And Away...

Narrowboat Adventures from Audlem to Chester: Locks, Markets and Canal Life

August 19, 2026

We left Adderley and made our way through the Audlem Locks – all 15 of them! Thankfully, it was a fairly smooth journey, and we eventually moored just south of Nantwich.

It was there that we came across something we hadn’t seen before: a narrowboat being pulled backwards by hand!

Naturally, we had to ask what was going on. The owners explained that the water levels ahead were so low that, rather than risk damaging their boat, they had decided to turn around and pull the boat backwards to a marina about a mile or so back down the canal.

Ummm… did we need to rethink our plans?

The following morning, we decided to do a little investigating before committing ourselves. We walked up to the next two locks at Hack Green and checked out the winding hole. To us, the water levels looked absolutely fine, but we wanted a second opinion. Luckily, we met another boater who was coming from the direction we were planning to travel.

According to them, the water levels were fine. The reservoir had recovered, and there was nothing to worry about.

Well, that was good enough for us!

Hello, Nantwich

On Saturday, August 8th, we continued on to Nantwich and found a lovely mooring just past the aqueduct. We were pleasantly surprised to find a few trading boats nearby too.

And, of course, we had to investigate!

We enjoyed a delicious pizza from Baked on Board, while Roland was treated to something a little more permanent – a beautiful handmade leather collar from Paul on The Leather Boat.

Nantwich has medieval origins and is best known for its historic salt production, which dates back to Roman times and helped the town grow in importance throughout the Middle Ages. The town was once one of the most significant centres for salt in England, with brine springs being used to produce and trade salt across the country.

Much of Nantwich’s character today comes from its impressive collection of timber-framed buildings, many of which date from the 16th and 17th centuries. These survived a major fire in 1583, which destroyed much of the town, leading to a rebuilding period that created the distinctive black-and-white architecture seen today.

Nantwich also played a role in the English Civil War, most notably during the Battle of Nantwich in 1644, when Parliamentarian forces lifted a Royalist siege of the town. This event is still commemorated locally as “Holly Holy Day.”

Nantwich is a lovely town, and we enjoyed it so much that it has now made our list of possible places to consider when we eventually start house hunting. We may only have been passing through, but sometimes you get a feeling about a place, don’t you?

Onwards to Barbridge… and a Floating Market!

After leaving Nantwich, we moved up to Barbridge, mainly because there was going to be a floating market the following weekend.

And we all know how much I love a market!

This particular market, however, turned out to be all about the treats – for Roland and me! I’m sure Roland would argue that his treats were the more important purchases, but I think we both did rather well.

Our First Experience of Wide Locks

We had another new experience to add to our narrowboating education — wide locks!

Up until now, most of the locks we had travelled through had been narrow locks, designed for just one narrowboat at a time. The wide locks were a completely different story and, if I’m honest, looked a little daunting at first!

Suddenly, there was all that extra space, along with the prospect of sharing a lock with another boat. We weren’t quite sure what to expect or how different the experience would be.

As it turned out, there was really nothing to worry about. We soon got the hang of it and found that sharing the locks with another boat worked surprisingly well. A little communication, a bit of teamwork, and before long we were wondering what we had been so worried about!

Like so many things we’ve encountered on this journey, the wide locks looked far more intimidating than they actually were. Once we’d done a few, we felt much more comfortable and were ready to continue on towards Chester.

A Different Kind of Narrowboat Life in Chester

On Tuesday, August 18th, we slowly made our way into Chester, where we are currently moored.

And what a completely different vibe it is!

Instead of quiet countryside, fields and the occasional village pub, we are right in the middle of a city, surrounded by bars, restaurants, history and the famous city walls. It certainly makes a change from our usual moorings.

We are planning to spend a few days here and are planning a walking tour of the city today, so keep an eye out for that in the next blog, in around two weeks’ time.

There may also be a new haircut involved… stay tuned!

And finally, we had rain last night!

Now, don’t get me wrong, the rain was very much needed. But I’m not entirely sure how I feel about having to jump up at midnight, in my pyjamas, to put the covers up!

Ah well… I suppose that’s all part of narrowboat life!

Rolo’s Blog 🐶🐾

Favourite snoozing spot this week: In the sun.

Number of locks conquered: 28

New friends: Too many to name!

Training achievement: Recall When he gets distracted !

Treat rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another week, another adventure, another collection of new smells, and amazing fields to run wild in!

Rolo has some new attire this week !! Let us know what you think??

As always you can view everything on our youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@nbandaway

Dont forget the Merch Store !

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
Cruising the Shropshire Union Canal: Church Eaton, Gnosall & Market Drayton by Narrowboat

August 6, 2026

After finishing our last blog, we had a lovely surprise as Sonya and Tony aboard Brightside sailed past us. They also produce the vlog Same Ship Different Day, and it was great to finally meet them in person after following each other online.

In fact, we’ve been catching up with quite a few of our “social media” boating friends recently. We also met Phil Johnson from NB Rincewind (Locking Through Life), Gwen and Lee aboard Spooky (Facebook: Fibre and Tan), and Dee from Narrowboat Patricia May (Facebook: Dee Narrowboater). It’s one of the unexpected joys of this lifestyle—turning online friendships into real ones.

After leaving Wheaton Aston, we cruised on to Church Eaton, a delightful village with a wonderful community-run pub, The Royal Oak.

When the pub was threatened with closure, 34 local villagers came together in 2016 to buy it, ensuring it remained at the heart of the community. Today, it continues to thrive as a village hub, hosting fundraising events, social gatherings, and providing a welcoming place for locals and visitors alike.

In a time when so many traditional village pubs are disappearing, it’s heartwarming to see a community say, “No… this place matters.” ❤️🍺 Of course, we felt it was our duty to do our bit by supporting them!

While in the village, we also visited the beautiful St. Editha’s Church, parts of which date back to the 12th century. The church is full of history, and the magnificent stained-glass windows—including work by renowned Victorian artist C.E. Kempe—make it well worth a visit.

Our next stop was Gnosall (pronounced Nos-all—the “G” is silent). This attractive Staffordshire village has a long history dating back to Saxon times and grew around the historic canal and its coaching routes. Today it’s a friendly place with a good selection of local shops, cafés, and plenty of charm, making it an ideal stop along the Shropshire Union Canal.

From Gnosall, we made what felt like quite a long cruise for us, eventually reaching Shebdon Aqueduct. We found a lovely rural mooring surrounded by peaceful countryside… and absolutely nothing else! Sometimes those quiet, isolated spots are exactly what you need.

Our next destination was Market Drayton. We felt it had the potential to be a really lovely market town, although parts of it seemed a little tired and in need of some attention. One place that certainly didn’t disappoint was The Red Lion, the historic home of Joule’s Brewery.

The original Red Lion dates back to 1623, and when Joule’s Brewery was revived in 2010, the new brewery was built directly behind the pub. The site sits above the same mineral-rich aquifer that made the original Joule’s beers famous over 200 years ago.

One thing that really caught my eye was the brewery’s famous Red Cross trademark. Long before it became the internationally recognised humanitarian symbol, John Joule registered it as his brewery’s trademark in 1867, making it one of the oldest registered beer trademarks in the world.

Inside the pub is the incredible Mouse Room, featuring beautiful oak panelling crafted in the style of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson, complete with carved mice hidden throughout the woodwork. It even contains the only nodding mouse ever created by Mouseman—so keep your eyes peeled if you visit! 🐭

The wonderful “monk” paintings are another highlight. They aren’t actually monks at all, but portraits of the craftsmen who built the new brewery, painted by award-winning artist Andrew Tift. They’re depicted as monks as a tribute to the Augustinian monks who brewed beer in nearby Stone centuries ago. It’s a brilliant blend of history, craftsmanship, and a touch of humour.

We love discovering places like this, where every pint comes with a story.

As I write this, we’re moored near the bottom of the Adderley Locks, tucked away in another beautiful rural spot. Adderley village is very small with no shop or even a pub ! But it does have quite possibly the best book exchange I have ever seen !!

The Wi-Fi isn’t the best here, but perhaps that’s no bad thing. Sometimes it’s nice to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with nature instead.

Rolo’s Blog 🐶🐾

Favourite snoozing spot this week: On top of the Weed Hatch 🤷🏻‍♀️

Number of locks conquered: 11

New friends: Betty ! 🐕‍🦺

Training achievement: Greeting new dogs calmly — we’re getting there!

Treat rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another week, another adventure, another collection of new smells, and amazing fields to run wild in!

Rolo has some new attire this week !! Let us know what you think?? 😂

As always you can view everything on our youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@nbandaway

Dont forget the Merch Store !

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
From Tixall Wide to the Shroppie: Stafford, Moseley Old Hall and Brewood

July 22, 2026

Our narrowboat journey continued from Tixall Wide, taking us through Stafford, Acton Trussell, Penkridge and Coven before we moved onto the Shropshire Union Canal — affectionately known by boaters as the Shroppie.

Along the way, we enjoyed time with friends, discovered fantastic markets and bakeries, visited historic buildings, took Roland on his first bus journey and found a village that might just have the exact village vibe I love.

Friends, Wine and Boating Stories at Tixall Wide

We continued our stay at Tixall Wide for a couple more days, and our friends Geoff and Pamela joined us on their boat, Merrow Song.

We spent a couple of lovely evenings sitting together on the towpath, sharing wine, boating stories and tales of our lives — including our move back to the UK from the United States.

This is one of the things we love most about life on the canals. You never quite know who you will meet, and before long, complete strangers can become good friends, sharing stories and experiences over a glass of wine beside the water.

Leaving Tixall Wide and a Very Important Message

On Friday, 10 July, it was time for us to move on.

We winded at Tixall Wide, filled up with water, emptied the rubbish and completed all the usual boating chores before heading back through the Wide.

We waved goodbye to The Grockles and continued towards Stafford, eventually mooring near Bridge 100.

It was here that we met a lovely young girl called Kasia and her dad.

Kasia had been learning at school about pollution in the sea and had created a poster to raise awareness. She wanted to share her message on the canal, so we were very happy to put it up on AndAway.

And her message is one we completely agree with:

Please — no rubbish in our canals!

The UK’s canals are such an important part of our countryside and communities, and keeping them clean is something we all need to take responsibility for.

Exploring Stafford

Over the weekend, we spent time exploring Stafford on foot.

We were really impressed with the town. There was a clear sense of civic pride, with lots of flowers, attractive public spaces, lovely parks and a farmers’ market to explore.

We enjoyed wandering around the town and discovering some of its historic streets and buildings.

While visiting Victoria Park, we also stumbled across Party in the Park. It was clearly aimed more towards children and families, but it was lovely to see the park being used and enjoyed by the local community.

It was one of those unexpected discoveries that make exploring a new town so enjoyable.

Acton Trussell and Historic St James’ Church

On Monday, we moved on to Acton Trussell.

This attractive Staffordshire village has a long history and retains much of its peaceful rural character. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is a lovely place to explore on foot.

We took a stroll around the village and visited St James’ Church, a beautiful Grade II listed building.

Parts of the church date back to the 13th century, with later additions and alterations from the 15th and 17th centuries. Like so many of the historic churches we have discovered during our travels, St James’ is full of character and provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of the local area.

From Acton Trussell, we continued cruising towards Penkridge.

Penkridge Market and a Fantastic Cake Shop

While in Penkridge, we had a chat with Ian and Cathy from NB Muddle Puddle.

They told us about a very good cake shop.

Now, anyone who knows us will understand that this information could not simply be ignored!

So, naturally, we paid a visit to Jaspers.

What a find!

Jaspers sells fantastic cakes, bread, sausage rolls and plenty more, all at incredibly good prices. It is exactly the sort of place you hope to discover when travelling around the canals.

So, if you find yourself in Penkridge, make sure you pay Jaspers a visit. You won’t regret it!

Penkridge also has a fantastic market, and I absolutely loved it.

It reminded me so much of the market in Maidstone that my mum used to take me to when I was a child. I have always loved markets, and this one brought back some lovely memories.

Naturally, I also made a few purchases.

And, as I wandered around, I couldn’t help thinking:

“No income tax, no VAT, no money back, no guarantee!” 😄

Our Visit to Moseley Old Hall

From Penkridge, we continued towards Coven and moored near The Anchor pub.

On Saturday, 18 July, we took the bus to Moseley Old Hall.

This was also a very special journey for Roland because it was his first ever bus ride.

And he was absolutely brilliant!

He took everything in his stride, made friends with the other passengers and seemed to enjoy the whole experience. Another new adventure successfully completed by our little travelling companion.

Moseley Old Hall and King Charles II

Moseley Old Hall is a beautiful timber-framed farmhouse with a fascinating connection to King Charles II.

Following the Royalist defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II was forced to flee for his life. He spent six weeks hiding from Parliamentarian forces while trying to escape the country.

Moseley Old Hall was one of the safe houses used during his escape.

Charles stayed at the Hall for a short time and was hidden in a priest hole while soldiers searched the area. The house is filled with stories of secrecy, escape and royal intrigue, making it a fascinating place to visit. We found it fascinating to think we touched the same door he did , walked on the same floors that he had 375 years earlier !

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the house and learning more about this dramatic chapter in British history.

And, of course, Roland behaved impeccably.

Cruising onto the Shropshire Union Canal

On Sunday, 19 July, we moved onto a new canal — the Shropshire Union Canal, commonly known by boaters as The Shroppie.

After stopping at Morrisons for a few essentials, we spent the night at Pendeford before continuing towards Brewood.

And what a lovely village Brewood is!

I may have found my village vibe.

Discovering Brewood

Brewood is full of character, with beautiful old cottages, historic buildings and a wonderful village atmosphere. (pronounced Brood!)

We enjoyed wandering around and exploring some of the village’s historic churches and buildings.

We started at St Mary and St Chad’s Church, parts of which date back to the 13th century. Inside are four incredible alabaster tombs belonging to the Giffard family of Chillington. The oldest dates from 1556, and the tombs include wonderfully detailed effigies of the family members — and even the children. It really is a remarkable glimpse into the lives of a powerful local family who remained Catholic through the Reformation and Civil War.

Then we visited St Mary’s Catholic Church, designed by the famous Victorian architect Augustus Welby Pugin and opened in 1844. The church has a fascinating history, including an ancient statue of the Virgin Mary which is said to have survived the destruction of Blackladies Chapel during the Civil War. The statue bears marks said to have been made by a sword and musket ball — and local tradition tells of a mysterious liquid from the wound which was believed to have healing powers.

And then there was Speedwell Castle — an unusual and distinctive historic building that adds even more character to the village. A beautiful and rather unexpected Grade I listed 18th-century house right in the heart of the village. It was supposedly built by William Rock from the winnings of his racehorse, Speedwell!

Brewood is exactly the sort of place I love discovering while travelling around the UK.

Beautiful old buildings, fascinating history and plenty of places to simply wander and explore.

And, yes, it is definitely pronounced Brood! (or Brewed seeing as there are 4 pubs in close proximity)

Our Current Mooring

And so, this is where we leave you for this section of our journey.

We are currently sitting just below Wheaton Aston, near The Hartley Arms, where we enjoyed lunch yesterday.

The food was very good, and after all the walking, exploring and cruising, it was the perfect place to stop and enjoy a meal.

For now, AndAway is moored, the countryside is looking beautiful and we are continuing our journey along the Shroppie.

Until next time…

Rolo’s Blog 🐾

Favourite snoozing spot this week: The top of the boat — obviously! 😴

Number of locks conquered: 13 🚢

New friends: Ducks 🦆 — still not entirely sure about the swans 🦢

Training achievement: Greeting new dogs calmly — we’re getting there!

Treat rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another week, another adventure, another collection of new smells, new places and new people to charm.

And, as usual, Rolo has decided that the boat belongs to him.

As always you can view everything on our youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@nbandaway

Dont forget the Merch Store !

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
Meet Roland – The Newest Crew Member of NB AndAway!

July 8, 2026

Since I last wrote, we’ve certainly been keeping ourselves busy!

Our first stop was a weekend in Stone, a bustling market town on the Trent & Mersey Canal. If I’m honest, it wasn’t quite what I expected. There were some excellent pubs, plenty of charity shops to browse (always a favourite of ours!), but beyond that we found ourselves ready to move on.

Our next mooring was above Lock 26 at Aston-by-Stone, a quiet Staffordshire village with a population of around 1,000 people. Aston dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was recorded as “Estone,” meaning eastern settlement. Today it’s a peaceful village with beautiful countryside, historic churches and a lovely rural feel—perfect for slowing the pace for a few days.

While we were there, we caught up with fellow boating YouTubers Karen and Jason from Just Two People for a drink at Aston Marina. It’s always great meeting up with friends from the boating community and putting the world to rights over a pint!

We stayed put until Friday 3rd July, when we picked up a hire car. A quick shout-out to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, who collected us directly from the canal. For those of us living aboard without a car, that’s an absolute game changer and made everything so easy.

The reason for the hire car? A very exciting trip to Milton Keynes…

Meet Roland!

We travelled to meet the wonderful volunteers at Dachshund Rescue UK, and that’s where we met the newest member of Team AndAway.

Introducing Roland—aka- Rolo!

Rolo is a 15-month-old purebred smooth-haired Miniature Dachshund rescue, and somehow it already feels like he’s always been part of the family. From the moment he stepped aboard, he settled in incredibly quickly and has taken over the boat as if he owns it… which, to be fair, he probably thinks he does!

His very first cruise came on Sunday as we travelled around two hours to the pretty village of Salt, passing through a couple of locks along the way. At first he wasn’t quite sure what to make of everything. The movement of the boat, the lock gates, the passing boats—it was all very new. But before long he relaxed, found a comfy spot on the roof and seemed quite content watching the world drift by.

The following day we cruised for another couple of hours, tackled another two locks, and by then Rolo was already becoming a seasoned boater. It’s been amazing to watch just how quickly he’s adapted to life afloat. He already seems completely at home.

We are now moored at the beautiful Tixall Wide, having joined a brand-new canal for us—the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Opened in 1772 and engineered by James Brindley, the canal stretches for around 46 miles between Great Haywood and Stourport-on-Severn. It’s regarded as one of England’s most scenic waterways, with peaceful countryside, historic bridges and charming villages lining much of its route.

One of our first outings with Rolo was to the magnificent Shugborough Estate, our first National Trust visit with him.

Shugborough Hall was originally built in the late 17th century and later became the ancestral home of the Anson family. The estate is perhaps best known through Admiral George Anson, who circumnavigated the globe in the 1740s and brought great wealth back to the family. Over the years, the estate has welcomed many notable visitors, including members of the Royal Family, and royal photographer Patrick Lichfield, the 5th earl. Today visitors can explore the impressive Georgian mansion, beautiful gardens and extensive parkland.

Rolo was an absolute star throughout the visit. Like many rescue dogs, he has a few things to work on, particularly being reactive towards other dogs, so we’ve already started some training with him. Even so, he continues to surprise us every day with how quickly he’s learning and gaining confidence.

After exploring Shugborough, we wandered into the lovely village of Great Haywood. What a delightful place! It has everything we’re looking for in a village—beautiful surroundings, canal connections, friendly pubs and plenty of countryside. Let’s just say it may have earned itself a place on our shortlist for future house hunting…

For now though, we’re staying put. Another heatwave is on the way, so Tixall Wide offers plenty of welcome shade for both us and Rolo. We’ll be taking life a little slower over the next few days with lots of gentle walks, plenty of cuddles, and helping our newest crew member continue settling into his new floating home.

Life aboard certainly feels a little different now… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

As always you can view everything on our youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@nbandaway

Dont forget the Merch Store !

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
Catching Up With AndAway – Harecastle to Wedgwood(and a possible new crew member?)

June 24, 2026

First of all, apologies! It seems my last blog about our journey through the Harecastle Tunnel has mysteriously disappeared into the depths of the internet, so I’ll do my best to catch everyone up.

We successfully made it through the Harecastle Tunnel in 39 minutes, and honestly, it was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined. The Canal & River Trust staff were on hand to help, carry out a brief safety check, and make sure our tunnel lights and horn were working before we headed in.

Thankfully, there were no bumps or scrapes to report!

The tunnel itself was certainly an eerie experience. At 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long, it is the second-longest canal tunnel on the network. The current tunnel was opened in 1827 and designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford after the original tunnel, built by James Brindley in 1777, became too unstable and narrow for increasing canal traffic. Today, boaters can still see the blocked entrances to Brindley’s original tunnel alongside Telford’s impressive engineering achievement.

After emerging into daylight, we continued down the Trent & Mersey Canal and found a mooring at Westport Lake. What a lovely spot—although there seemed to be almost as many Canada geese as there were people, and the amount of goose poop was something else entirely!

On Saturday 30th May, we wandered down the towpath past the old potteries to the Etruria Canal Festival. It may be a relatively small festival, but it packed in historic boats, live music, food, beer, and plenty of canal enthusiasts. We also got the chance to catch up with our friend Aaron aboard fuel boat Halsall.

The following day, we visited Middleport Pottery, which we had passed a few times from the towpath. Middleport Pottery was established in 1888 by Burgess & Leigh and remains one of the few working Victorian potteries left in the UK. It is still producing world-famous Burleigh pottery today, using many traditional manufacturing techniques that have largely disappeared elsewhere.

On Tuesday 2nd June, we left the Trent & Mersey and headed onto new waters—the Caldon Canal.

The first section of the canal didn’t give us the best first impression, and several boaters advised us not to moor until after Bridge 18. They were absolutely right. Beyond Bridge 18 the scenery changed dramatically, opening into beautiful countryside once again.

After a couple of restful nights, we climbed the seven locks leading to the Leek Branch. This section was lined with permanently moored boats and proved surprisingly shallow in places. We had hoped to reach the very end of the branch but were stopped about half a mile short by a sign advising boats over 45 feet to wind there.

So wind we did!

After turning around, we headed back through Leek Tunnel and moored just beyond it. We also managed to get a grocery shop done—over the hills and far away, it seemed!

A few days later, we cruised back down the Leek Branch and made the sharp turn onto the Froghall Branch. Once again, the canal was extremely shallow, and we found ourselves grounded several times before eventually reaching Consall.

At Consall, the canal briefly joins the River Churnet—our first time cruising on a river. Fortunately, it was a very gentle introduction.

We moored opposite the Churnet Valley Railway, one of Britain’s best-preserved heritage railways. The line originally opened in 1849 and now operates beautifully restored steam and diesel trains through the scenic Staffordshire countryside. Watching the steam trains pass from the boat was a real treat.

An added bonus was having a cosy pub just a short walk away.

The next day, we walked to the end of the canal at Froghall Basin. To reach the basin by boat requires passing through Froghall Tunnel, one of the lowest tunnels on the canal network. Only a limited number of narrowboats can fit through, and unfortunately AndAway isn’t one of them.

The walk, however, was well worth it.

Froghall Basin was once a busy industrial wharf where limestone, coal, and ironstone were transferred between boats and local industries. Today it is a peaceful destination surrounded by woodland and walking trails. We enjoyed a visit to the lovely tea room, where I purchased a picture of the MadHatter’s Tea Party by a local artist.

Why the MadHatter?

Because the house I grew up in, in East Sussex, was called “Madhatters,” so it seemed fitting.

Before leaving Consall, we had one final novelty—travelling underneath the platform of Consall Station itself. Not many railway stations can claim that boats pass directly beneath them!

We then wound the boat and headed back up the Froghall Branch to the main canal, eventually mooring at the foot of Lock 4, a wonderfully peaceful spot.

On Monday 15th June, we cruised back to Etruria as it is conveniently close to Stoke-on-Trent railway station. From there, I headed down to Devon to spend a few days with Mum, leaving Chris behind with a substantial “honey-do” list for the boat.

Once reunited, we continued south along the Trent & Mersey Canal, working through five locks before finding a lovely mooring below Bridge 104.

On arrival, we were greeted by several cows standing in the canal—and one rather impressive bull!

Nearby is the Wedgwood Factory and V&A Wedgwood Collection, which we visited during our stay. We found it fascinating and learned a great deal about Josiah Wedgwood.

Josiah Wedgwood was not only one of Britain’s greatest potters and industrial innovators but also a passionate campaigner against slavery. In 1787, he produced the famous medallion featuring an enslaved man with the words “Am I Not a Man and a Brother?” The image became one of the most powerful symbols of the abolition movement and helped raise awareness of the campaign to end the transatlantic slave trade.

The weather has turned exceptionally hot recently, and we are now spending much of our time finding inventive ways to cool the boat down. One solution involves a portable shower, a bucket of canal water, and spraying the roof to reduce the temperature.

As I type this, it’s currently 32°C (90°F), which is just a little warm inside what is essentially a floating steel tube!

But in other news…

We may have an announcement about a new crew member very soon.

Stay tuned!

As always you can also catch up on our YouTube channel- available July 1st.

Dont forget the Merch Store !

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
We Made It Through Harecastle… But That Was Just the Beginning!

June 10, 2026

Well, we made it through Harecastle Tunnel with only a slight bump on the way in!

At 1.6 miles long and only wide enough for one boat, Harecastle Tunnel had been playing on my mind for days. We had booked our passage for 2:00 pm and arrived at 1:50 pm to allow the Canal & River Trust team time to carry out their safety checks, including inspecting our tunnel lights and making sure our horn was working correctly.

Once given the all-clear, we entered the darkness. Thirty-nine minutes later we emerged back into the sunshine, and it really wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I had let my imagination convince me it would be.

From Harecastle we cruised down to Westport Lake and settled in for a few days. Located on the northern edge of Stoke-on-Trent, Westport Lake is the largest expanse of water in the city and a designated nature reserve. Surrounded by woodland and walking trails, it provides a peaceful escape from the urban surroundings and proved to be a lovely place to stop and relax. Apart from the goose poop !! Oh My ! So much goose poop !!

On Saturday, May 30th, we walked along the towpath to Etruria to visit the annual canal festival. The event featured historic narrowboats, live music, food stalls, local crafts, and, of course, plenty of beer. We also got to catch up with Aaron and see our favourite fuel boat, Halsall.

The following day we visited Middleport Pottery, which we had passed on our way to the festival. Founded in 1888 by Burgess & Leigh, Middleport Pottery is one of the UK’s last working Victorian potteries. The site remains in active production today and offers a fascinating glimpse into Stoke-on-Trent’s rich pottery heritage. After exploring the pottery, we rounded off the day with a Sunday roast at a nearby Toby Carvery. It wasn’t my favourite roast dinner, but it was convenient and close by!

After four days at Westport Lake, we left and headed onto the Caldon Canal.

Our first overnight stop was at Milton, where we moored up much to the apparent disgust of a homeowner whose property overlooks the canal. It did leave me wondering why you would buy a house next to a canal if you don’t like boats! Fortunately, the excellent fish and chips we enjoyed that evening more than made up for the frosty reception.

The next day we said goodbye to our friendly neighbour and continued further along the canal.

On Friday, June 5th, we travelled up the Leek Branch, passing through Leek Tunnel in the hope of reaching the terminus. Unfortunately, AndAway proved to be just a little too long, and we were unable to reach the very end. After winding the boat, we headed back through the tunnel and found a beautiful mooring where we stayed for a few days and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings.

Sunday saw us leave the Leek Branch and make the very tight turn onto the Froghall Branch.

The Froghall Branch is one of the most scenic sections of the Caldon Canal, winding through the stunning Churnet Valley. However, it is also one of the narrowest and shallowest waterways we have encountered so far. We quickly discovered this for ourselves, getting firmly grounded on at least two occasions and having to pole ourselves free before continuing.

Eventually, we reached Consall, located on a section where the canal shares its route with the River Churnet. This was our first experience mooring on a river, and what a location it was. We secured a spot directly opposite the tracks of the Churnet Valley Railway.

The Churnet Valley Railway is a heritage steam railway that operates along part of the former North Staffordshire Railway route. Running through the beautiful Churnet Valley, it offers visitors the chance to travel behind lovingly restored steam and diesel locomotives while enjoying spectacular countryside views. Watching the trains pass from our mooring was a real treat.

From Consall, we walked to the end of the Froghall Branch because, once again, AndAway’s dimensions prevented us from reaching the actual terminus. Froghall Tunnel, built in 1811, is famous for its exceptionally low headroom, and sadly we were simply too tall to fit through safely.

After three wonderful days at Consall, we winded the boat and began the journey back up the branch before rejoining the main Caldon Canal. We are currently moored at a lovely spot near the bottom of Lock 4, where we’ll spend a little time before slowly making our way back towards Stoke-on-Trent.

Next week I’ll be leaving AndAway for a few days to catch the train down to Devon and spend some time visiting my mum.

While both the Leek and Froghall Branches are undeniably beautiful and interesting, they haven’t quite become my favourites. Their shallow and narrow nature can make boating challenging and, at times, rather stressful. That said, the stunning countryside, peaceful moorings, and unique character of the waterways have certainly made them memorable parts of our journey.

As always you can also view all our adventures on our You Tube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@nbandaway

And the merch store!

https://andaway.teemill.com
Bosley Locks Drama, Heatwaves & Scarecastle Ahead!

May 27, 2026

Wednesday May 13th our friends Helen and Jane arrived in their van, fortunately there is a campground right next to the canal in Poynton and we enjoyed a lovely few days together, including a trip to Lyme Park and Lyme Hall.

On Monday 18th May, we said goodbye to Poynton, filled up with water, winded the boat, and moved down to Lyme Green so we could do a big grocery shop before continuing our journey.

Just before setting off, we heard the news that Bosley Locks on the Macclesfield Canal had been closed following a boating incident. A boat had damaged the cill on Lock 12… and of course, that was exactly where we were headed!

So, we had no choice but to wait for updates while CRT engineers assessed the damage. Eventually, CRT announced they would reopen the locks for one day only, operating assisted passages with advance bookings. We immediately called and managed to secure one of the final two available slots.

After booking our passage, we decided to walk the two miles to Bosley Locks to check out the mooring situation for ourselves. Thankfully, there were still plenty of spaces available, so on Wednesday we cruised up and moored near Bridge 82 on the Macclesfield Canal, ready for our Thursday passage.

We were booked in for 12pm… but honestly, the whole day turned into chaos!

The booking system had clearly broken down. Boats without bookings were arriving and jumping the queue, while several boats — including us — had somehow been given the exact same booking time, despite the locks only being able to accommodate one boat at a time.

That said, the boating community really pulled together. Everyone helped each other, shared updates, and somehow, slowly but surely, we all edged our way closer to the locks.

Finally, at 2:15pm, we entered the flight and were assisted down by the CRT volunteer lock keepers, who were absolutely fantastic all day long. We eventually moored up at the bottom around 6pm after a very long and exhausting day. Unfortunately, as I was helping the lock keepers and other boaters through the locks, I didn’t get any photos — but you can watch the footage Chris captured in our vlog once it’s uploaded.

After a good night’s sleep, we were up early the next morning to help the volunteer lockies get the remaining boats through, as not everyone had made it down the previous day. At midday, CRT officially locked the gates at both ends of the flight while engineers prepared to begin repairs the following week.

The moorings at the bottom of Bosley Locks were absolutely beautiful, with stunning countryside views. While many of the boats we’d travelled down with continued on their journeys, we decided to stay put for a few extra days. It was incredibly peaceful — at one point we were the only boat there!

On the Bank Holiday Monday, we met Dan and his son, who were walking 110 miles carrying 40kg to raise money for Cancer Research UK, travelling from Bridge 82 to Manchester. If you’d like to support them, you can visit them here https://82-mcr.co.uk/ , and you can also watch our chat with them here.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18r1bHnRH9

It was an incredibly hot day, with temperatures climbing above 33°C (91°F)!

Tuesday was another scorcher, but at around 8am we heard a boat passing by from the direction of the closed locks. Surely it had to be a CRT work boat? Work on the locks hadn’t even started yet.

But no… it was a residential narrowboat.

I immediately noted the boat’s name because something didn’t seem right. To have reached the bottom of the locks by 8am, they would have needed to start from the top somewhere around 4:30–5am — long before CRT staff or volunteers were on site.

After a cup of tea, we walked up to investigate. Sure enough, all the bottom lock gates had been left open and the padlocks had disappeared!

Fortunately, volunteer lock keeper Jeff had just arrived, so I explained what had happened. He immediately phoned CRT to report the boat — thankfully I’d remembered the boat’s name — and he suspected the boater had cut the padlocks with bolt cutters to force their way through.

Honestly… some people.

One boater deciding the rules don’t apply to them and potentially risking even more damage to an already vulnerable lock flight. CRT already struggles for resources, and the volunteers work incredibly hard to keep the canals running. Sadly though, I doubt much will come of it.

Anyway, we decided it was time to move on.

We filled up with water, grabbed a few supplies in Congleton, and carried on cruising. But after just two hours, the heat became too much, so we found a shady spot and moored up for the night.

Thankfully, the boat has stayed at a fairly comfortable temperature so far, especially with the fly screens on the windows helping keep the air flowing.

Next stop: the famous Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent & Mersey Canal — the second longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK.

At 1.6 miles (2.6km) long and built in 1827, it’s famously nicknamed “Scarecastle Tunnel” thanks to stories of it being haunted by Kit Crewbucket, who was supposedly murdered inside the tunnel…

So, we’ll see you on the other side… hopefully!

As always, you can watch all the action unfold in the vlog — Available June 17th.

And the merch store!

https://andaway.teemill.com

If you would like to support us , you can now buy us a gallon of diesel or a glass of wine !!!
Manchester, Music & May Showers

May 13, 2026

May 1st brought a temporary change of transport for us as we swapped narrowboats for trains and headed into Manchester for a lovely day out exploring the city. Our first stop was the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, which dates back over 600 years and has stood through everything from medieval times to wartime bombing during World War II. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city outside, it still feels wonderfully peaceful inside and was fascinating to wander around.

From there we visited Chetham’s Library, founded in 1653 and proudly holding the title of the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world. The building itself is incredible, full of dark wood, ancient books and centuries of history. Fun fact — both Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels studied there whilst developing many of their political ideas.

Next on the list was the Science and Industry Museum, which was packed with fascinating exhibits celebrating Manchester’s huge role in industry, science and innovation. We rounded the day off with lunch at The Wharf overlooking narrowboats — naturally! Some habits are hard to break.

After a few quieter days, we slowly cruised our way back to Poynton, where we are eagerly awaiting Helen and Jane’s arrival later in May.

May 7th saw me turn 61! After a lovely walk, the original birthday plan was to enjoy a Chinese takeaway — one of my absolute favourites and something we have not had since returning to the UK. Unfortunately, that did not quite go to plan, so instead we ended up at The Boars Head where we enjoyed a lovely meal and joined in with the pub quiz. Let’s just say we will not be appearing on any quiz shows anytime soon, but we did meet some wonderful locals along the way!

We somehow found ourselves back at the pub on Friday evening for live music from Northern Lights Acoustic Duo, a very talented duo playing all the classics. We also happened to meet Becky Holt — known as Britain’s most tattooed woman — who turns out to be a local!

Over the weekend, in honour of American Mother’s Day, the children asked Chris to take me to a local garden centre to choose some plants for the roof of the boat. We planted up three tubs: two filled with colourful flowers including poppies, pinks, sedum and gaillardia, and one dedicated to herbs. I am very much looking forward to having a little burst of colour and greenery on the roof throughout the summer.

The last couple of days have been much quieter thanks to some rather relentless rain, so I have decided to learn how to knit! Quite what I am actually creating remains to be seen, but it is certainly keeping me occupied and mostly out of mischief.

So now we hunker down and await Helen and Jane’s arrival — currently in torrential rain — and keep our fingers crossed that the weather improves for their visit!

And as always, don’t forget to check out the vlog, available June 3rd — plenty more views, mishaps, and adventures to come!

And the merch store!

https://andaway.teemill.com
We Took On 16 Locks… Then This Happened at 3:30am 😳

April 29, 2026

Peak Forest Wanders, Market Days & Lock Flights

On April 16th we waved goodbye to Bugsworth Basin and pulled up right next to Tesco for a proper big shop. It’s not often the canal life aligns so perfectly with supermarket logistics—so we made the most of it.

From there we cruised on to New Mills, moored up for the night, and headed out to stretch our legs along the Millennium Walkway. Clinging dramatically to the side of the gorge, this modern walkway gives you a proper front-row seat to the River Goyt below—equal parts impressive and slightly nerve-wracking if you don’t love heights! We also had a wander around Torr Vale Mill, a huge historic cotton mill that once powered the town’s industry. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and imagine just how busy and noisy it must’ve been in its heyday.

The next day we pushed on to Marple… and what a spot. We managed to nab a perfect mooring right in the centre—always a bit of a win—and quickly fell for the place. It’s got that proper small-town feel, pretty views, and the iconic flight of locks running through it. Safe to say, Marple has firmly made it onto the “future house buying” list.

Saturday the 18th brought even more charm, with Marple’s monthly market (every third Saturday, if you’re timing your visit right). You know we love a good market, and this one didn’t disappoint—local stalls, a nice buzz, and yet another tick in the “why we love it here” column. We also walked the full length of the Marple Lock Flight to scope out what lay ahead… always slightly intimidating when you realise what you’ve signed up for.

We carried on down to Marple Bridge, a lovely little village at the foot of the locks, before—quite rightly—ending up back at Ring O’ Bells for a well-earned pint. That evening’s menu? Fish and chips, plus our first encounter with a “Rag Pud”—basically a flat steak suet pie. Not the prettiest dish in the world, but surprisingly tasty!

Sunday was a practical day—we winded the boat and got everything ready for the locks. Then Monday morning (yes, early by our standards) we tackled all 16. Four hours later, job done, and we were moored just before Hyde Tunnel feeling rather pleased with ourselves.

Heading further along the Peak Forest Canal, we reached Hyde… and, if we’re honest, it didn’t quite live up to the Upper Peak Forest stretch. You can tell it was once a thriving place, but it’s a bit rough around the edges these days. Still, it wasn’t a wasted stop—we got a few chores ticked off and enjoyed a walk along part of the Trans Pennine Trail, which was a lovely surprise. This long-distance route stretches coast-to-coast and follows old railway lines, canals, and countryside paths—peaceful, green, and a nice escape from the town itself.

By Friday 24th we cruised up to Portland Basin, the end of the canal… but decided fairly quickly it wasn’t for us. So, we winded again and headed back, hoping to grab a familiar mooring—no such luck. We ended up pushing on a couple more miles before settling in. All was calm… until 3:30am when we were woken by very enthusiastic late-night partygoers. Thankfully, they drifted off as quickly as they arrived!

Soon after, we found a much nicer mooring at the foot of the Marple locks—fields of lambs, geese sitting on nests, and proper countryside vibes. From here we wandered back into Marple to collect a very exciting delivery from the Post Office—our new merch! Safe to say we’re really pleased with it: good quality, sustainable, and very “us.” (Link below, of course 👀). And yes… somehow we ended up back at the Ring O’ Bells again. It would’ve been rude not to.

Monday 27th, and it was time to head back up the locks—again, bright and early. This time we had some brilliant help from volunteer Gina and a passerby, Mark, which made a huge difference. Still took us about four hours, but with the amount of traffic on the flight, we reckon it could easily have stretched to six without them.

At the top we sorted water, bins, all the usual bits… but sadly our dream mooring in the centre was full. So on we went, another hour or so cruising (and wrestling with some very shallow edges), before settling near High Lane. It’s quieter out here, with plenty of walks, and only about a two-mile stroll back into Marple—so not a bad compromise at all.

We’ll stay here a few days before heading back towards Poynton, where Helen and Jane are rejoining us in their van. Which can only mean one thing… towpath drinks, campfire meals, and a few good laughs ahead 🍻🔥

https://andaway.teemill.com/

And as always, don’t forget to check out the latest vlog to follow the journey — plenty more views, mishaps, and adventures to come! 🚤
Sunshine, Steaks & Soaked Walks: From Tennessee to the Peak Forest.

April 15, 2026

I spent a wonderful 8 days with Bex and Stephen over in Tennessee — and the weather was glorious, not at all what I was expecting! We packed so much in: long walks, helping out in the garden, meals out, and just genuinely relaxing with them, their family, and friends. It was one of those trips that does your soul good.

The flights were long, but Virgin Atlantic were spot on as always — I do try to fly with them whenever I can.

The best part was seeing Bex and Stephen so happy and healthy. I came back to AndAway with a very full and happy heart.

And Chris certainly hadn’t been taking it easy while I was away… he’d been cracking on with the “honey-do” list and surprised me by wallpapering the boat — and I absolutely love it! You’ll have to let me know what you think.

After about 24 hours of finding my feet again, we headed out for a walk to Lyme Park. It’s about a 45-minute walk across fields, passing spring lambs and even a few Highland cattle — a pretty perfect route.

With roots dating back to the 1300s, the estate was home to the Legh family for over 600 years before being handed over to the National Trust. The house you see today began as a Tudor property and was later transformed in the 18th century into the elegant Italianate style, all set within a vast deer park designed by Lancelot Capability Brown.

It’s also instantly recognisable as Mr Darcy’s home, Pemberley, from Pride and Prejudice — yes, that famous lake scene!

All was perfect… right up until the British weather did its thing 🌧️ and absolutely soaked us on the way home 😂

On April 11th, we left the Macclesfield Canal and made our way onto the Peak Forest Canal, mooring up in Disley for a couple of nights. The views along the Peak Forest are absolutely stunning — the kind that really make you stop and think… could this be a place for a future move?

From there, we cruised down to Bugsworth Basin… and wow, what a place. An incredible mooring spot packed with history. Once one of the busiest inland ports in England, the basin was a key hub in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, linking the canal network with the nearby limestone quarries. At its peak, it was a hive of industrial activity, with boats constantly loading and unloading stone destined for construction projects across the country. After years of decline and eventual closure, it was restored in the 20th century and is now one of the best-preserved canal basins in the UK — and you can really feel that history as you wander around.

With the weather looking promising, we decided to break out the new BBQ… which turned into a bit of a comedy moment. Total fail on the first attempt — turns out we had the wrong charcoal! Add in a sudden change in weather and it wasn’t exactly the idyllic evening we’d imagined 😂

But… not to be defeated, we tried again the following night. New charcoal, better conditions — and this time, success! A couple of very nice steaks and a much more relaxed evening made it all worthwhile.

From here, the plan is to head off tomorrow towards Marple and tackle the Marple Locks — all 14 of them. That’s going to be a long day, I think! After that, we’ll continue along the northern section of the Peak Forest Canal for another week or so, hopefully finding more of those stunning views and perfect mooring spots along the way.

If you’d like to support us and what we’re doing, we’ve now got some AndAway merch available! There’s a QR code below if you fancy having a browse — every bit of support really does mean the world to us.

https://andaway.teemill.com/

And as always, don’t forget to check out the latest vlog to follow the journey — plenty more views, mishaps, and adventures to come! 🚤