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!
The Home Brew Boat
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
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 ...
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
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
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
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 …