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As the tide turns, a storm’s brewing …
Barry had an easy journey into Birmingham last Thursday. Jim and my nephew Mathew joined him so the 13 Farmers Bridge locks were a doddle. Thank you guys, much appreciated. The tide begins to turn...
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The end of R and R for a while …
Today I’m leaving Barry – again! I have no idea when I’ll be back on board Areandare, or when life will return to any sort of ‘normality’ again. In the meantime, there’s plenty of supplies in the...
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A week of contrasts
I realised yesterday it’s been four weeks since I was on board a mobile Areandare – apart from the short journey down the lock at Gailey last week. Life’s certainly a little out of the ordinary at the...
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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...
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A winter in Worcester
After loving our time at Tattenhall Marina last year, from mid-August to 1st March, we’d planned on returning for winter this year. Being so close to my eldest daughter and grandsons was very special....
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All fired up, opened out and re-propped!
Arriving back on board Saturday afternoon, I’d been expecting to come across a very messy boat. I’m pleased to report I was very pleasantly surprised. Most of the work had been done to get our new...
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Settling in for a winter in Worcester
On Friday last week, Barry moved Areandare swiftly along the fast flowing river Severn without a problem, and by Monday, he’d moored her up safely in Worcester Marina, Lowesmoor Wharf, ready for our...
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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...
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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...
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Why I’m happy to be called a ‘Water Gypsy’
Before I begin this potentially controversial post, I want to apologise to a couple of lovely people. Simon and Jane – thank you SO much for arranging to come and help Barry a few months ago, and for...
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Moored up at Mercia Marina for the winter
It’s been a busy three weeks for me since I last posted on 11th October. I’ve been down to Brighton for a long weekend to see my youngest daughter, and up to Malpas for a week to see my eldest daughter...
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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...
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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...
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Midnight robbery mostly thwarted
Working for The Calendar Club’s Tamworth store, whilst Barry works for the (downstairs) Merry Hill one, mostly means relying on public transport. Apart from when we’re moored at Merry Hill’s embankment...
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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...
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So how much DOES it cost to live on a narrowboat?
Two years ago I spent many hours writing and researching a page for this site called ‘The costs of living on a narrowboat‘. We’d frequently been asked if it’s ‘cheaper’ than living on land. In reality...
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Twists turns and tumbles
Dear blog reader. Life has recently thrown me a few curved balls to contend with, meaning my writing mojo for 'adventures aboard NB Areandare' has temporarily dwindled dramatically. I believe it will...
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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...
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A most unexpected and scary sinking feeling
Despite the intense commitment required to staff our Calendar Club store seven days a week, after nine days of trading we’re (mostly!) loving it. Being Self-Employed Operators, earning on a commission...
View ArticleWillington to Shardlow with unexpected ice-breaking snowy boating
It’s been a while since we’ve welcomed friends on board for an overnight stay – AND cruised the cut with them. Tim’s no stranger to our boating adventures, having kept Barry company a few weeks ago...
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