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!

Follow us on You Tube

https://youtube.com/@nb-and-away?si=tE6WQghW5-j9Pzup

  • Catch Up before We Cast Off

    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 Maria. It had been far too long since we’d had unhurried time together. We shared dinners, laughter, and stories over good food, discovered a cozy bar and restaurant tucked inside the old Chattanooga Choo Choo, and wandered through a bustling weekend market. The air was full of that early autumn promise — still warm, but with the faintest whisper of change.

    Next, we made our way to Rockwood, TN, to spend time with Bex and Laura at the lakeside cabin my ex and I built all those years ago with the kids. Stepping onto that familiar deck brought a flood of memories — evenings by the fire, the smell of sawdust when the walls first went up. We spent a peaceful day by the water, just being together, and later Laura cooked a delicious dinner that somehow made the day feel complete. It was one of those rare, perfect moments where past and present sit quietly side by side.

    Between family visits, we’ve been soaking up every chance to see friends — to laugh, reminisce, and simply be with the people who have filled our lives here in Tennessee. One evening we joined Amy, Kevin and David at The Mill & Mine for a Fleetwood Mac cover band, singing along to all the songs that seem to have followed us through the years. Music, it seems, has a way of stitching time together.

    This coming weekend, our dear friends Arnold and Janet are hosting an “And Away” farewell party for us — a last gathering before we set sail on our next chapter. It’s bittersweet, knowing how many goodbyes lie ahead, but also comforting to be surrounded by such love and support.

    In just two weeks, we’ll leave for New York, where we’ll board the Queen Mary 2 to begin this new adventure — a voyage not just across the ocean, but into the next phase of our lives.

    Today, we had a video call with the boatyard, watching as work continues on “And Away,” our narrowboat. The last few repairs are nearly done, and after a long wait for the paperwork to be finalized, she’s finally — and fully — ours. Seeing her take shape, knowing she’s waiting for us across the sea, feels like the closing of one story and the quiet beginning of another.

    The days are moving quickly now, each one layered with excitement, nostalgia, and gratitude. It’s strange — how the heart can hold such sadness and joy all at once. But perhaps that’s what this moment is meant to be: a beautiful mix of endings and beginnings, tied together by the people and memories we love most.

    Dont forget to follow us on our YouTube Channel

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

    Also this blog will be transitioning over to posts within our YouTube Channel.

    join us there!

  • Sorting 3 houses in Knoxville before the Move!

    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, and together they’ve shaped this season of transition for us.

    House One: 801 – The South Knox Rental

    Our first project was 801, a rental property in South Knoxville. We rolled up our sleeves in May, gave it a good clean-up, and placed it on the market. To our delight, it went under contract within just two weeks and closed in 30 days. The proceeds from that sale have gone straight toward our dream purchase—our boat (which is still a work in progress, you would think the seller would be keen to get his money, but apparently not!).

    House Two: 7101 – Our Longtime Home

    Next came 7101, our home filled with memories. After the estate sale in July, we headed off for a month in the UK, and once back, we placed it on the market at the beginning of September. We’d hoped for another quick sale, but here we are—26 days later, with very few showings. It hasn’t been the fast turnaround we imagined, and with our departure just around the corner, we’re still holding out hope for a contract soon. If not, we may explore long-term rental options to keep the house occupied.

    House Three: 617 – Our Current Nest

    Finally, there’s 617, our second rental and current living space. We’ve decided to rent this one out long-term, unfurnished. That means, of course, we’ve been gradually selling off the contents while still living here. Seating is a little sparse these days, but at least we’ve kept a bed! The good news is we already have several showings booked for this weekend, and my daughter-in-law, who is a property manager, will take over managing the rental once we’re gone.

    A Weekend Pause

    In the midst of all this house-sorting, we’re taking a little breather. This weekend, we’ll be house- and pet-sitting for friends here in Knoxville. Their home comes with an incredible view of the Smokies, plus the company of a cat, a dog, and even a rare bird. A change of scenery might be just what we need before diving back into showings, packing, and final goodbyes.

    Looking Ahead

    It’s hard to believe in just a few weeks we’ll be boarding the Queen Mary 2 and heading off on our next chapter. For now, though, it’s one day—and one house—at a time.

    Don’t forget to follow our YouTube channel for more content and laughs as we negotiate this journey!

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

  • We Packed Our Life into Two Boxes

    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 mix of nerves and relief, we waved them off, bound for the UK. The shipping company, all smiles and efficiency, assured us they’d arrive at their destination—our dear friends in Hastings—within 5 days.

    Yeah, right.

    Except, to our surprise, the trunks actually arrived in the UK within two days! That’s when the fun really started.

    We told our friend Helen that she should expect an email or phone call with a delivery estimate. But nothing came. No email. No call. Finally, she phoned the shipping company herself, only to be told that UK Customs had rejected them.

    Before the trunks even left Knoxville, I had filled in the “Transfer of Residence” form with UK customs and had it approved. So why the rejection? Helen called customs and got the same story. I then rang both customs and the shipping company, and that’s when the ridiculous truth came out: the shipping company had forgotten to check (tick) a box saying that an adult would sign for the delivery—because one trunk contained… three kitchen knives!

    The young woman I spoke to at the shipping company was very sympathetic, agreed it was absurd, but insisted there was nothing she could do. Helen even offered to drive to the airport and tick the box herself, but no—it had to be done at the origin. Which meant our precious trunks were now scheduled to be put on a flight back to Knoxville that very night.

    The next morning, we braced ourselves for confirmation that they were indeed coming back across the Atlantic. But nothing came through. Hours later, instead of bad news, we received a notification saying the trunks were out for delivery to their final destination! Somewhere, somehow, someone saw sense and released them. Fantastic! Trunks delivered, all was good.

    Or so we thought.

    Two days later, I received an email from the shipping company saying I owed them another $50 for “extra weight.” When I asked for the actual weights, they told me 57kg and 35kg. Strange, considering they’d both weighed 75kg each when we packed them. Immediately, my stomach dropped—had customs opened them? Had belongings gone missing? Maybe even our treasured vinyl albums?

    After a lot of back-and-forth, I pointed out that if their numbers were correct, then they actually owed me money since I’d paid for two 75kg trunks. Funny how quickly they dropped the charge after that.

    Still, the anxiety lingered. Were the trunks tampered with? Had anything been taken? Weeks later, when we finally arrived in Hastings, we went straight to see Helen and check. To our immense relief, the trunks were untouched. Not even opened. Everything was intact.

    So, what was all that about? Who knows. But I can tell you this: I’ve never been more relieved to see two dusty old trunks in my life.

    Don’t forget to follow our YouTube channel for the journey of our new life.

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

  • Back in Knoxville… with Big News!

    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 memories together.

    Of course, no trip would be complete without plenty of 15th-century pubs — and yes, we visited more than a few (purely for cultural research, of course 😉). We also had some amazing days out, including exploring the Seven Sisters National Park with its breathtaking chalk cliffs, plus soaking up the sun and sea air along the beach and seafront in St Leonards-on-Sea.

    One real highlight for me personally was getting to meet one of my YouTube heroes — Ula from the channel Ula Blocksage (@ulablocksage, previously known as Ula and Josh). Ula and Josh were a huge source of inspiration for us to pursue this adventure, so meeting her in person was a bit of a dream come true. Ula is now heading off on her own new adventure after narrowboat life — well worth following her channel if you’re curious.

    And now for the big reveal…
    Drumroll, please… we bought a boat! ⚓🎉

    She’s currently known as The Henry Reid (named after the owner), but after a smooth survey and a lot of paperwork, today we officially hand over the money and make her ours. It feels surreal — a dream that’s been years in the making is suddenly very real.

    Back in Knoxville, life is busy too. Our home on Shadyland Drive goes on the market this Friday — fingers crossed for a quick, smooth sale. In the meantime, we’ve settled into our rental in South Knoxville, which has been a great temporary home base. One of the unexpected joys has been making the most of the Urban Wilderness trails right on our doorstep — miles of walking paths, woods, and nature to explore. It’s been the perfect balance of calm in the middle of this big transition.

    There’s still so much ahead — renaming the boat to And Away !, making her feel like home, and beginning the next phase of our adventure — but for now, we’re just grinning ear to ear knowing she’s ours.

    More updates soon, but for now it’s back to reality in Knoxville for the final countdown before the big move.

    — Sam & Chris

  • Boat Hunting and Seaside Living

    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, we might just have. No spoilers yet — we’ll keep you hanging until the paperwork’s in sight! But let’s just say, one of them ticked quite a few boxes and left us both picturing life on the water.

    All that travelling and boat-hopping has left us exhausted, so we’re taking it easy for a few days to recharge. That said, the trip up north did have its perks — we stayed in some lovely little places near Manchester and treated ourselves to some fab pub food along the way. Good comfort food always makes the miles feel shorter!

    Back in St Leonards-on-Sea, we’re starting to feel settled into our base. It’s such a lovely seaside spot — relaxed, friendly, and just the right mix of bustle and calm. We had a fantastic dinner with our good friends Jane and Helen the other night. Helen’s the amazing person who looks after our Airbnb here in St Leonards and she does incredible job keeping it guest-ready year-round.

    https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/45326837?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=01c15605-d886-4feb-a654-9b8ca043b81a

    The weather has been absolutely spoiling us lately — blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and perfect 80°F (about 27°C) days. After so many weeks of moving, packing, and travelling, it’s been a treat to just sit outside with a cup of tea (or wine!) and soak it all in.

    This next week we’ll be welcoming our friends Jack, Nicole and Lilah over from the USA, enjoying more of the coast and showing them the sights of England and maybe — just maybe — making a big announcement.

    In the mean time follow our vlog on You Tube- Like and Subscribe and make sure to hit the bell icon to get updates.

    And Away… – YouTube

    Until next time,
    — Sam & Chris ⚓☀️🍷

  • From Estate Sale to English Adventures: The Journey Continues

    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 and Janet, who generously let us crash at their place during the sale chaos. You’re both legends — thank you for giving us a soft place to land during a whirlwind week.

    Then came travel day: five very full suitcases, and off we went for our first trip back… A storm at Atlanta gave us a bit of an unexpected 3 hour delay, but eventually, we made it across the pond — tired but excited.

    We hit the ground running and didn’t waste any time — we went straight to see our first narrowboat not long after we landed. It was a great starting point and made the dream feel real. It’s early days, but definitely heading in the right direction!

    We then took a trip down to Devon to see my mum and had the most brilliant weekend at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. The town was alive with music — musicians jamming in every pub, every corner filled with rhythm and energy. Such a joy to be part of.

    Now we’re in St Leonards on Sea, at our 2nd home, but made a little detour through Brighton for Pride — and what a day! We saw Fat Boy Slim live (bucket list: ✅) and soaked up all the color, music, and joy Brighton always brings.

    We’re settled into our flat for now, and we’ve got more narrowboat viewings lined up this week — fingers crossed that one of them feels like “the one.”

    So much has happened in such a short time, and there’s still more ahead. The adventure is very much underway. new vlog will be up on Aug 13th .

    Like and subscribe !

    And Away… – YouTube

    Stay tuned,
    — Sam & Chris 🛫🎶🏳️‍🌈

  • Packing Up a Life in Knoxville: The Final Chapter Begins

    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 with our most treasured possessions — the kind of things you can’t replace. These trunks are already on their way to our final destination (and no, this isn’t the start of a suspense movie — we hope!). Saying goodbye to some of our “stuff” has been easier than expected, but sending off the special things we’ve collected over the years gave us a moment to reflect on just how much we have packed into this chapter.

    Now, we’re turning our attention to preparing for an Estate Sale happening July 25th, 26th, and 27th. Luckily, we’re not doing this alone. We’ve brought in the amazing Tina McMillan of Declutter and Clear Estate Solutions, and let me just say — if you’re ever facing a similar transition, get yourself a Tina. She has made the process so much easier and more manageable.

    We’ve passed on many family treasures to the next generation — heirlooms, photos, and mementos that will now begin new chapters in someone else’s hands. It’s been emotional at times, but also deeply rewarding to see them go to loved ones who will appreciate them.

    Alongside all of this, we’ve been hard at work prepping the house to go on the market. That meant:

    • Fresh paint throughout every room
    • Picture holes patched and painted
    • Decks stained and refreshed
    • Brand new flooring in the porch
    • And countless little jobs that never seemed to end…

    It’s been a long, exhausting, yet ultimately fulfilling process. With each step, it feels more real — the next chapter is almost here.

    Stay tuned for more updates as we get ready to list the house, hold the estate sale, and take off for a whole new adventure. And don’t forget to follow along on our You Tube channel And Away… – YouTube to see where we’re headed next. (Spoiler alert: it’s not an RV and it’s not in the USA!)

    Next weeks Vlog is the start of the Big Reveal!

    Here’s to fresh starts and full hearts.
    — Sam & Chris

  • And Away… We go?

    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 here six years ago, and together we’ve built a life full of love, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos.

    In that time, Chris grew The Brit Fix into a trusted and successful handyman business, and I found my passion helping people through real estate. We’ve truly enjoyed making Knoxville our home — the friendships, the work, the sense of community — it’s been a beautiful chapter.

    But the time has come for a new adventure. No, we’re not buying an RV and hitting the American highways. We’re doing retirement our way — and this time, we’re taking it overseas.

    Where to? You’ll have to follow along to find out! 🌍

    While we’re leaving the States, we’re not saying goodbye completely. We’ll be back every six months or so to visit Bex and Stephen, who are both married now and firmly rooted in their own beautiful Tennessee lives. It means the world to us that we’ll always have a reason (and a home base!) to return.

    This blog will soon get a fresh name to match our new lifestyle, and you can also catch our journey in real time over on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@NB-AND-AWAY — be sure to subscribe and follow along.

    Big changes are coming, and we can’t wait to share every step with you.

    Here’s to new beginnings,
    Sam & Chris