I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year.

The weather has turned to winter and the cold days have taken the canals to a winter wonderland.

Many boats are now winterised and sitting comfortably in their moorings.

Shared boats can still be spotted on the canals enjoying the very quiet cruising of winter.

The scenery can be amazing and the joy of those short days and long evenings of peace in front of a roaring fire.

Many shared boats will take to the water over Christmas and New Year what a special treat for this festive time of year.

November 

Here we are in November and the rains have returned and yet again the rivers are in flood.

As 2012 comes to its close our thoughts are of the unusual weather this year.

The Clocks go back

Autumn colours are wonderful on the cut and a wonderful array of fungi is to be found along the tow path.

                                          Late Summer Days

We have just returned from a summer cruise to Stone and back.
The canals were fairly busy but only an odd queue at the locks made for enjoyable interludes chatting to fellow boaters.

What a change in the countryside!

We are busy preparing for our first weeks cruising this year.

It was to be a summer cruise !  I think it is more likely to be an April shower cruise in May.

Well, as we all know, the English weather is notoriously fickle and boaters have to accept whatever it offers us.

We look forward to meeting lots of our friends and to welcoming new friends to our stand at Crick.

This is our second attendance at Crick and preparations are underway.

The weather appears to have provided us with the much needed rain, which is slowly filling up the reservoirs.

Ducklings are now being seen on the cut, bushes and trees are showing their spring growth, summer must be on the way.

Look out for butterflies on the wing, I am informed this is an indication of rising temperatures and they appear at 15oC and above.

EASTER

How can it only be Easter?

March has arrived and nature thinks that spring is in the air!

The hedgerows and gardens are showing signs of new life emerging, birds are collecting bedding for their nests, lambs are appearing in the feilds.Flowers are bursting into existence and ready for mothering sunday the primroses are basking in the spring sunshine.