And Away…
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Welcome to our blog, where we, Chris and Sam, share our exciting journey as expats returning to the UK from Knoxville, TN, to embrace a new chapter of our lives on the waterways! After years of adventure in the States, we’ve decided to trade our conventional routine for the serenity of narrowboat living. Our passion for travel, nature, and the charming canals of the UK inspires us to embark on this unique retirement lifestyle. Join us as we explore picturesque villages, uncover hidden gems, and navigate the challenges and joys of living on water. We’ll share tips, stories, and a few laughs along the way, inviting you to experience the beauty of life afloat with us!
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The last time I wrote to you all, we were hopeful. The plan was simple enough: move on, find water, empty the bins, and continue north. Alas… winter had other ideas. We were iced in for another four long days. Needs must, so we wrapped up and made a trek to the local Co‑op to…
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Christmas Day this year was extra special for us. Not only was it our first Christmas aboard narrowboat AndAway, it also marked our first ever cruise on the canals. Talk about jumping in at the deep end – or should that be the shallow end of the Trent & Mersey! We set off on Christmas…
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The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel, family time, and settling into our new floating life. From long-awaited reunions and seaside stays to ticking off boat jobs and preparing for a very different kind of Christmas, it’s been a season of change, gratitude, and a fair bit of adventure. Here’s a little…
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The last fortnight has been a bit of a blur — equal parts soggy, sparkly, musical, and mildly chaotic — so, you know… standard AndAway life. First up: solar!We finally had our panels fitted, and honestly, Matt and Gary from OnboardSolar.co.uk deserve medals… or at the very least a dry pair of socks. They worked…
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Living Aboard Our Narrowboat | AndAway.uk It’s been just over two weeks onboard now, and things are finally starting to feel a lot more settled. We’ve gone from chaos to something that resembles a home… albeit a floating one with endless to-do lists and patchy WiFi. Speaking of WiFi — yes, we’ve finally had it…
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After a whirlwind of packing, planning, and farewells, the day finally came to say goodbye to Knoxville. Our last few evenings were spent just as they should be — sharing wonderful dinners with family and friends, filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of lingering hugs that say what words can’t. We travelled up to…
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With our goodbyes and gatherings behind us, this past week has been all about one final task — clearing out the rental. What began as a quick tidy-up somehow turned into another full weekend of sorting, lifting, and decision-making. We decided to hold a garage sale for two days, hoping to lighten the load and…
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After months of sorting through three houses, endless decisions, and countless boxes, September felt like a gentle pause — a time to breathe, reconnect, and truly appreciate the people and places that have shaped our lives here. Our first stop was Chattanooga, where we spent a lovely weekend with my son Stephen and his wife…
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As we count down the weeks—just four weeks!—until we set sail on the Queen Mary 2 for our retirement adventure back to the UK, we’ve been juggling more than suitcases and paperwork. Between three houses here in Knoxville, it has felt like one long game of real estate Tetris. Each house has its own story,…
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We packed up everything that was dear and sentimental to us into just two trunks—well, not the kind you’re picturing. Ours measured 3′ x 2′ x 2′ each and weighed about 75kg apiece. Two neat little trunks carrying our most precious belongings, the things we couldn’t imagine leaving behind. With a deep breath and a…
And Away... 