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
Funtastic Facepainting
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!
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
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 …
Reflecting on 2016’s highs and lows on and off NBAreandare
Is it just me, or is it normal to feel the older one gets, the faster time seems to fly? I suspect 2016 will be a year that goes down in history as one of immense and irreversible change, for a multitude of reasons. It also brought a few challenges to Barry and I in … Continue reading Reflecting on 2016’s highs and lows on and off NBAreandare
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
A Terrific Trading Time in Tipton
Last weekend was the Tipton Canal and Community Festival. We previously traded at this event in 2014, as The Home Brew Boat, on the Sunday only. This time we both traded - and what a magnificent weekend we had. All the people I met were incredibly friendly and appreciative. I had the most photos of … Continue reading A Terrific Trading Time in Tipton
Blisworth to Birmingham with The Doggie Boat
We had a second brilliant weekend at the Blisworth Canal Festival last weekend. The people of the village and surrounding areas, who arrive in their throngs, are extremely friendly and jovial. It didn't begin too well when Barry and I took my gazebo to the festival field to erect it on the Friday evening. The … Continue reading Blisworth to Birmingham with The Doggie Boat
Moving boats – and a return journey I never expected to make
It's been another full, fun and fascinating week for Barry and I living our 'life less ordinary'. You know the saying '... like ships that pass in the night"? Well that's been us more so than our 'normal' recently - and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Maybe that's one of the crucial … Continue reading Moving boats – and a return journey I never expected to make
Making the most of Middlewich FAB Festival
There's something magical about the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival that impels us to return each year. Having not booked for 2016 as we'd planned to be on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, we were relieved to sneak in on a late cancellation. After another long journey, this time from Liverpool, we arrived late afternoon on … Continue reading Making the most of Middlewich FAB Festival