Five years afloat.

         

During our continuous cruising we have met and befriended many people, most of whom are/were fellow boaters. Three of us used to moor together over winter and the girls and boys would sometimes go off together, or to the nearby pub for lunch. Now they have moved back onto land we have visited them in their new homes and still keep in touch with each other. Our first four winters we were iced into the canal but it was nice and cosy aboard because the Squirrel was keeping everything warm. The fuel boats cover much of the canal  system, so we send them a text and they stop by to fill our diesel tank and drop off a few bags of coal, perfick!  Boaty news and information is exchanged while the topping up is in process, the canal boat grapevine also works very well! The places we have cruised to are, Gloucester, Chester, Manchester, Nottingham, Market Harborough, Oxford, Paddington and everywhere in-between!. It was great to moor right outside Paddington Station free for one week as we were within easy reach of many shops and the underground and all the lovely parks.

 

We have many favourite mooring  places, but I think anywhere between Foxton, Braunston or Rugby and down to Thrupp is just fine by us. Gloucester must be the trip we like the most though, as we have cruised down three times, so far! Friends and family come to visit us and it has been great to have our grandson staying on board with us too. Oakfield has performed well and provided a lovely cosy floating home for us, cheers everyone, especially those who follow our blog!