After almost six years, The Home Brew Boat business is up for sale. Barry has enjoyed sharing his knowledge of home brewing and is ready to hand over ...
Boating Festivals
Telling Our Truth About Narrowboat Trading – Gone Live!
We're proud to be in the Narrowboat Experience's mini-series on 'the real narrowboat experiences of the United Kingdom'. Telling it from our perspective ...
The Peak Forest Canal – Marple to Bugsworth Basin
This is another of Barry's random and retro blog posts of photos from our various journeys. This one from Marple to Bugsworth Basin on the Peak Forest Canal back in June. Stopping in Marple we took a short walk down the 16 Marple Locks. It had only recently re-opened after an 18 month repair job … Continue reading The Peak Forest Canal – Marple to Bugsworth Basin
Barry’s Images from Stoke-on-Trent to Norbury way back in April
A little late, but some of Barry's images from our travels earlier in the year from Stoke on Trent to where to Norbury Junction.
A Fun Time For Bugsworth Basin Fun Day
We booked just two festivals to trade at this year. The second of which was Bugsworth Basin Family Fun Day. What a special place - lots of fun was had!
Three Fabulous Festivals of 2018
The Home Brew Boat first began trading at canal-related festivals in Droitwich April 2014. Over the following three years the cruising plan was primarily based around planned events from April through to October. This year we decided to make considerable changes. We felt our floating lives were becoming 'same old', and we were at risk … Continue reading Three Fabulous Festivals of 2018
Huddlesford – for us a final 2017 gathering of registered traders
Last weekend was our second time trading at the Huddlesford Heritage Gathering as it's a bi-annual event. I've even got a photo published on their 2017 write-up - a terrific tiger! It was a fortuitous final festival of 2017 for us, as it's nearby geographically to where we'll be spending the next 15 or so … Continue reading Huddlesford – for us a final 2017 gathering of registered traders
Anticipating our final festival of 2017 at Huddlesford
September has been full of festivals! On my one weekend at the start of the month without a facepainting booking, I was asked to fill-in for a Silver Wedding Anniversary party after their facepainter let them down at the last minute. Rather weirdly, the event took place at a canal-side pub!If you're interested, you can … Continue reading Anticipating our final festival of 2017 at Huddlesford
Oh so much to catch you all up on!
This year has felt far more frantic than any other since we've been travelling on the canals beginning in 2009. I've put this blog to one side, along with a few other things, to reduce my sense of overwhelm and chaos! Apologies dear reader. I've been meaning to write, it just didn't happen. I'm going to … Continue reading Oh so much to catch you all up on!
Our FABest FABfest so far
"So what else happens in Middlewich during the year?" I asked a customer last weekend. "Not a lot", was the amused response. I'm not sure I believe them. The town has always had a friendly and welcoming feel, whenever we've visited. This was our fourth Folk and Boat (that's where the FAB comes from in … Continue reading Our FABest FABfest so far
Sandwiched between mum, Fazeley and Minorca!
It's been a hectic few weeks for me - nothing new there I hear you thinking! Maybe it's recently felt even more so than normal, or the intensity's increasing as it's our busy trading season - and this year I've an additional three voluntary roles with the Roving Canal Traders Association to keep on top … Continue reading Sandwiched between mum, Fazeley and Minorca!
This is Mercia Marina not Morroco!
Having taken up the invitation of a trade mooring at Mercia Marina in the winter of 2015, we got to know the office staff there quite well. Barry more than me which is just how it is while I'm a regular member of the 'sandwich' generation and consequently often absent from Areandare. Once we left … Continue reading This is Mercia Marina not Morroco!
A few bonuses at Burton Floating Market
I'm posting this a week late as I got waylaid last week travelling to mum's to sort out a few things - I'm there again now after a fabulous weekend at Mercia Marina. More on that to come, hopefully before the next event on Saturday! Doing our best in Burton Splendid scenery surrounded us all … Continue reading A few bonuses at Burton Floating Market
Big days from Birmingham to Burton Floating Market
We had our seven-year-old grandson for a sleep-over while in Birmingham last weekend. I'd taken the train to Shrewsbury on Saturday to meet him and Lisa and bring him back - and the opposite on the Sunday. We walked to the ThinkTank Science Museum in the afternoon and had tremendous fun in their Science Garden - and … Continue reading Big days from Birmingham to Burton Floating Market
A Funtastic time in Droitwich
There's something very special about this small town; it has a most endearing feel. Having spent a fair amount of time here since 1998, when my mum and dad relocated from Sutton Coldfield, I've got to know its nooks and crannies rather well. Every time we came back for a holiday from New Zealand we'd … Continue reading A Funtastic time in Droitwich
Delighted to return to Droitwich
One of our first events as Floating Traders, was St Richard's Festival in Droitwich in 2014. Our dear friends Helen and Andy, from Wild Side, had already been trading there for a couple of years, so it was very special to moor up snugly next to them for the first time. This year will also be … Continue reading Delighted to return to Droitwich
Having a blogging break …
It won't come as too much of a surprise to hear that blogging has taken a backwards step in our busy lives for the time being. We're not boating until early April - instead we're enjoying three months off, relishing the space-between-'work' to travel, and be with family and friends in the northern and southern … Continue reading Having a blogging break …
A crazy Christmas with RCTA and Calendar Club
The Roving Canal Traders Association Floating Christmas Market finished on Sunday, after nine days of trading. I suspect that's a record that will be hard to beat! Jenny and I made it to The Mailbox in time for the Radio WM breakfast show (you can listen in to the show by clicking this link, Jenny … Continue reading A crazy Christmas with RCTA and Calendar Club
Floating Market helping Birmingham’s homeless population
I'm shamelessly sharing other peoples words once again - this time is for a far worthier cause than helping people cure their hangovers! You'll be aware, if you're a regular reader, that currently Barry is being The Home Brew Boat sales person, and I'm being a Calendar Girl in both Tamworth (my winter job), and … Continue reading Floating Market helping Birmingham’s homeless population
Surrounded by Christmas Shopping
Barry and I haven't engaged with Christmas shopping for some years now, unsurprisingly it doesn't feature on our 'essential spending' list! Years ago, when my children were growing up and we were surrounded by close family, I found aspects of the festive season enjoyable. However, we're keenly aware there's no escaping the craziness of Christmas here … Continue reading Surrounded by Christmas Shopping