Narrowboat Dreams

A New Fit-out blog

2011-10-29T20:39:00.001+01:00

We have decided to start a new blog following the fit-out of our narrowboat.

>CLICK HERE<

Tesco don't want you.

2011-10-14T14:06:00.001+01:00

And here's us thinking the new Tesco at Leigh on the Bridgewater was going to be a good stopping point forboaters to do a bit of shopping but it looks like Tesco has other ideas, theyhave put up a fence to stop access from the canal. Never mind Aldi is only acouple of hundred yards further on.

Shell

2011-09-17T22:04:00.000+01:00

Our shell has arrived. Spotted it while walking Charlie this morning, when we got back to the car we noticed a missed call, message left confirming our thoughts. Going to try and get down to see it before next weekend.

Narrowboat hogging the bridgewater

2011-08-29T18:56:00.000+01:00

Spotted this yesterday while walking Charlie down from Lymm, adrift in the middle of the canal and too far out to be able to pull back to the towpath. Not sure how far it had travelled as we never came across any mooring pins in the bank unless they were pulled into the water.

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-27T16:16:00.001+01:00

The holiday we've been looking forward to for the past 9 months. We should be landing in JFK New York at 6pm today but due to the hurricane our flight this morning was cancelled, so no doubt I’ll spend to rest of my holiday on the phone trying to get a refund, problem is so will the other thousands of people in the same situation, I’ve spent the last hour sitting in a queue until I gave up.

Just hope the the hurricane loses strength soon and doesn't cause too much damage or injury to the locals.

Audlem vintage transport festival

2011-07-31T21:12:00.001+01:00

What a nice day we had down at Audlem vintage transport festival, there was a lot of activity on the canal and lots of historic boats to see.

Last minute checks

2011-07-17T20:32:00.002+01:00

We went down to the boatyard this weekend as we knew a 57’ shell had come in, it was a good opportunity to do some last minute checks to make sure all our dimensions were correct. Only a couple of small changes, had to lose six inches on the internal length as it was forty-one foot, a little less than we had thought, last chance for changes before the order goes off for fabrication. The shell we looked at was by Collingwood narrowboats and we thought it seemed good, we have a few choices of shell makes.

New boat

2011-07-02T13:40:00.000+01:00

Well we have finally gone and done it, for the last few weeks we have been putting pencil to paper and drawing up plans of our new boat, today we put down the deposit on the shell and hopefully expect delivery in mid September.

Crick Boat Show

2011-05-30T17:44:00.002+01:00

We set off this morning a bit later than we would have liked, after taking Charlie for his walk, filling the car up with petrol and checking the tyre pressures and oil, it was getting on a bit. The trip down to Crick was a good one, no delays and we managed to do the hundred and seventeen miles in just less than two hours arriving at nine forty-five, perfect timing. This was our third visit to the show and it was definately quieter this year. We’ve always been lucky with the weather and I suppose this year wasn’t too bad as the rain did stay off for us.

We weren’t planning on viewing any boats this year but as there was hardly anyone about early on we did pop on a couple, our main intention this year was to gather as much information about equipment we would need if our plan to get a sailaway finally goes ahead.

We did our compulsory walk down the canal admiring everyone’s boats and taking some photos before doing a last circuit around the stands and off home with lots of stuff to read up on.

Moorings

2011-05-01T13:42:00.001+01:00

We were off scouting for suitable moorings again this weekend, everything seems too far away and local moorings are unavailable…full. Don’t know what we are going to do.

Copper Kettle

2011-04-25T15:59:00.000+01:00

We’ve found ourselves a nice antique kettle on eBay, it holds eight mugs of water, has no leaks and looks great. All that's lacking is a good polish.

Oh No!

2011-04-20T18:23:00.000+01:00

Had to get these. Must have items as far as we're concerned.

Boat builders

2011-04-09T16:38:00.001+01:00

It’s been almost a year since we last posted a blog, doesn’t time fly.
Anyway we've been out and about visiting some local boat builders in the area, and I was shocked at the lack of interest by some of them in selling to us, its as if they cant be arsed. Maybe its because we only want a sailaway and not a fully fitted out boat.

Crick Show 2010

2010-05-31T10:40:00.006+01:00

Can’t believe it, no rain today ‘Sunday’ at the Crick boat show. Who would have thought it would turn out so nice after such a horrible rainy day on Saturday, and what a great day we had. It’s the first time we’ve been able to chat to boat owners and ask them their opinion on things, plus we went better prepared this year with lots of questions to ask. Learnt so much and took in the advice given, changed our minds on so much we thought wouldn’t change. Time to start a fresh scrapbook of ideas again.

Looking down the Grand Union from the temporary footbridge.

Nb. Kildare and President.

We managed to add a few more names to our list of bloggers boats that we’ve seen. Met the owners of Nb Oakfield and Nb Debdale while waiting to view Fernwoods Nb “Gone Bush”, also spotted Del & Al (Nb Derwent6) walking down the towpath while we were taking a trip on the dayboat, shouted after them and gave a wave.

Nb. Derwent6.

Nb. Oakfield

Nb. Moore2Life.

We had a look around Sanity Again, and what a nice boat it is. Talked to Peter from Braidbar Boats, we will definately be giving them a visit when we’re closer to getting our boat.

Nb. Sanity Again.

Lost Comment.

2010-05-20T18:52:00.002+01:00

Missing a comment, John we thank you for the comment you left us on our chainsaw post. But it seems to have gone! Can we assure you it was not deleted by us.

Chainsaw

2010-05-19T19:27:00.005+01:00

Putting the cart before the horse we know, but had to get this chainsaw seemed like a good deal. All we need now is a stove to burn our logs on, oh! And a boat.

Historic Boat Gathering, Ellesmere Port

2010-04-04T17:51:00.005+01:00

Visited Ellesmere Port Boat Museum today and the historic boat gathering that is on over the Easter period, apart from being a bit windy the weather was fine and it was a good day out.

Ellesmere Port Easter Boat gathering

2010-03-27T13:01:00.001Z

Off to Ellesmere port next weekend to an Easter boat gathering, not been for a few years so looking forward to it.
http://www.nwm.org.uk/ellesmere/

Audlem Art Exhibition

2010-03-22T18:50:00.001Z

Went down to Audlem mill to visit the art exhibition on Sunday, the paintings were excellent and such a nice atmosphere about the place. Wasn’t able to a buy genuine paintings but did come away with a couple of nice prints, and a few other bits and bobs. Had lunch in the Shroppie Fly in front of a nice open log fire, and then a stroll down the canal to a spot were we had moored up for the night a few years ago on our way back from doing the three counties.
Spotted NB Ephiphany moored up on the opposite towpath.

Holidays 2010

2010-02-13T13:59:00.002Z

Well we’ve booked it, our holiday for this year on a 56ft Trad with engine room, boatmans cabin and traditional controls, should be great. This time we're off to Llangollen for definite no changing our minds at the last minute like last year.

Crick Boat Show 2010

2010-02-08T21:13:00.003Z

Tickets booked, lets hope the weather is as good as last year.

All change at the last minute.

2009-11-02T12:08:00.084Z

Back from our Holidays already.

It was slow to arrive and went so fast. We'd planned on a week cruising the Llangollen canal, or as far as the Pontscysyllte Aqueduct, but at the last minute we got cold feet and decided against it, would our trip to Llangollen and back be to ambitious for one week. we had big doubts and would have been very disappointed if time ran out on us and we had to turn around before reaching the aqueduct. So we opted for an alternative route and decided on the Cheshire Ring. 97 miles, 92 locks and 50 hours.

One other thing we planned to do on our trip was to write a daily blog, armed with laptop, camera and broadband dongle we set off, but as you can see that didn't happen either. And the reason why, well we were just to shattered by the end of each day, so I'm doing it now.

The big day arrived and we collect NB Cheshire Cat from Preston Brook at 15:00, loaded up our things and after all the safe checks and operating instructions we finally cast off at 16:00, later than we would have liked but we always seem to be the last to leave, must remember to get there even earlier next time. Wasn't much progress done that first day, we only managed to reach Walton Hall Gardens before it started getting dark and we had to pull over for the night.

Walton Hall

Day two we were up bright and early, took Charlie for his walk and cast off around 07:00, it was a lovely morning.

Passing through Grappenhall

It wasn’t long before we were passing through Stockton Heath and then Lymm, parts of the canal we walk quite often.

What a lovely first day, twenty miles of lock free cruising, we both knew tomorrow wasn't going to be quite so easy, twenty-six locks. Not sure what time we arrived at Castlefield junction but it wasn’t late, we found a spot for the night and tied up.

Castlefield Junction
Day 3. We were queued up at 08:00 and ready for the Rochdale Nine, a flight of wide beam locks and we paired up with the crew of Agatha for this section of locks, all went well except we found access on foot between locks wasn't easy in some sections.

Beetham Tower
Oxford Street

Oh I managed to smash my camera while in my pocket, not happy about that, it was a present last Christmas.
Soon finished the double locks and started down Ashton Canal,

locking and unlocking gates was a pain but obviously necessary on this section. Filled up with water at Fairfield Junction and happy to be away from this stretch of water, the canal was dirty and obviously not appreciated by the locals. One last push and we moored up for the night just around the corner from Portland Basin and the start of the Peak Forest canal.

Day 4. Up early again today as we need to keep on schedule. We had been so lucky with the weather and today was no exception. we stopped at Romiley to pick up food from the local Aldi, handy not much of a walk.

Time to pick up supplies

Setting off again and just through Hyde Bank Tunnel and we see NB Caxton and Matilda Rose moored up, didn't see anyone about but it was good to spot boats we knew.

Leaving Hyde Bank Tunnel

Passing over the Marple aqueduct as we got ready for the next sixteen locks, really missing my camera. After starting the locks we were soon caught up by NB Jessica with a crew of six who kindly gave us a hand with the remaining locks, and so glad they did as I was beginning to feel the strain on my bad knee. Marple junction was a good place to stop for a bite to eat now the hard bit of the day was over, the rest of the day was much easier.
Finally stopping for the night just before Lyme View Marina at bridge sixteen, a lovely quite spot.

Goyt Mill.

Day 5. This morning we cruised down through Bollington and Macclesfield and the Bosley locks, passed NB Sanity at bridge 25.

As we had done so well for time and the weather was glorious we decided to stop for lunch. This is when the thing we had dreaded most of all happened. Charlie decide to make a leap for the bank before we had actually reached yet, silly doggy so impatient, all six stone plus of him splashed half in and half out of the water, poor thing was left clinging to the bank, too far in the water to pull himself out, Corinne made a jump for the tow path when it was within reach and ran to try and help him, he doesn't wear his collar very often and for some reason we hadn't put his life jacket on this morning so there wasn't anything to grab hold of to pull him out, I managed to secure the boat and come to help with Charlie, I got hold of him behind his front legs and managed to pull him out. He must have been so cold he was in the water for a good few minutes, and I know how cold the water was after clearing out the weed hatch a couple of days ago. Anyway everything was ok, he got dried off and life jacket put on. the rest of the day was pretty uneventful, we moored up near Little Moreton Hall for the night.

Day 6. Yet another dry day and we're on the go again bright and early, everything was going well. We left the Macclesfield canal and joined the rusty waters of the Trent & Mersey when at lock 43 reverse gear stopped working on the Cheshire Cat, we pulled over at BW Red Bull and phoned for help, this was at 08:30, Time for a cup of tea. two hours later and we were underway again at 10:30 not bad service I thought. We worked our way through twenty-eight locks and surprisingly ended up not far for our intended destination before the breakdown, lock 68 just outside Middlewich.

Hall Green Lock 13

Day 7. Once again we were on the go nice and early but this time as we were casting off NB Jessica and her crew joined us down the first couple of locks and then again through Big Lock at Middlewich, that was the last time we met up with them along the way. we followed behind another boat all the way though to Anderton were we made use of the BW rubbish disposal.

Passing Anderton Boat Lift

We did all three tunnels today Barnton, Saltersford and Preston Brook. When we entered Preston Brook the exit could be seen, but it never seemed to get any closer, took twenty minutes to pass through. We moored up for the night and went for a walk to find a shop for something to eat and a bottle of wine to celebrate us finishing on time.

Waiting for access to Preston Brook Tunnel

Day 8. Our last morning on Cheshire Cat, all that is left to do was drop the boat back of at Preston Brook, we packed and got all our things together had breakfast a cruised as slow as possible back to base, making the most of the last minutes aboard. We had to be back for 9 am we had easily done it with time to spare, the car was loaded and we were on our way home.

The week aboard Cheshire Cat had been a good one, some hard work but that's something we ain't scared of, even Charlie enjoyed it and he wasnt eager to get in the car to come home, now that isnt like him. We were planning our next canal holiday before we had reached home. The Cheshire Ring was a good choice and we would definately do it again. Maybe two weeks next time so we can spend more time exploring.

Datawind, Free Internet

2009-07-11T22:28:00.001+01:00

The wireless technology company Datawind today upped the stakes in the highly competitive netbook market by launching a new portable PC that offers free access to the internet from anywhere in the UK, .
The Datawind UbiSurfer is available now, at a price of £159.99, which includes 30 hours per month of internet surfing via the Vodafone network. The netbook can also connect using standard wi-fi or ethernet connections.

Times Online article

Datawind, UbiSurfer Webite

Narrowboat Books

2009-06-20T15:22:00.003+01:00

Our Narrowboat library is growing, we received ‘The Inland Boat Owners Book’ free with our subscription to Waterways magazine today.

Anderton Boat Lift.

2009-06-14T19:20:00.003+01:00

Our day on the Trent and Mersey canal and River Weaver at Anderton, our first time on the boat lift.

Weather was good today, Trent and Mersey Canal.

Looking down at Anderton Boat Lift with Winnington works in the background.

Entering the lift at the top.

Leaving the lift.

Looking back towards Anderton boat lift from the river Weaver.

Crick Boat Show (Sunday)

2009-05-25T11:10:00.006+01:00

At last a boat show. Neither of us have ever been to one before so we’ve been looking forward to this one, Saturday night and the alarm clock was set for 6 a.m the next day, camera batteries charged and bags pack ready for an early start in the morning, we planned on setting off early to miss the rush.
6 o’clock came around too fast, I was just getting off to sleep! Hit the snooze button for ten more minutes and we both got up, peeking through the curtain just hoping it wasn’t raining, looks like it could be an alright day, took Charlie for a walk, we had decided not to take him with us as we planned on seeing inside as many NB’s as possible. I’m so glad we didn’t as it was such a hot day and the 240+ miles round trip wouldn’t have been fair on him. The journey was a good one and we arrived just after nine, time for a cup of tea and relax in the car before the show opens at ten.

Nearly ten o'clock and the queues were getting larger, so glad we decided to get there early, the gates opened and the first boat we came to was a wide beam buit by Viking canal boats Ltd, not what we want but we took a look anyway as we had never been on a WB before. Heading on down to the marina all the NB's came into view, what a choice. We saw 'Caxton' with the layout and portholes just as we like it. 68' 'Scarpa' too long for us but a lovely boat. 'Miss behavin' based at Bridgewater canal not far from us and lots more, disappointed not to see on Northwich Nb's but I dont like the appointment system, but we both thoroughly enjoyed the show it was excellent, very well organized, weather was fantastic, got to look around quite a few boats that confirmed our choice of layout and our decision to go with portholes instead of windows. Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful.

Charlie got his lifejacket that fitted him perfect when we got home, We have always been worried about him falling in the water and not being able to lift him out without one of us jumping in after him, he’s a big lad so hopefully the handle on the back of this jacket will ease the worry.

Oh! We couldn’t resist getting him a bandana, all the dogs we saw at the show had one on and they looked so cute, now he will look the part on any NB.

A fantastic show, so glad we decided to go.

Church Minshull

2009-05-03T14:06:00.005+01:00

We went for a walk along the canal at Church Minshull today to see the new marina, and watch the boats at Minshull Lock. The new marina looks very nice, not sure if the empty spaces are still to be filled or maybe people are out and about taking advantage of the long weekend and good weather, it was a bit breezy today but the sun did put in an appearance every now and then to warm us all up. Quite busy at the lock too, it was good to sit and watch everyone coming and going.

New Marina.

Busy day at Minshull Lock.

Need to take a pack lunch next time.

Holiday is booked

2009-04-25T09:46:00.003+01:00

Well finally our holiday this year is booked. We are spending one week cruising the llangollen canal in October. Looking forward to going over the Pontscysyllte Aqueduct, for the first time. Let's hope the weather stays fine for then.

Crick Boat Show

2009-03-12T21:49:00.004Z

Got the tickets today for the upcoming boat show. Looking forward to seeing whats there and getting some info.

Bridgewater Canal. Lymm, Cheshire

2009-02-22T21:34:00.008Z

Sunday we went for a walk along the Bridgewater canal at Lymm, quite a lot of boat activity today and we never knew there was a boat builders in Lymm, they were shut today but we shall probably pay them a visit in the future, looked like they have five boats built and ready for fit-out. http://www.lmbs.co.uk/frame.htm

Lymm Bridge looking down the main street, with The Bulls Head on the left and The Golden Fleece on the right within 100 yds of the canal, both serving food, Somerfield is at the bottom of the hill with a bank and cash machine opposite.

It’s agreed we like portholes rather than windows, not sure how dark it makes things inside the boat but we like the look. I would imagine it also makes things more private, more secure and warmer too, side hatches in the saloon to let in a bit more light and to allow us to have a through breeze in the summer. Oh forgot to say, we would like a reverse layout, the reason being, easy access to the kitchen from the stern for brews and snacks, plus with the bedroom at the front it would not be used as a dumping ground for whatever we are carrying.

Overall it was a good walk with lots of nice boat, things did get a bit choppy on the way back though.

Introduction

2009-02-16T11:24:00.007Z

Hello and thanks for dropping by,

We intend to blog about how we would like our bespoke live aboard narrowboat to be, and why we would choose to do things this way rather than that, also record our travels to the canal towpaths and organised events. It’s more than likely we will contradict ourselves on numerus occasions as we are forever seeing and reading what seem to be better ways for us to doing something.

Hopefully fulfilling our dream of owning and living aboard a narrowboat.

As this is our first blog we should explain exactly why we are blogging, Admittedly we don’t know the first thing about narrowboats so don’t be to hard on us, well when I say don’t know the first thing, that is a bit untrue, we probably do know the very basic’s as we have for the last couple of weeks been addicted to all your blogs and any sites connected to canals.
We had our first taste of the canals, ‘not literally thank goodness’ two years ago on a one week’s holiday cruising the Four Counties ring from Middlewich in Cheshire, when you consider we had never been on a narrowboat before that, it was a challenging week but we did it.

Hope to see you again…