It's unbelievably over a quarter of the way through our fourteen weeks being Self Employed Operators at our Calendar Club shop - time sure flies when you're having fun! We're getting into the swing of it now, and managing to share the pressure of being open seven days a week. The challenge for me is … Continue reading Four weeks in …
RCTA
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!
Reflecting on 2016’s highs and lows on and off NBAreandare
Is it just me, or is it normal to feel the older one gets, the faster time seems to fly? I suspect 2016 will be a year that goes down in history as one of immense and irreversible change, for a multitude of reasons. It also brought a few challenges to Barry and I in … Continue reading Reflecting on 2016’s highs and lows on and off NBAreandare
A crazy Christmas with RCTA and Calendar Club
The Roving Canal Traders Association Floating Christmas Market finished on Sunday, after nine days of trading. I suspect that's a record that will be hard to beat! Jenny and I made it to The Mailbox in time for the Radio WM breakfast show (you can listen in to the show by clicking this link, Jenny … Continue reading A crazy Christmas with RCTA and Calendar Club
Off season sustainability and commuting conundrums
After a couple of weeks in central Birmingham, we're now moored in Tipton once again. It's a short walk to the train station here, and much quieter than the big city! You won't be surprised to know that living and working on a narrowboat never featured in my long-term 'life' plans until the British summer … Continue reading Off season sustainability and commuting conundrums
Trading Tales – The Beverage Boat and Phoenix Gifts
For a variety of reasons, you may've formed an impression that most people living and trading on the Inland Waterways are in a fairly 'senior' age bracket. As in not quite ready (or old enough!) to retire. Like Barry and I. Actually, when you think about it, that's an anomaly as my theory is you have … Continue reading Trading Tales – The Beverage Boat and Phoenix Gifts
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
A super successful time at Alvecote Floating Market – thanks to RCTA
Being unsure what the next four days would bring as we moored up at Alvecote Marina late last Thursday afternoon, we’re pleased as punch (excuse the pun!) to report any expectations we had were met - and surpassed. Michael, Alison and Sandra, part of the collective of 'The Roving Canal Traders Association', organised and advertised widely … Continue reading A super successful time at Alvecote Floating Market – thanks to RCTA