It's always tricky adjusting to life after being in another hemisphere. We're catching up with family & friends and not doing much blogging ...
Life on the water
What Is It Like Being Back On The Boat?
Having been back onboard our narrowboat now for almost two weeks, we're able to reflect on how it feels after a year living in New Zealand.
Greymouth to Lake Brunner Via Blackball
Following a dreary outlook at Greymouth, we enjoyed a brief stay at Blackball before arriving at the astoundingly beatific Lake Brunner.
Twenty 2020 Gratitudes
Twenty-twenty. It's been a traumatic, often terrifying, yet strangely transformative year few will forget in a hurry.
NBAreandare’s Blasted And Coated Underside
Our beloved floating home was taken out of the water last month, to have her hull cleaned and coated. Debdale Wharf generously sent us photos.
Apologies For The Broken Link
Yesterday's post isn't working for many of you. Try going to this one https://barryandsandra.com/2020/11/08/magical-morere-and-mahia/
A Taste Of Things To Come
Today we began the long journey 'home' to Aotearoa. Of course, we have two home countries now. The UK and New Zealand. Only one 'home' though, and that's NB Areandare.
The Transition Stage
Any midwives reading will be familiar with the transformative and often terrifying transition stage. The period in labour between the 1st & 2nd stage.
A Steamy Few Days Rescuing A Dad Boy
We had a magnificent weekend in Mountsorrel. What a splendid place it is. Well kept, and the locals appeared to relish living near the river.
Soaring Along And A Slight Flight Snag
I’d forgotten what a contrast cruising on rivers are to canals. Leaving the delights of Trent Lock on Thursday morning, we turned right ...
From Fradley To Trent Lock
We’re finally progressing towards our planned destination at a swift speed. I returned the hire car to Enterprise in Fazeley on Monday morning. Fortunately my elder sister Kath was able to collect me from there and get me back to the boat. Barry and Kim had by then moved to Alrewas! Great service from Enterprise … Continue reading From Fradley To Trent Lock
Returning To Lichfield and Starting To Let Go
It's been a while since we moored up near Lichfield. We spent many months hovering around the area whilst doing Calendar Club in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Great Progress To Great Haywood
Finally we’re making progress on our journey to wherever we’re going to be when we head to NZ. It’s so much easier without worrying about car. Not so easy to see Lisa and the boys though. It’s a delicate balance of priorities. On Monday we moved from (?) to Penkridge. I did a few locks … Continue reading Great Progress To Great Haywood
Slow Progress From Norbury
One of the reasons so many people choose narrowboat living, is to slow down. When we made our New Zealand return plans, we booked Areandare into Debdale Wharf ...
Market Drayton To Norbury Car & Boat Hopping
After such a magnificent blue-sky day on Sunday, the British weather resumed it's grey and damp outlook. You have to grasp sunshine while you can here!
Leaving Nantwich Behind
We’ve now well and truly left our lockdown location behind, having made tentative plans with our three-month bubble buddies to return for a reunion in 2021.
Back To The Bubble and Beyond
Cruising off the Llangollen Canal in Monday morning, we met quite a few boaters en route. There was a couple from Scotland on their boat with two dogs for two weeks ...
The England Lockdown Easing Experiment Begins
Yesterday, Saturday 4th July, marked the day the people of England start to ‘enjoy’ more freedom again. Boaters who don’t live aboard can stay aboard ...
Challenging Times Continue
The mixed messaging and new challenges seem to be continuing here confusingly in the UK. One minute the government says one thing, the next it's all change.
Living On The Edge At Times
We relished the quietness of a few of night's mooring near Bettisfield, watching the spectacular sunsets once again, right on the edge of the Welsh border.