What a great find - a free camper van for ten days to adventure between Auckland and Christchurch. What could possibly go wrong? Well ...
Boating Festivals
From 2014 to 2020, Barry and Sandra regularly traded at boating festivals. We share some of the joys and challenges of these adventures …
Wandering Around Whitchurch
It’s fascinating what you learn when you look around the place you’re living in. Especially when you move around frequently as we do!
Day 50 – Averting A Canal Cowtastrophy
Last night it was more apparent than ever that we don't need a TV when we’ve got entertainment galore on the cut! Two cows fell into the canal ...
Day 46 – New Visitors Near The Cut
Not much changes on a daily basis here in our bubble mooring, but today we've enjoyed the sight of cows coming to see us from the other side of the canal ...
Day 14 – Thriving Through Transformative Times
We're all living through a period of transformation at the moment. I've enjoyed supporting a small business today, and we've news on our small business ...
The Home Brew Boat Business Up For Sale!
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 ...
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 ...
Re-Focussing On Being Present In 2020
Just before Christmas I decided it was time to reduce the time I spent on Social Media. Specifically Facebook and Twitter. During the December 2019 election run-up it became strikingly apparent that having these Apps on my phone was becoming addictive. I'm sure you know a little about how Facebook works - its clever algorithms … Continue reading Re-Focussing On Being Present In 2020
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!
First Trading weekend Since September
We're slowly finding time to emerge into the 2019 trading season. Though it's still far too chilly to stand around selling on the towpath! But needs must ...
Celebrating 200 years of Victoria Quays Sheffield
We were honoured to be contacted by a media company requesting to use one of Barry's stunning images of Sheffield Victoria Quays last week.
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
Continuing to discover ways to sustain our flexible floating lifestyle
It may seem to some readers we spend most of our time enjoying ourselves. Together, with family, and with friends. True, life in the Teutenberg/Walsh boathold (no household here!) it's vastly different to the majority of people in our peer group. However, we are NOT retired. Barry has another two and half years to go; … Continue reading Continuing to discover ways to sustain our flexible floating lifestyle
Foulridge to Burnley
Barry here!! I've been left in charge of the blog while Sandra's away in Minorca for a week, so you won't be surprised that I've buggered it up used creative editing with the last posting and forgot to include two special meetings along the way and a bit of a flock up! The first was catching … Continue reading Foulridge to Burnley
Feeling a little over exposed on Areandare
Apologies to readers who erroneously thought they'd find a blog post all about Saltaire yesterday! I'm away at mum's till tomorrow, without my laptop charger, so drafted the post yesterday morning before my battery died. I asked Barry to work his magic on it before I return tomorrow, and he accidentally pressed 'publish' rather than … Continue reading Feeling a little over exposed on Areandare
Feeling the benefits of inserting a pause
I (mostly) love our life. The infinite variety, frequent uncertainty, and adventurousness we experience. Occasionally it becomes overwhelming. Especially the recent 14 weeks non-stop working portion! I'm confident 2018 promises to bring many gifts our way; I'm also anticipating a few challenges. Mum will be a cause for concern as her Alzheimer's continues to take … Continue reading Feeling the benefits of inserting a pause
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