We didn't waste our time listening to 'the announcement' last night from the Prime Minister. I've heard from many sources it was as vague as ever ...
The Home Brew Boat
Day 23 – Feeling Quiet and Reflective
How are you doing out there? If you're anything like me, you'll be up and down - depending on what 'news' you've allowed yourself to be exposed to ...
Day 14 – Thriving Through Transformative Times
We're all living through a period of transformation at the moment. I've enjoyed supporting a small business today, and we've news on our small business ...
The Home Brew Boat Business Up For Sale!
After almost six years, The Home Brew Boat business is up for sale. Barry has enjoyed sharing his knowledge of home brewing and is ready to hand over ...
Telling Our Truth About Narrowboat Trading – Gone Live!
We're proud to be in the Narrowboat Experience's mini-series on 'the real narrowboat experiences of the United Kingdom'. Telling it from our perspective ...
Re-Focussing On Being Present In 2020
Just before Christmas I decided it was time to reduce the time I spent on Social Media. Specifically Facebook and Twitter. During the December 2019 election run-up it became strikingly apparent that having these Apps on my phone was becoming addictive. I'm sure you know a little about how Facebook works - its clever algorithms … Continue reading Re-Focussing On Being Present In 2020
First Trading weekend Since September
We're slowly finding time to emerge into the 2019 trading season. Though it's still far too chilly to stand around selling on the towpath! But needs must ...
Continuing to discover ways to sustain our flexible floating lifestyle
It may seem to some readers we spend most of our time enjoying ourselves. Together, with family, and with friends. True, life in the Teutenberg/Walsh boathold (no household here!) it's vastly different to the majority of people in our peer group. However, we are NOT retired. Barry has another two and half years to go; … Continue reading Continuing to discover ways to sustain our flexible floating lifestyle
Some strange synchronistic happenings
Years ago, when I initially ventured to New Zealand in the British autumn of 2001, I treasured the gift of time to read a number of inspirational books. One of these was 'The Celestine Prophesy'. I recall it talked about how people come into your life for a reason, and each one, if you're open … Continue reading Some strange synchronistic happenings
Huddlesford – for us a final 2017 gathering of registered traders
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
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
Delighted to return to Droitwich
One of our first events as Floating Traders, was St Richard's Festival in Droitwich in 2014. Our dear friends Helen and Andy, from Wild Side, had already been trading there for a couple of years, so it was very special to moor up snugly next to them for the first time. This year will also be … Continue reading Delighted to return to Droitwich
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
Blisworth to Birmingham with The Doggie Boat
We had a second brilliant weekend at the Blisworth Canal Festival last weekend. The people of the village and surrounding areas, who arrive in their throngs, are extremely friendly and jovial. It didn't begin too well when Barry and I took my gazebo to the festival field to erect it on the Friday evening. The … Continue reading Blisworth to Birmingham with The Doggie Boat
A sunken boat – hopefully not an omen!
At some point during our festive gathering in 2012, Barry and I pulled a couple of swish crackers. Being only a few months before our big move to the UK, it was serendipitous and rather creepy that the gifts inside ours were a wine glass trinket each (you know the ones that you clip on … Continue reading A sunken boat – hopefully not an omen!
Brilliant Birmingham Greenways map and a journey with bonuses
I caught up with Barry and the boat in Birmingham last Monday, after an emotional weekend in Brighton saying 'farewell for now' to my beautiful, brave younger daughter. I'll miss her loads, and my mini-breaks to the seaside. It reminds me of the spirit of Gisborne, though the beaches are a complete contrast. Gisborne's are … Continue reading Brilliant Birmingham Greenways map and a journey with bonuses
Making the most of Middlewich FAB Festival
There's something magical about the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival that impels us to return each year. Having not booked for 2016 as we'd planned to be on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, we were relieved to sneak in on a late cancellation. After another long journey, this time from Liverpool, we arrived late afternoon on … Continue reading Making the most of Middlewich FAB Festival
Much loveliness in Liverpool and a temporary new crew member
What an interesting weekend we had in Liverpool. As a Trade Boat, we're frequently frustrated by time constraints which curtail the amount of exploring we can do. Barry previously visited Liverpool way back in 1976, staying with family of a girlfriend (Shirley) on his six-month soiree to England. The only other time I've passed through (literally), … Continue reading Much loveliness in Liverpool and a temporary new crew member
An up and down weekend at St Richard’s Festival in Droitwich
“Stay in the gazebo or you’ll catch your death!” Adults often say the most ridiculous things to children without thinking. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this startling statement uttered by a parent of children waiting to have their faces painted. Luckily they all saw the funny side too. “Oh look. There’s death. … Continue reading An up and down weekend at St Richard’s Festival in Droitwich
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