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
Funtastic Facepainting by Sandra
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
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
Busyness on land and water – heading to Blisworth for the weekend
What a fun experience facepainting (mostly) adults at an evening wedding reception in Leamington Spa on 30th July. I'm so thankful I took the plunge to build 'Funtastic Facepainting by Sandra', an artistic talent I hadn't realised I was capable of. Barry came along as my line-manager and supporter, and of course helper to carry … Continue reading Busyness on land and water – heading to Blisworth for the weekend
St Richard’s Festival Droitwich – our third time trading
Festival season for narrowboat traders is finally getting in full swing - starting this weekend. While many of our colleagues are at Norbury Canal Festival, we're happily back in Droitwich for the third year in a row. In previous years we've been thrilled to moor up comfortably close to Helen and Andy and their 'Wild … Continue reading St Richard’s Festival Droitwich – our third time trading
Huddlesford Heritage Gathering and Barry’s 20 Questions in Canal Boat
Amongst the 2,000 miles of interconnected navigable canal and rivers in England and Wales, there remains sections in the process of restoration - some more actively than others. Lichfield, a cathedral city (famous for it's three spires), is a short distance north east of Sutton Coldfield, where I grew up and raised my two children. … Continue reading Huddlesford Heritage Gathering and Barry’s 20 Questions in Canal Boat
A bostin weekend at the Black Country Boating Festival 2015
Having had three very pleasant kiwi visitor episodes in August and early September, the most recent lasting eleven days and nights, we're understandably a touch out of synch on blog posting. I also managed to squeeze in a long weekend in Brighton with one NZ buddy ... Barry's handed over some stunning images of our trip down … Continue reading A bostin weekend at the Black Country Boating Festival 2015
Returning to the place where it all began for Barry
Most of you will know the story of the origin of Barry's fascination and passion for the Inland Waterways of UK. In 1976, he travelled here from New Zealand with a couple of mates and spent six months touring round. To be honest he describes the trip as one long pub crawl - mostly avoiding … Continue reading Returning to the place where it all began for Barry
10 of our best bits from Blisworth Canal Festival 2015
We’d heard tales of the fabulousness of Blisworth Canal Festival via Helen and Andy, aka ‘Wild Side’, who’d regaled us with tales of their annual experiences over their past few trading years. Sadly we weren’t able to make it in 2014. The logistics of travelling from Hebden Bridge, where we were for the Tour De France … Continue reading 10 of our best bits from Blisworth Canal Festival 2015
A cracking time at Crick after a challenging start
Wow! What a wonderful weekend we had at The Crick Boat Show - in spite of a particularly challenging beginning. Our arrival on Friday turned into a bit of a tense and troubled time, as due to what seems like a communication cock-up somewhere, we had no mooring booked on the harbourmaster's list. A case … Continue reading A cracking time at Crick after a challenging start
The Delights of Droitwich and Exciting News about Crick 2015
Our return visit to trade at St Richard's Festival in Droitwich was a great success despite the unseasonal weather. I even got the bag of winter clothes back out from under the bed to put my long sleeved thermal top on or I'd have been an extremely cold face painter decorating 'Frozen' children! The dismal days … Continue reading The Delights of Droitwich and Exciting News about Crick 2015
Meeting many people and trading at Middlewich
Whatever happens this year in relation to Barry's visa, one thing we know without a doubt is how incredibly fortunate we've been to meet so many lovely people - mainly through this blog! The past four days have been enriching in many ways. Not financially, we've had a steady trading weekend, nothing extraordinary. Convivially though … Continue reading Meeting many people and trading at Middlewich
Our first boating festival of 2015 – Middlewich
It's been an interesting journey up to Middlewich, dozens of locks in succession (I believe it's called Heartbreak Hill, which is understandable!), coupled with some rather challenging weather including gale force winds, driving rain, sleet and hail storms. Barry and I have kept the cold at bay kitted out in waterproofs, hats, gloves and sturdy … Continue reading Our first boating festival of 2015 – Middlewich
The Stupendous Standedge Tunnel – better late than never
I know, it's quite ridiculous isn't it, this post is from our time at the end of July in Marsden and the Standedge Tunnel, almost six weeks ago. Oh my, how time flies. Our trading hasn't been as prolific as we'd have hoped this year, deciding as we did (foolishly?) to visit a some of … Continue reading The Stupendous Standedge Tunnel – better late than never