And Away…
New Adventures
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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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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…
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We’re back in Knoxville, TN after a whirlwind four weeks back in blighty, and what a trip it was! The time absolutely flew by, and the last 12 days were made extra special when Jack, Nicole, and baby Lilah joined us. It was such a joy to show them around and make some new family…
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Since we landed back in the UK, things haven’t slowed down one bit. This past week took us all the way up to Manchester, where we added more miles — and more boats — to our search list. We’ve now looked at five boats in total. The big question… have we found our boat? Well,…
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Well, the Estate Sale has come and gone — and it went really well! Huge thanks to Tina McMillan at Declutter and Clear Estate Solutions for keeping everything organized and running smoothly. The house in Knoxville is now feeling very empty — echoes, dust bunnies, and all. A special shout-out to our wonderful friends Arnold…
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After many months of planning and dreaming, it’s finally happening — Chris and I are packing up our life here in Knoxville, TN, and preparing for our next big adventure. It’s a bittersweet process, filled with memories, elbow grease, and yes… more bubble wrap than we ever thought possible. We’ve carefully packed up two trunks…
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Welcome to And Away… This blog continues our adventures from our previous blog 48beforeitstoolate where we travelled by RV through the lower 48 states. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since I first arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee — and even harder to believe how quickly those years have flown by! Chris joined me…
And Away... 