After spending the night at the secure visitor moorings opposite the Cadbury Chocolate Factory at Bournville we commenced the relatively short journey into Birmingham City Centre. We couldn't believe how beautiful and peaceful this entry into a Birmingham was. The Birmingham and Worcester Canal forms a natural green corridor through the leafy suburbs of Edgbaston … Continue reading Arrive in Birmingham City Centre in Style
This canal is enshrined in folklore for all sorts of reasons. Hundreds of live aboard boats for one. The Wiltshire countryside with its crop circles and witches. The sheer size of the Caen flight of locks and stunning city of Bath 100 locks later. None of these were a problem and we thoroughly enjoyed this … Continue reading Beautiful Kennet and Avon
The first place of interest on the Kennet and Avon is Reading and the river Kennet goes right through the middle. The Oracle is a modern shopping centre and eating venue. We had to press traffic lights (a first on the boat) before entering through a very low bridge with an awkward curve and wow … Continue reading Reading Oracle surprise
We arrived in Henley-on-Thames the day after the Royal Regatta and the start of Henley Festival week. We expected to sail straight through as most moorings are reserved but at 1.30 pm we actually found the perfect mooring at Mills Meadow Park. So here we are nestled between the the gin palaces. There is a … Continue reading Found a mooring in Henley-on-Thames in Festival Week
A short uphill walk from Cookham on the river Thames and we are looking around probably the best positioned house in the country - Cliveden. It has vast views into the distance with the river Thames meandering through the scenery. The gardens, lawns and borders are clipped and manicured into great effect. I particularly loved … Continue reading Cliveden estate, and celebrating 100 years since Nancy Astor became an MP
Yesterday we fulfilled a lifetime ambition. We ventured on to the tidal Thames from Limehouse Marina in the East End to Teddington to the west of London. This involved cruising on the very busy and very choppy river right through the centre of London passing the Tower, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St.Pauls, Westminster, London Eye, … Continue reading A Once in a Lifetime Experience
Today it’s a journey from Willowtree Marina to Little Venice along the Paddington Arm, over 11 miles with no locks. We had a boat full of friends and family with my sister and 2 nieces all with their respective partners. Overall the majority of the canal was very pleasant and only small sections were grubby … Continue reading Arriving in Little Venice
Mention the Grand Union Canal to me in less enlightened times and I would have envisaged an industrial landscape with forgotten decaying industrial buildings and ugly views. How wrong could I be. Yesterday we passed underneath the M25 on our approach to London. Tonight only 19 miles from central London (Paddington) we are moored in … Continue reading Grand Union Canal
On the third night of our trip we have moored at Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire after navigating Blisworth Tunnel the third longest in the country. This canal town is probably one of the best unspoilt Canal villages in the country and is the home of the Canal and River Trust Canal Museum which has many … Continue reading Skittles in Stoke Bruerne
Today we travelled further along the Grand Union canal to moor up opposite Rugby Boat Sales which was where we bought "Iron Butterfly" back in October 2017. This was probably one of the best decisions we have made. We really love this boat which is giving us so much pleasure in the summers and spawned … Continue reading Return to the start of a new life
