We initially explored the Llangollen Canal shortly after purchasing our first narrowboat, Northern Pride, in April 2009. We loved it then, and our feelings have only since magnified. Admittedly it's not all plain sailing (pun intended!). Many areas lack good internet coverage, which is crucial for my online work. A fair proportion is relatively rural, … Continue reading An Extended Stay On The Lovely Llangollen Canal
Friends on board
Reluctantly Leaving Liverpool
During our second week moored in Liverpool, we went to a family wedding in Devon, then explored more of the city together and with a friend.
Relishing Our Passage To Liverpool
After a delay of almost two years, due to the pandemic, we cruised into Liverpool's Albert Docks on the afternoon of 11th April 2022.
Meandering On The Montgomery and Llangollen Canals
We spent most of October on the lovely Llangollen Canal, our third cruise there, with a meander on the Montgomery for the first time ...
Barry and Dickie let loose!
This is a rare post by Barry ... Once I'd finally given up hope that I was going to make it to France with Sandra, Kerry and Tony it was time to consider other options. One of them was to attend the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival as we were in the area. However the … Continue reading Barry and Dickie let loose!
Foxes on Board Before Bugsworth Family Fun Day
After a full-on few weeks, we've arrived at the scenic Bugsworth Basin in the Peak District, for the Bugsworth Family Fun Day. Let's hope the sun shines!
Day Eight – A Bakery, Bikes and Birds
We rather cocked up the locks yesterday. Remember I said our boat briefing was rather brief? Well we sort of realised last night, after the lockkeeper came to ask us if we were doing any more locks around 6.30pm, that we must've moored after one of a series of locks. Tony had written on a … Continue reading Day Eight – A Bakery, Bikes and Birds
Time with Friends – Expected and Unexpected Surprises
In the last couple of weeks we've had the pleasure of the company of a few fabulous friends. Some we hadn't previously met, another not for decades ...
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
Another Teutenberg and much more
I'm on a mission to get the blog up to date this week, which may entail skipping a few adventures, and squeezing others into two posts. Do forgive me. You see on Thursday 11th October we'll be starting our 2018 Calendar Club season. Thankfully we received confirmation last Friday that we have a shop to … Continue reading Another Teutenberg and much more
A Succession of Summer Visitors Part 3
After a long weekend in Ombersley sorting out some of mum's, and our remaining 'stuff', we got back on board Areandare the evening of Monday 9th July. A mere two days later we were off again heading back to Lisa's for the school run on Thursday 12th! Needless to say we extended the Enterprise car … Continue reading A Succession of Summer Visitors Part 3
A Succession of Summer Visitors Part 2
Our next round of planned kiwi guests arrived on Saturday 30th June for a three-night canal adventure. Deb and Graeme had spent the previous few weeks travelling around Europe, their main destination being a UK friend's daughter's wedding in Santorni. Fortunately when they arrived with us the weather in Manchester wasn't too shabby after the … Continue reading A Succession of Summer Visitors Part 2
A Succession of Summer Visitors – part 1
Once again it's been a while since we posted. To be honest we're considering stopping this blog, as we could possibly be portraying that life on the UK Inland Waterways is too amazing leading to everyone wanting to come and share a taste of it! Maybe we'll start writing about the pitfalls instead of the … Continue reading A Succession of Summer Visitors – part 1
Third time lucky for The Ribble Link!
It's getting a tad confusing catching up and posting our journeys - for us, never mind you the reader! Do bear with us while we attempt to. You'll soon realise, due to the nature of circumstances around this time, that both Barry and Sandra have shared the writing, though the photography's all Barry's apart from … Continue reading Third time lucky for The Ribble Link!
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
A splendid day out at Saltaire
Opened in September 1853, Saltaire is an incredible feat of a visionary imagination and community, led by a great man named Titus Salt. Built in the 1850's, Saltaire consisted of a mill and village to house Titus Salt's workers, there was also a wash-house with tap water, bath houses (for weekly baths!), a hospital, and … Continue reading A splendid day out at Saltaire
Kirkstall to Shipley and a couple more friends on the way
We're starting to get the hang of the frequent swing bridges now, as we head further west along the waterway. We'd planned on our next night's mooring being at Rodley, and wanted to catch up with friends who lived nearby. It turned into a two-night stay so I could do some more work on board, … Continue reading Kirkstall to Shipley and a couple more friends on the way
Doncaster to Goole with stand-in first mate Fred aboard
After seeing me safely off at Doncaster station on Wednesday 28th March, Barry found himself with a bit of time to kill waiting for Fred to join him for his long anticipated journey to Goole. He'd not been able to get there via the tidal Trent, but achieved it the long way round! It's great … Continue reading Doncaster to Goole with stand-in first mate Fred aboard
Fun times travelling back from Sheffield to Doncaster
This laid-back lifestyle is frequently rather frantic! So much so, we're once again a couple of weeks behind with posts. This week can hopefully be 'catch-up' time, to get you all up-to-date with where we've been, and what we've been up to along the way. At least the publishable stories! If you want to see … Continue reading Fun times travelling back from Sheffield to Doncaster
Tackling the Tidal Trent with a fresh First Mate
The vagaries of the British weather continue to cause complications for many. Minor ones only for us. Easily overcome and worked around. A few weeks ago I'd hired a car from Enterprise Sheffield in advance. One of the not-insurmountable challenges of living on a narrowboat and continuously cruising, is taking a car with you is … Continue reading Tackling the Tidal Trent with a fresh First Mate