooled us! Of … Continue reading Arguably one of the best views from a side hatch
Returning to the River Trent after nine years
In July 2009 we were naive, novice, live-aboard Narrowboaters, on a long-anticipated six-month sabbatical from New Zealand. Reflecting incredulously (mostly me!), one of our first journeys was down (up country but down river, I have no concept of how that works) the River Trent. I strongly suspect if I'd known then what I do now, … Continue reading Returning to the River Trent after nine years
A disappointing not Light Night in Nottingham
We last visited Robin Hood's fair city in 2009, aboard Northern Pride. Friends arrived at the station to spend a long weekend with us - which for some reason I can't recall, entailed moving swiftly through rather than exploring the history and many delights of the area. This time, Barry's determined to take a better … Continue reading A disappointing not Light Night in Nottingham
A Calendar Club HQ opportunity grasped
It's a fairly unique way of being self-employed working for/with Calendar Club. In the UK alone during the 2017/18 'season', there were 279 outlets selling calendars, diaries, mugs, etc. under the CC banner. There's also Calendar Club set ups in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Altogether over 1,000 seasonable shops! It's obviously a massive, … Continue reading A Calendar Club HQ opportunity grasped
Cobblers at last!
Regular readers, and those who know Barry well, will be familiar with his frustrating footwear predicament. It's been nigh-on impossible to find shoes or boots, even jandals (flip-flops for the Brits among you!) to fit without squashing his feet. He'd managed to find some Addidas jandals last year, not cheaply, but they sort of fit … Continue reading Cobblers at last!
A convivial Cornish break
I treasure an abundance of magical memories from time spent in the spectacular landscapes of the south-west of England. Family camping holidays as a child, numerous trips with my daughters, a week with Barry and my girls and grandsons in 2015, and a precious few days with my dear friend Therese, who came from Gisborne … Continue reading A convivial Cornish break