Big News: Chris Joins the IWA Board of Trustees
We are delighted to announce that Chris is joining the Board of Trustees of the Inland Waterways Association, bringing together his professional expertise, charitable…
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Adventures
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62 entries
A Hot Weekend on the Grand Union Canal
Gayton Junction, Grand Union Canal
A hot summer weekend with Neil and Naomi took us from a late-night reunion at Gayton Junction to Stoke Bruerne, seven locks, towpath breakfasts—and…
Read or watchDay 13: The Long Road Home
After returning our boat at Port Cassafières, we began the long drive home—reflecting upon nearly two weeks of locks, vineyards, historic cities and slow…
Read or watchDay 12: The Final Cruise to Port Cassafières
Our final cruise took us from Béziers through four locks to Port Cassafières, where we returned the boat and reflected upon an unforgettable journey…
Read or watchDay 11: Exploring Béziers and the Legacy of Riquet
A day ashore in Béziers took us from the medieval Pont Vieux and Saint-Nazaire Cathedral to the city’s darker history, Riquet’s legacy and an…
Read or watchDay 10: Through the Malpas Tunnel to Fonseranes
Fonseranes Locks, Béziers, Hérault, France
We travelled through the pioneering Malpas Tunnel, descended the spectacular Fonseranes staircase locks and crossed the Orb Aqueduct on an unforgettable journey into Béziers.
Read or watchDay 9: The Lock-Free Journey to Capestang
A peaceful, lock-free cruise carried us 22 kilometres from Le Somail to Capestang—where a famously low bridge and an unfinished medieval church provided the…
Read or watchDay 8: A Short Cruise to Le Somail
Le Somail, Aude, France
A gentler three-hour cruise took us through six locks from Homps to historic Le Somail, leaving plenty of time to explore one of the…
Read or watchDay 7: Fourteen Locks to Homps
With the locks open once again, we cruised 29 kilometres from Trèbes to Homps, negotiating 14 locks through the vineyard-covered landscape of the Minervois.
Read or watchDay 6: A Lock-Free May Day in Trèbes
With the Canal du Midi’s locks closed for the 1 May public holiday, we spent a welcome rest day exploring Trèbes, replenishing our supplies…
Read or watchDay 5: The Long Cruise from Bram to Trèbes
Trèbes, Aude, France
Our longest Canal du Midi cruise carried us 36 kilometres from Bram to Trèbes, through 13 locks and the beautiful countryside of the Aude.
Read or watchDay 4: Eighteen Locks to Bram
Bram, Aude, France
Our first Canal du Midi cruise took us 16 kilometres from Castelnaudary to Bram—an energetic introduction involving 18 locks, historic engineering and one remarkable…
Read or watchDay 3: Boarding Our Boat in Castelnaudary
Le Grand Bassin, Castelnaudary, France
We left Carcassonne, stocked up for the journey and boarded our boat beside Castelnaudary’s Grand Bassin before beginning our long-awaited adventure along the Canal…
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Day 2: Exploring the Medieval City of Carcassonne
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, Aude, France
After recovering from our 700-mile drive, we explored Carcassonne’s ancient ramparts, entered the Château Comtal and discovered the remarkable history behind its storybook walls.
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Day 1: The Road to Carcassonne—If Only We Could Get Out of Bed
Carcassonne, France
Our Canal du Midi adventure began with a 3.50 am oversleep, a frantic dash to Folkestone and a 700-mile drive across France to the…
Read or watchSouthampton Boat Show: Looking Beyond the Narrowboat World
Why would two narrowboat enthusiasts visit one of Britain’s largest sea-going boat shows? We attended Southampton in search of ideas for Priscilla’s interior, storage,…
Read or watchElectrika 2025: A Small Show with Big Insights
Electrika may be smaller than the major events in the waterways calendar, but its specialist focus made it exceptionally valuable. We explored electric-motor sizing,…
Read or watchWater Aboard Priscilla: Designing Fresh Water, Hot Water and Waste Systems
Priscilla’s water system must balance comfort, storage capacity, electrical demand and responsible waste management. We explore fresh-water tanks, pumps, hot-water options, wet-room drainage, cassette…
Read or watchPowering Priscilla: Designing the Electrical System for an All-Electric Narrowboat
Powering an all-electric narrowboat requires far more than a large battery and inverter. We explore how Priscilla could integrate propulsion, solar generation, shore power,…
Read or watchWarm from the Ground Up: Designing Zoned Underfloor Heating for Priscilla
Underfloor heating could give Priscilla warm floors, uncluttered walls and individually controlled living areas—but winter heating places major demands on an electric narrowboat. We…
Read or watchBreathing Space: Designing Ventilation, Moisture Control and Summer Cooling for Priscilla
Ventilating a steel narrowboat involves much more than fitting extractor fans. We explore how Priscilla could manage condensation, underfloor airflow, kitchen and bathroom extraction,…
Read or watchDesigning Priscilla’s Lighting, Wiring and Switch Plan
Priscilla’s lighting and electrical systems will be designed alongside her interior, with layered LED lighting, intuitive controls, carefully positioned power outlets and accessible wiring…
Read or watchInside Priscilla: Our Vision for the Perfect Narrowboat Layout
Step inside our evolving vision for Priscilla: a 58-foot narrowboat combining an extravagant cruiser stern, flexible living spaces, an all-electric galley and a calm…
Read or watchChoosing the Right Anchor, Chain and Rope for a Narrowboat
An anchor is a narrowboat’s emergency brake on fast-flowing and tidal waterways. We consider anchor selection, chain, rope, deployment and why generic weight recommendations…
Read or watchWhy Use Sound-Deadening Paint in a Narrowboat Engine Bay?
Sound-deadening paint can help reduce vibration from selected engine-bay panels, but it works best as part of a properly designed system incorporating marine acoustic…
Read or watchUK Waterways Where VHF Radio Is Required or Recommended
Most UK canals do not require marine VHF, but the position changes on tidal rivers, estuaries and commercial waterways. We examine where it is…
Read or watchWhy Would a Narrowboat Need a VHF Radio?
VHF may be unnecessary on a quiet canal, but it can become essential on tidal rivers, commercial waterways and busy port approaches. We consider…
Read or watchA Memorable Weekend Aboard Tilly Mint: Conquering Caen Hill
A breakdown on the M25 could not stop us joining Neil and Naomi aboard Tilly Mint for an unforgettable weekend tackling the 29 locks…
Read or watchUnderstanding VHF Radio for Narrowboats
A practical guide to marine VHF radio for narrowboats, including when it may be needed, Ofcom licensing, the RYA Short Range Certificate and the…
Read or watchWhy We’re Choosing a 58-Foot Narrowboat
Why we have chosen a 58-foot narrowboat with an enclosed bow and square stern—balancing access to the waterways with the space and comfort required…
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A Tranquil Weekend on Tilly Mint—Cruising into Bath
Bath, Somerset
A peaceful weekend aboard Tilly Mint took us from Bathampton into historic Bath for Georgian streets, canalside dining and a wonderfully relaxing return to…
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Visiting the Braunston Marina Historic Boat Show
Braunston Marina, Northamptonshire
Heavy canal traffic persuaded us to leave Tilly Mint behind and drive to Braunston, where historic boats, traditional engines and colourful parades brought Britain’s…
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Day 9: The Isle of Skye—Talisker, Fairy Pools and Highland Sunshine
Talisker and the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
With our Caledonian Canal voyage complete, one final adventure took us to the Isle of Skye for Talisker whisky, the Fairy Pools and an…
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Day 8: From Drumnadrochit to Laggan—The Journey Home
Drumnadrochit
Our final journey carried us from Drumnadrochit across Loch Ness, back through the five locks at Fort Augustus and towards Laggan, bringing an unforgettable…
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Day 7: From Inverness to Drumnadrochit—Urquhart Castle and a Night beside Loch Ness
Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit, Scottish Highlands
Our return journey from Inverness took us across Loch Ness to historic Urquhart Castle, followed by an unforgettable evening with fellow boaters near Drumnadrochit.
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Day 6: From Fort Augustus to Inverness—Across the Legendary Loch Ness
Inverness, Scottish Highlands
Our final outward journey carried us from Fort Augustus across the legendary waters of Loch Ness, through peaceful Loch Dochfour and along the Caledonian…
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Day 5: From Laggan to Fort Augustus—Five Locks and the Gateway to Loch Ness
Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands
Our journey from Laggan brought us to the five-lock flight at Fort Augustus, where teamwork and plenty of effort carried us through to the…
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Day 4: A Rainy Afternoon at Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
A wet afternoon took us away from the Caledonian Canal and towards Glenfinnan, where dramatic Highland weather provided the perfect backdrop to its famous…
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Day 3: From Laggan to Fort William via Loch Lochy
Our first full day of cruising took us from Laggan across spectacular Loch Lochy towards Fort William, combining Highland scenery, local history and a…
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Day 2: From Gretna Green to Laggan—Our Caledonian Canal Adventure Begins
After leaving Gretna Green, we travelled through the increasingly dramatic Highland landscape to Laggan, where our boat awaited us and our Caledonian Canal adventure…
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Driving to Gretna Green: Our Scottish Canal Adventure Begins
Gretna Green, Dumfries and Galloway
Our 12-day Scottish canal adventure began with a journey from East Sussex to historic Gretna Green, where we spent our first night before continuing…
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Returning to the Scene of the Crime: Tilly Mint Remains in Newbury
Newbury, Berkshire
Six days after nearly sinking Tilly Mint in Newbury, we returned intending to move her—only to discover that the flooding had worsened and the…
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We Nearly Sank Tilly Mint: A Narrow Escape in Newbury
Newbury, Berkshire
Strong flows caught Tilly Mint as we attempted to moor in Newbury, wedging her across the canal and leaving us facing the frightening possibility…
Read or watchDesigning Serenity: Our First Narrowboat Layout
In July 2023, we began transforming our narrowboat dream into a practical layout, designing a comfortable floating home then known as Serenity—an early step…
Read or watchFrom Hungerford to Crofton aboard Tilly Mint
Hungerford, Berkshire
We cruised aboard Tilly Mint from historic Hungerford through the North Wessex Downs towards Crofton, discovering how magnificent steam engines still help sustain the…
Read or watchCrofton Beam Engines: Where Steam Still Powers the Canal
Crofton Beam Engines, near Marlborough
We visited Crofton Beam Engines, where two remarkable steam engines survive in their original pumping station and still supply water to the Kennet &…
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Crick Boat Show 2023: The Countdown to Priscilla Begins
Crick
Our first visit to the Crick Boat Show transformed a distant retirement dream into the beginnings of a plan—and started our seven-year countdown to…
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Bowling Basin: Where the Canal Meets the Clyde
Bowling Basin, West Dunbartonshire
At the western end of the Forth & Clyde Canal, we explored Bowling Basin’s railway heritage, regenerated arches and staggering views “doon the watter”—and…
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Exploring Edinburgh Quay: Where the Union Canal Meets the City
Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge
We explored Edinburgh Quay on foot, discovering where the peaceful Union Canal meets the modern architecture and lively streets of Scotland’s capital.
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The Falkirk Wheel and Our Journey Towards Edinburgh
The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk
Neil and Naomi joined us at the Falkirk Wheel before Green Sandpiper was lifted onto the Union Canal for our journey east towards Edinburgh.
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From Tranquil Waters to Glasgow’s Bustling Streets
Port Dundas, Glasgow
A peaceful cruise aboard Green Sandpiper carried us along the Forth & Clyde Canal from Falkirk to Port Dundas, where tranquil waterways gave way…
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The Kelpies and the Beginning of Our Scottish Canal Adventure
The Kelpies, The Helix, Falkirk
Our Scottish canal adventure began with a visit to the magnificent Kelpies before we reached Falkirk, boarded Green Sandpiper and prepared to cruise towards…
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Driving to Scotland via Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian's Wall, near Brampton, Cumbria
Our Scottish canal holiday began with an eventful road trip from London to Glasgow, featuring good company, an excellent playlist and a cold, wet…
Read or watchCruising the Grand Union Canal Through Harefield
Grand Union Canal, Harefield, Greater London
A gloriously sunny cruise aboard Tilly Mint took us through the surprisingly rural landscape of Harefield, where the Grand Union Canal winds between woodland,…
Read or watchThrough the Tunnels from Tardebigge to Alvechurch
Worcester & Birmingham Canal, near Shortwood Tunnel
A memorable journey aboard Tilly Mint took us beneath the Worcestershire countryside through Tardebigge and Shortwood tunnels before emerging into daylight and continuing towards…
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A Relaxing Journey from Banbury to Thrupp
A peaceful summer journey aboard Tilly Mint took us from historic Banbury to the canalside village of Thrupp, following the wonderfully unhurried course of…
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A Weekend in Thrupp and Classic Cars at Blenheim Palace
Thrupp, Oxford Canal, Oxfordshire
A peaceful weekend aboard Tilly Mint in the canalside village of Thrupp was combined with polished chrome, motoring history and magnificent surroundings at Blenheim…
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Cruising Down the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation, North London
A rain-soaked cruise aboard Tilly Mint took us along the historic River Lee Navigation towards London’s Olympic Park, where nature, industry and modern regeneration…
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Our First Trip on Tilly Mint – An Unforgettable Adventure
Kennet and Avon Canal near The Cunning Man
Our first journey aboard Tilly Mint began as a peaceful autumn cruise along the Kennet and Avon Canal—until thick mist transformed the final approach…
Read or watchA Journey Down Memory Lane: Our First Canal Trip Together
Bray, Berkshire
Before we were married or had moved to Sussex, we joined our friends Dan and Jeff for our first boating trip together—a memorable journey…
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A Flooded Thames and a Piggyback on the London Loop
River Thames near Marble Hill Park, Richmond/Twickenham
An early walk together on the London Loop became unforgettable when the Thames flooded the path, my trainers proved useless and Chris provided an…
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A Love for Waterways: Adam’s Early Days with the National Trust
Newark Lock, River Wey Navigations, Surrey
Long before Priscilla became a dream, Adam was helping to protect Britain’s waterways as a National Trust volunteer at Newark Lock on the River…
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