Having chosen, for family reasons, to base ourselves in the north-west this year, we’re seeking out trading opportunities for available weekends. Not that we have that many of those – with a number of trips planned (that may or may not happen depending on Barry’s visa of course!).

Last weekend we moored up at Westport Lake from Friday to Monday. It’s a 48 hour mooring, but as a ‘Roving Trader‘ boat, we have CRT permission to stay for those three days.

Through the wonders of Facebook, we’d seen that Paul and David on ‘Baked on Board‘, aka The Pizza Boat, would be in the same location. It’s usually advantageous to be near other traders to draw in people.

Barry chatted with them as we approached, before cruising almost to the Harecastle Tunnel to turn us around (as we need our side hatch on the towpath side to trade). They informed him that another trade boat was arriving on Sunday, ‘Barge-Inn Booze‘ (clever name aye?). This boat is fully licensed to sell ‘intoxicating liquor’ and hot drinks. We think though it only cruises around a small area, hence their ability to have a licence to sell.

The weather didn’t help footfall sadly. Although it was dry and intermittently sunny, the wind chill factor felt as though it was coming straight from the arctic!

We enjoyed our first delicious pizza from Paul on Sunday lunchtime. A Lock-Keeper Pepperoni. It’s quite an incredible sight, a large wood-fired pizza oven on the front of a narrowboat! Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of it this time – my focus of attention had to be on the young man we had charge of 😉

Saturday night sleepover

Our youngest grandson had a sleepover with us on Saturday night. What a fantastic location we’d found for him. Having recently mastered the art of riding a bike without stabilisers, grandma had to get her skates on (not literally, though only because I don’t have any!) to try and keep up with him peddling around the lake. She wasn’t always successful! Thankfully, despite occasional wobbles, there no accidents. A few walkers may have had to move swiftly on hearing “Excuse me” as he approached …

Planned Festivals This Year

We have just two festivals booked to date. The first is Norbury Canal Festival from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May (at Norbury Junction, Staffordshire, ST20 0PN). We’ll be amongst lots of trade boats and activities for the weekend.

Then on Saturday 6th July, we’ll be at Bugsworth Basin Fun Day. Along with an amazing range of other trade boats and land based stalls and attractions.

Easter Weekend

I’m off on the first of my 60th birthday present trips on Thursday. A week at a Spa resort in the mountain of Cyprus awaits, generously paid for by my beautiful younger daughter who’s on a two-week break from her job in Nigeria. How wonderful.

Barry will be moving us further towards Norbury, and hoping to find a place to trade over the Easter weekend. Wheelock or Middlewich he thinks …