This year has been very odd the weather seems to have been summer since April and the seasons have brought most wild flowers and plants forward by several weeks.
We are now seeing Red Campion, meadow sweet and Ragged Robin along our tow paths.
The sloes are filling out and the trees and bushes are heavy with fruit, the brambles are full of flower attracting many butterflies and show promise for an early and good harvest.
As we start our cruising again take a moment to enjoy the wonders of the tow path.

All owners are getting excited about the possibility of boating again in the near future.
It is sad to see the marinas full of dusty cobweb strewn boats.
With the wild flowers of spring fading and the summer roses and honeysuckle now giving us scents and smells. Let us hope the virus declines and allows a new normal to begin.

Another month has passed and our boats are checked by our staff but sadly we must wait until times are safer before we venture out again.
All those wonderful boaters that have made video's of their trips have made virtual cruising possible.
I thank you for this option when the boating bug bites

What a difference a month makes!
Many of us are either working exceedingly hard on behalf of those who are confined to home.
May I take this chance to say a huge thank you to everyone working for us all.

With most of our boats now out of winter works our spring cruising begins.
It seems amazing that the gardens and hedge rows in the Midlands are more like late March with leaves bursting and blackthorn in flower. Birds have started to collecting nesting materials and the general waking up of the countryside is well underway.

During the last few weeks we have at last seen a little more sun and it makes life on the cut come to mind.
Holidays are now starting to be planned and spring seems to be looking closer.
The nights are drawing out and the promise of the new cruising season is palpable.
My cruising guides have resurfaced and the joys of route planning are now underway.
See you all on the cut very soon

Happy New Year
After all the festivities are over life can go back to a steady pace on the canals.
We are all looking forward to longer days and the signs of new life in the spring.
With weather warnings of snow and ice we know that winter is far from over yet.
The blessing this year is the water levels are high and so our 2020 cruising should be easier and less restricted than last spring.

Christmas is here and we are all busy getting ready and meeting up with friends.
Just take a moment to consider those you may be far from their friends and families or are on their own and offer a hand of friendship this is equally applicable to boaters.
As a group of people boaters generally are friendly but because we only go on holiday our boats don't forget those who live onboard and may be very pleased just for a chat.
I wish all of those who visit this blog a Very Merry Christmas.

Currently I am in the midst of our boats annual meetings, this is a great time for everyone to get together and enjoy each others company.
It is always a pleasure to see owners who I have maybe only spoken to on the phone, they too can put a face to the name.
It would not be much fun without the forever present talk of toilets, I do not think I have ever had a chat about boating without it ending up on the subject of toilets.
Either we are all taken back to our childhoods when lavatorial chat was king?

Spring and Autumn are some of the most enjoyable times to be out on the canals.
Lovely sunny, crisp mornings and glorious days with cool evenings to snuggle by a lovely warm fire.
What more could you wish for to let your mind and body recover from modern life.
Now is the perfect time to look out for fungi be aware what maybe under your feet!