At the end of August and the countryside is already starting to show signs of Autumn.
This is a fabulous time to cruise, the evenings can be warm and the sunsets amazing.
The opportunity to forage can increase your larder.
Thoughts of evenings reading in front of a roaring fire which produce that overwhelming feeling of relaxation after the busy summer adventures.

The meteorological summer has arrived with the advent of June and the days are long and warm.
Soon will be the longest day and a wonderful time for late evening cruising.
One of my favourite things to do on a warm evening is sitting on the deck and watching the bats diving around in the moon light is a lovely treat.
Happy cruising

Now I am back from my holiday on the Macclesfield canal I can only eulogize about the beauty of the Peak district.
It is a wonderful experience to travel the length of this beautiful canal with views of the Peaks around every corner.
The a joining Peak forest canal into Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth basin is something to savour.
This trip we decided to investigate a little further afield and caught the bus from High Lane into Stockport.
This town has some lovely old buildings sadly often spoilt by 1970-80s architecture near by.

Here comes summer!
The show season is starting with the Braunston Share Show on the 22nd and 23rd of April.
Why not pop along to take a look at some shared boats and talk to their owners.
The three shared ownership management companies will all be there to welcome you to the shared ownership way of boating.
Each company offers something different one of which is certain to suit your needs.

Officially spring is here.
Enquiries for shares are increasing, our syndicates are out cruising.
The canals are still very quiet you can often cruise all day with only an occasional boat n view.
With central heating and a lovely solid fuel dove on board cruising can be very nice.

It is with excitement that our owners go aboard after upgrade s during the winter maintenance.
My boat being no exception, we have had a bathroom make over taking out the old corner bath and adding a walk in shower.
Tomorrow will be the day our syndicate see the changes!

January sees several boats enjoying the peaceful cruising of the winter.
Although many of our syndicates chose to have their annual maintenance undertaken during January and February.
This is a very exciting time as we start to prepare for another year of cruising.
Happy New Year

Fire works and bonfires are now part of the next few weekends.
With exited and scared children enjoying the fun of halloween and fireworks.
We have watched many firework displays from our boat and at Great Haywood you can have a spectacular view of Shugborough Hall Extravaganza.
I am sure the canal moorings going up towards the lock will have a similar view this year.
Happy Cruising

Another summer comes at a close and the joys of Autumn are upon us.
The lovely warm days and cooler evenings with beautiful changes of colour in the countryside.
We are now restarting the heating and lighting the stoves, this is a gentle reminder that although we would like to stop up all of the draughts we all need to beware of the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide.
This invisible gas can and does kill boaters every year.
Please check your battery in the CO monitor and resist the urge to block up the ventilation.
Happy boating

What a wonderful cruise I had with friends during July.
We had two weeks cruising to the Black Country Museum and return to Stratford on Avon
This is my first trip on the southern Stratford it is a very restful canal, if you excuse the very narrow bridges.
If you have not traveled on this section it is one canal I will be adding to my favourites list.
This journey is one of contrasts, if a little energetic, you can take some relief on the Birmingham sections.