I'm shamelessly sharing other peoples words once again - this time is for a far worthier cause than helping people cure their hangovers! You'll be aware, if you're a regular reader, that currently Barry is being The Home Brew Boat sales person, and I'm being a Calendar Girl in both Tamworth (my winter job), and … Continue reading Floating Market helping Birmingham’s homeless population
Birmingham
Our week in Birmingham – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
It's no secret that we've grown rather fond of Birmingham. Increasingly more so since becoming accidentally enthralled by Peaky Blinders last year. We'd never heard of it prior to stumbling on some live filming at The Black Country Museum. Unaware why there were photographers and people bustling around the canal-side, and spotlights in the boatyard, Barry asked another … Continue reading Our week in Birmingham – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Barry’s Favourite 50 Images from 2015 – Part 6
I'm Sorry! Just couldn't keep it down to 50 images so you have to put up with a few more ... After the Northampton festival we headed back towards the Birmingham area, which involved festivals at Netherton, then down to Huddlesford on the Coventry Canal and back up to Birmingham central for the RCTA Floating … Continue reading Barry’s Favourite 50 Images from 2015 – Part 6
Bentley Bridge, London and back to Birmingham
That journey would be a huge one on a narrowboat - understandably an impossible one in just over a week! Barry spent last weekend trading with five other narrowboats - Sandra Willis on Golden Boyz doggie Gifts, Jackie and Mick on Jays 4 Jewellery, Sheila and Jim on FlavoursAfloat, Mariane and Mick on NB Lolliopop … Continue reading Bentley Bridge, London and back to Birmingham
Fabulous Final Floating Market in Birmingham
We've heard a few people denigrate Birmingham over the years. Then there was the ridiculous person in USA who stated that there was no point visiting the city as no-one spoke English (boy did he have egg on his face!). There's narrow boaters who live in fear of mooring in the city centre because of … Continue reading Fabulous Final Floating Market in Birmingham
Adapting to the realities of running three businesses from a narrowboat!
It's around five years since Barry and I first began formulating the possibility of finding ways to make a 'sustainable' living, continuously cruising aboard a narrowboat. Running three businesses whilst moving around the system involves a bit of a juggling act! Allowing a plate or two to stop spinning and fall (like writing this blog … Continue reading Adapting to the realities of running three businesses from a narrowboat!
The Home Brew Boat’s first and last festivals of 2014
Before our initial six-month narrow boating adventure in April 2009, Barry spent months voraciously reading waterways related blogs. One of the main ones he relished was Andrew Denny's 'Granny Buttons'. We were understandably thrilled to meet him in person on our second venture from NZ to UK, in May 2010, when we fortuitously moored next … Continue reading The Home Brew Boat’s first and last festivals of 2014
Through Barry’s extraordinary eyes – from Stone to Birmingham
These photos are way overdue to be published! Barry's been so caught up with The Home Brew Boat that I have to keep nagging (me, nag?!) him to give me some of his fabulous photos! It's always worthwhile though, and these are no exception. I've divided them into two posts for your delectation and delight … Continue reading Through Barry’s extraordinary eyes – from Stone to Birmingham
Home Brew Boat beer tasting at Bumble Hole
We stayed in Birmingham a little longer than planned - it's such a buzzing city and we do enjoy our visits there. Yesterday we moved the short distance to our next Boating Festival at Netherton, near Tipton in the West Midlands. We were pleasantly surprised to find the event's location in a setting one wouldn't … Continue reading Home Brew Boat beer tasting at Bumble Hole
Boozed up in Birmingham
I finally managed to shake off the bug and get to mum and dad's - but not until Sunday. I rarely 'do' ill, it's so unpleasant isn't it? It did however force me to sit still for three days. To rest and reflect. And, looking on the bright side, when I wasn't too fuddled it … Continue reading Boozed up in Birmingham
Step away from your comfort zone …
A young male in his early twenties recently confided to me how much he yearns to travel to the other side of the world. While he has some sketchy plans for 2015, he's wary of what may happen if he steps too far from his comfort zone. Wow! I had no idea what such a concept even was … Continue reading Step away from your comfort zone …
The first post – launching The Home Brew Boat’s inaugural trading event
It's taken a while to pluck up the courage, but here we are at last! We've been blogging about our adventures on the canals and rivers of the United Kingdom for five years now, beginning on Blogger in April 2009, after buying our first narrowboat 'Northern Pride'. That year, and during 2010, we were incredibly fortunate … Continue reading The first post – launching The Home Brew Boat’s inaugural trading event