The Home Brew Boat first began trading at canal-related festivals in Droitwich April 2014. Over the following three years the cruising plan was primarily based around planned events from April through to October. This year we decided to make considerable changes. We felt our floating lives were becoming 'same old', and we were at risk … Continue reading Three Fabulous Festivals of 2018
Wild Side
Christmas craziness with three weeks to go
One of my favourite sayings is the serenity 'prayer'. You know the one that says "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change and courage to change those I can."? Last week's weather was one of those events over which we have no control. At this time of year it was … Continue reading Christmas craziness with three weeks to go
Half way already and loving Lichfield
Hard to believe but today we're seven weeks into our fourteen week commitment with Calendar Club at The Three Spires Shopping Centre in Lichfield. Time sure does fly when you're having fun ... Barry and I are working surprisingly well together, sharing time in the shop and ensuring we each have regular time out. We … Continue reading Half way already and loving Lichfield
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
Having a blogging break …
It won't come as too much of a surprise to hear that blogging has taken a backwards step in our busy lives for the time being. We're not boating until early April - instead we're enjoying three months off, relishing the space-between-'work' to travel, and be with family and friends in the northern and southern … Continue reading Having a blogging break …
Moving boats – and a return journey I never expected to make
It's been another full, fun and fascinating week for Barry and I living our 'life less ordinary'. You know the saying '... like ships that pass in the night"? Well that's been us more so than our 'normal' recently - and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Maybe that's one of the crucial … Continue reading Moving boats – and a return journey I never expected to make
Trading Tales – The Jam Boat
This week's Trading Tale features a couple who've been greatly missed on the cut so far this year. Sometimes life throws us a curved ball and we take time to readjust and refocus. We're hoping to see them at the three events they currently have scheduled in September ... Introducing Helen and Andy What’s the … Continue reading Trading Tales – The Jam Boat
Barry’s Favourite 50 Images from 2015 – Part 2
The next stage of our trip took us from the Alvechurch Festival through to Crick, back up to Middlewich for the Folk and Boat Festival, then up the Shropshire Union Canal. Once we'd passed through the Adderley Locks, we were up to Market Drayton where we traded with the Roving Canal Traders Association for the … Continue reading Barry’s Favourite 50 Images from 2015 – Part 2
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
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
Being human on the waterways
It's an infinitely fascinating life living on a narrowboat, cruising and trading on the canals as we do. Unfortunately the weather's been attempting to drown us with squally showers and intermittent hail, with a dash of sunshine thrown in to keep our spirits up. I've had to keep my waterproof trousers and coat on, as … Continue reading Being human on the waterways
Getting a soaking at Alvechurch AND en route to Crick
We're currently 'speeding' along at 3-4 mph to the Crick Boat Show. Barry's driving in the pouring rain which promises to accompany us throughout the day. Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of sitting it out as we've 55 miles and 79 locks to get to Crick in time for the show. I'll be making … Continue reading Getting a soaking at Alvechurch AND en route to Crick
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
A splendid birthday weekend at Parkhead Canal festival
I'm only a mere ten days late posting about the sunny smiles that lit up our souls at the Parkhead Festival, on the last weekend of September ... Birthday celebrations I have to admit to feeling a little disappointed when we'd booked into the event, knowing it was my birthday weekend. But I sucked it … Continue reading A splendid birthday weekend at Parkhead Canal festival
Caught on camera
A lovely lady called Pip Norton contacted us a few months ago, to ask if we'd be interested in being a part of a documentary she's producing about Roving Canal Traders. We didn't hesitate to say "Yes please!" - both to increase our visibility and to promote the possibilities available to people to live and … Continue reading Caught on camera
Bright and bustling in the Black Country
There's certainly nothing dark and smoggy about The Black Country this weekend. What wonderful, down-to-earth and friendly folks we've had the pleasure of meeting so far. Barry had an endless stream of visitors to The Home Brew Boat - not all were buying, but they took business cards away with a lot more knowledge of … Continue reading Bright and bustling in the Black Country
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
Fourth Fantastic Festival full of fun …
Life's returned to a semblance of normality recently, as I've been back on board Areandare since Friday evening. My elder sister, Kath, covered me for the weekend so I could return 'to work'. I find that quite amusing, as the 'work' we do is so different and variable in comparison to anything I've previously experienced. … Continue reading Fourth Fantastic Festival full of fun …
Droitwich Festival a great success – now taking life one day at a time …
St Richard's Festival Wow! What a wonderful three days we had last weekend at Vines Park, Droitwich. Last year's festival we visited Helen and Andy by train on the Sunday, when they were the only narrowboat trading. Being there, moored alongside them this year, was a dream come true. However, due to the vagaries of life's current … Continue reading Droitwich Festival a great success – now taking life one day at a time …