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Tardebigge Flight on the Birmingham and Worcester Canal

Tardebigge Flight on the Birmingham and Worcester Canal

Tardebigge Flight on the Birmingham and Worcester Canal

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Gas Street Basin Birmingham Canal Navigation

Gas Street Basin Birmingham Canal Navigation

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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Snowy boating scene on the Coventry Canal at Hopwas

Snowy boating scene on the Coventry Canal at Hopwas

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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The ‘Glory Hole’ in Lincoln on the Fossdyke Canal

The ‘Glory Hole’ in Lincoln on the Fossdyke Canal

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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Traffic Jam on the Hatton Flight On the Grand Union Canal near Warwick

Traffic Jam on the Hatton Flight On the Grand Union Canal near Warwick

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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Birmingham Canal Moorings on the Birmingham Main Line

Birmingham Canal Moorings on the Birmingham Main Line

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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Little Venice Regent’s Canal, London

Little Venice Regent’s Canal, London

One of a range of canal and river related greeting cards 7×5 inches. Comes sealed in a cellophane packet with envelope.

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Free to Cruise After Calendar Club

Free to Cruise After Calendar Club. After our second season as self-employed operators, we reflect back on the final few weeks ...

Choosing to jump off the ‘respectability’ of the endlessly turning hamster wheel in our fifties, was one of the best decisions Barry and I jointly made. It wasn’t an overnight move by any means. But a considerably-thought-out-as-much-as-possible one. We had a number of ideas as to how we’d make money. None of which was in paid employment or staying in one place long. My parents were elderly and…

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Last year we ran the Lichfield Calendar Club shop for 14 weeks. This season it’s ‘only’ 12 weeks, and we’re already half way through! Hard to believe then that it’s almost Christmas. Customers frequently say they know that time of year is near once we pop up.

It won’t surprise you to hear blogging isn’t high on our agenda at the moment, but I shall continue to keep you updated when possible.

Grab and run and roundabouts

Lichfield is a special city, full of charm and character. It’s famous of course for its Three Spires Cathedral, a short walk from our shop.

Opposite us there’s a butcher’s shop, which has a wooden door leading to something adjacent to it. Frequently during the day we hear said door banging. On Tuesday 13th November I was in the shop alone, as Barry had a day off, and I heard a crash. I just though it was the door as usual. A few minutes later my niece appeared at the doorway and told me there’d been a robbery at the nearby jeweller’s shop, City Jewellers. An axe had been thrown through the window, and watches and jewellery snatched before they ran through the alleyway to a getaway car.

I had a number of customers come in that day exclaiming “You don’t expect that in Lichfield do you?” Bless them, it can happen anywhere, though it’s fortunately a rare occurrence.

City Jewellers, two shops up from the car on the left , just after the robbery

A random roundabout appeared outside the shop

Calendar Club HQ visit

On Wednesday 14th November I had the luxury of a lie-in, followed by coffee and catch-up in Lichfield with a previous midwifery colleague. Immediately afterwards I did our banking, at the local Nat West (run by a lovely group of women), which must be done by 1pm each day. There was, as usual, a long queue, but I fortunately made the deadline!

On returning to the shop I saw Steve, our Territorial Manager, and Claire, Head of Sales and Customer Experience, standing in the shop. Phew! They’d only just arrived so I hadn’t missed much.

A few days away

Last week I left Barry to run the shop alone for a few days, as it was our eldest grandsons ninth birthday. We can’t decide who was more tired when I returned on Wednesday! Great fun of course, especially the Crocky Trail day on Sunday, and a special couple of days with Lisa whilst the boys were at school.

A day at The Crocky Trail near Chester

Lunch with Lisa

BOGOHP

Now we’re well into the Black Friday madness. Much as my conscience would rather not be encouraging people to spend money on ‘stuff’, I do believe in the product we’re selling and feel it’s useful rather than unnecessary.

We started yesterday and continue through till tomorrow evening, when we’re open late as it’s Christmas Light Switch On here. Buy One Get One Half Price – on anything int he shop expect Gift Wrap, or Barry and I!!!

Already Half Way Through Our Season Today Last year we ran the Lichfield Calendar Club shop for 14 weeks. This season it's 'only' 12 weeks, and we're already half way through!

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Walkabout From Leeds to Lichfield

I have to admit something I suspect won’t surprise anyone reading. In matters rugby related, my allegiance isn’t with the country of my birth. And despite Barry loving many things about life in the UK, when it comes to supporting The All Blacks, he switches back too.

Last Saturday New Zealand played England in the ‘Autumn Internationals’. Don’t be too impressed I know that, I had to look it up!…

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It’s felt rather unseasonal recently. I think. Well I can’t recall it being so frosty in October previously. Though that could be my poor memory. You’ll appreciate it’s a very British thing to talk frequently about the weather. Probably due to the vagaries of it in this country! Changeable, unpredictable, and interesting.

Frosty mornings are very pretty of course, but not great when you’re running a shop and have the doors wide open all day. The Saturday before last it even snowed at one point! Good job I’ve got thermals and a Calendar Club fleece to wear.

Barry ready to walk to the bus stop at Alrewas last week on a cold and frosty morning

Due to the intermittent lowered temperature, we’re being asked the age-old question lots again – “Is it cold on the boat in winter?” I reckon if we had a fiver for every time we’ve heard that, we’d have made a few hundred pounds! It’s akin to living in a house – if you have no heating then yes, of course, it’s cold. However, most narrowboats have a multi-fuel stove to make the small space incredibly warm and cosy. With the right coal, and fire settings, a semblance of heat remains the morning after the night before too. Occasionally also when we get in from a day at Calendar Club.

We choose three main locations to travel and moor during our winters at Lichfield – Alrewas, Hopwas and Whittington. Each have pleasant countryside moorings, local facilities, and crucially good bus routes. Fortunately from 1st November to 1st March, 48 hour moorings turn magically into 14 day ones. So it’s little trouble to us and there would be no advantage to pay for a winter mooring.

Grasping opportunities to see friends

Since opening we’ve welcomed many friends into our Lichfield Calendar Club store.  Apologies to everyone for not snapping your picture each time. It’s also an opportunity to make plans to see people we rarely do while we’re staying mostly still.

Last Friday we met up for dinner with two couples at The George and Dragon in Alrewas. I’d been in touch with Alison and Fran via Facebook, and we’d got a date when we were all free into our diaries weeks ago. Barry, Martin and Paul talked about brewing for hours (can’t imagine who influenced that subject?!), while us women reminisced about our years of amazing midwifery at Good Hope Maternity Unit in the late 1980s and 1990s. I have an abundance of fond memories of maternity care, and the mostly collegial atmosphere, during that period of my career. These two were, and are, very special people. Sadly only one continues to practice midwifery.

Alison, Fran and Sandra

I’m sure we’re going to be enjoying many more fun evenings, to keep us motivated in the coming months, as we continue to manage our shop seven days a week.

Brightening up our window

Our original window display wasn’t showcasing Calendar Club terribly well. we just didn’t know what to do to improve it. Fortunately we had a surprise visit from the Marketing Manager of Calendar Club a couple of weeks ago, after she’d seen the one we’d started with on a blog post!

The plan generally is to change the window display each week. However, the design and layout of our store makes this quite challenging. Access is limited. So we’ve had a bespoke design produced, appropriate stock delivered, and early on Saturday morning the new display was built by Barry before we opened to customers.

The original window display

Barry squeezes in the small space

Looking much better

A great transformation

It’s definitely an improvement don’t you think?

Hopefully feedback like the comments below from the ‘receipt competition’ (where you can win a £250 High Street Shopping Voucher by the way) is going to help our footfall and sales – how lovely!

Sharing the commitment

I’ve previously said how grateful I am that there’s two of us running our Calendar Club store, as it means we still achieve a modicum of work/life balance. Today, Monday 5th November (remember, remember), I’ve got a day off. Barry was off yesterday, though he spent it moving the boat from Alrewas to Whittington so it wasn’t exactly a rest day. He had my niece and her twin boys as company, but sadly I don’t think any of them took any photos. Along the way he filled up with water, pumped out the toilet, and stocked up on coal and kindling. All those vital necessities which keep us going.

Tomorrow Barry will enjoy a proper day off – being stationary and choosing what to catch up on, rather than moving, filling and emptying!

Gorgeously mild autumnal day

We’re already a quarter of the way through the 12 weeks, and loving (almost) every minute of the challenge. Sales are good, we’re welcoming customers we got to know last year and meeting heaps of new ones. There’s free postage on online orders of any amount until 19th November (normally it’s only if you spend over £10), and if you put in the code A1187, you’ll also get 10% off your order – and even better the commission will be tracked back to us!

Check out their extensive range of calendars, diaries, notebooks, mugs, advent calendars and more. There’s really is something for everyone! www.calendarclub.co.uk

Frosts, Friends and a Fresh Window It's felt rather unseasonal recently. I think. Well I can't recall it being so frosty in October previously.

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There’s something very special about being in a loving relationship that thrives on a (mostly!) strong partnership ethic. The intensity of running a Calendar Club store, seven days a week for around three months, really highlights this aspect of our marriage. This week’s been a perfect example of sharing the responsibility, and I’m counting my blessings that my life-path coincided with Barry’s in Gisborne one night in August 2005.

A Brighton Break

On Monday I drove to the dentist in Ombersley near mum’s house. It’s a bit of a problem living on a boat, being registered with doctors and dentists. We’ve not had time or chance to change to ones near my daughter yet, following mum’s death in May and changing address. So we’re keeping the current ones until we can!

From there I travelled to Brighton in a hire car for a couple of nights with my younger daughter, who’s over this week from Nigeria where she currently works. It was a whirlwind, far-too-short, but tremendously precious time together.

Wonderful treat of a scrumptious meal out at The Ginger Pig, as award winning restaurant in Hove

Amazingly the sun shone and it was deliciously mild.

She’d booked us tickets for a spooktacular nearby event ‘Tulley’s World Famous Shocktober Fest Scream Park‘ that I imagined would scare me heaps. I was intrigued that it didn’t. Though I reckon it’s my advancing years that helped me find it far more fun than frightening! We laughed loads. Screamed a little. So good for the soul.

It’s a big event in the south east

Pumpkins and fires all around

These twins scared a few folks – not sure what film they’re fro?

Acting scared!

Ready to queue for another spooky attraction

Stunning!

One of the ‘haunts’ involved wearing a black hood – freaky!

Sword swallower (how do they do this??) in the ‘Circus of Horros’

Walking through Brighton yesterday I spotted their Calendar Club Mall Unit, so took a snap.  There’s 155 stores and Mall Units across England, Scotland and Ireland up and running now, and over 100 still to open in the next few weeks.

Shortly afterwards, strolling up a busy city-centre street I heard my name mentioned – and turned to see a face I recognised, but couldn’t place. I suspect because I’m used to seeing Ray on a boat, rather than on land! Wonderful to bump into you Ray (from NB Stronghold), take good care.

Brighton Calendar Club Mall Unit

Ray Oakhill from NB Stronghold Blog

One Less Bureaucratic Box to Tick

I returned safely on board Areandare late last night, rather tired after three jam-packed fabulous days, and lots of driving. This morning I dropped Barry off at Lichfield Trent Valley station just after 7am, where he caught a booked train to Manchester. It was my turn to run the shop alone today.

One of the boxes he has to tick to be able to stay in UK with his wife (me!) is a ridiculous thing called ‘Life in the UK‘ test. There’s no doubt in my mind the vast majority of the British public would fail miserably. Most of the information is irrelevant to every day life here. But hey ho. He’s studied and taken sample tests for months (thanks for the loan of the book Tom from Waiouru).

Why, you may ask, did he have to travel all the way to Manchester to do this? Because our new postcode, that we must have for mail and ‘evidence’ for Barry’s visa application, is at my daughter’s. She live’s in Cheshire. When our ‘address’ was at mum’s his test would’ve been in Birmingham.

Oh my goodness. So much bureaucracy we have little choice but to accept in order to fulfil the ‘powers that be’.

Unsurprisingly, after studying ‘the book’ (not updated since 2013 by the way) on and off since 2013, and doing many practice tests, not to mention his fascination for British history, Barry passed the test. I’m sure he did so with flying colours, 100%. But they don’t actually give you your marks. Just a “yes you’ve passed” and a signed ‘Pass Notification Letter’ to add to the mountain of supporting evidence we’ve already gathered for his final application next year.

Phew! Well done Barry …

Yipee! Passed first time no problem …

Life in Brighton and the UK There's something very special about being in a loving relationship that thrives on a (mostly!) strong partnership ethic. 

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As self-employed operators for Calendar Club, we get the chance to choose to sell a charity calendar. Last year we contacted Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restorations Trust (LHCRT) to see if they had a calendar available. Unfortunately they didn’t. Shortly afterwards we were approached by a lovely lady asking if we’d sell Lichfield Calendars raising money for ‘The Pathway Project‘. We agreed as we both felt it was a most worthwhile cause.

This year, we’re tremendously excited that LHCRT have produced a calendar. And we’re proud to be selling it in our Lichfield Market Street Calendar Club shop. Rest assured readers that all proceeds go directly to LHCRT. Not a penny comes to us, or Calendar Club.

Now I’m not the greatest writer or historian about the British canals. Barry, as you know, is the fanatic (is that too strong a word I wonder?). However, I do have some awareness of the incredible energy that’s been given to fundraising for many years, and the voluntary work being undertaken by a wide range of people, to restore the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals. Sections of it are springing to life, and there’s new towpaths and walking trails aplenty to whet your appetite. David Suchet, by the way, of Hercule Poirot fame, is their Vice President and staunch supporter.

The LHCRT website is exceptional, packed full of all the amazing things that have happened since their inception in 1988. In 2001 they even fought to have an aqueduct over the Birmingham Northern Relief Road, aka the M6 Toll. It sits there silently, waiting patiently for a future time when it will be used. At which time I’ve recently discovered, one of the deepest locks on the system will connect it to the canal.

To discover more, go to the website. For a fascinating overview of what’s been happening over the years, and their vision for the 21st century, there’s an informative YouTube Video I’d recommend you watch – https://bit.ly/2CyZOm6 (You may even spot us featured at some stage if you look closely).

Here’s the front …

… and Barry shows a photo from inside the 2019 LHCRT calendar

Funds needed to continue the work

We’d encourage you to support LHCRT however you can. That could be donating via the website, volunteering, becoming a member – or coming to see us and buying a calendar!

Buzzing in the centre of town

We’re loving our current location in Lichfield. There’s an incredible buzz every day of things going on. The market for instance. We can hear the folks calling out their latest bargains. “Two punnets of raspberries for a pound” encouraged me to buy on Friday.

Yesterday it was the Lichfield Festival of Folk. We were thrilled to witness a lively procession passing right in front of us (if you’re my ‘friend’ on Facebook you can see a live video I took) …

Celebrating 30 years

Yesterday I was honoured to be a guest at the celebration of Helen and Andy Tidy’s 30th wedding anniversary. The actual date of the event was in July, when they were in Cosgrove on their boat. But they chose Saturday 20th October to have a gathering of close friends and family to mark the occasion.

Having to ‘man’ the shop seven days a week, sadly meant Barry didn’t get to come. I did bring him some cake back though!

There was a bit of a boating contingent in the room …

Adrian, Sandra, Bones, Andy, Helen, Jan, Half and Adam

Amazing cake

Sensational finishing touches on the tables

We certainly do lead a very full and varied life on and off NB Areandare, and realise how fortunate we are! Long may it last say I. 

LHCRT Our Chosen Charity Calendar for 2018 As self-employed operators for Calendar Club, we get the chance to choose to sell a charity calendar. 

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It’s been four days since we ‘birthed’ our Lichfield Market Street Calendar Club store, opening the doors to our first customers on Saturday 13th October. The pain of building the premises from a bare room to a fully functioning shop was definitely worthwhile. It was a brilliant beginning. The room heaved with customers eager to spend for most of the day, no problem finding us thank goodness despite us being in a different location to the past few years. Then again, it was a special weekend of ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’ which would’ve helped sales!

So far all’s going smoothly, and we’re loving being back in Lichfield. We’ve already welcomed many previous customers, and a few more friends have surprised us with a visit to cheer us on. 

One of the advantages for us of this period of the year, is the ability to  work together as a ‘team’; the common goal being to sell as many of the fantastic range of calendars, diaries and gifts as possible. Obviously it’s also an achievable way to earn a much needed income to sustain us during the ‘lean’ months of winter. Additionally Barry’s visa application costs us thousands of pounds, so we’re focussed on reaching that goal too.

Lichfield Calendar Club Transformation

In the previous post we shared how bare our shop initially looked, and the craziness of the build days. Check out the transformation by our opening weekend – via Barry’s lens  …

Sadly the window display won’t be changing much as it’s extremely hard to get at it

This year we have a ‘sandwich board’ which is brilliant and seems to be helping people find us

Looking up Market Street – a thriving thoroughfare and shopping area

Understandably it’s already feeling like our second ‘home’. This time round we’re incredibly grateful to have the luxury of carpet under foot – and heating! Oh yes, and no upper floor to trudge up and down to move stock, or go to the toilet. It’s all on one level, apart from a couple of steps up to the back store room and kitchen. Yes, a kitchen! I have no idea how Operators survive a season working in a Mall Unit, not being able to make tea and coffee, or eat food away from the service area.

We appreciate it’s not likely we’ll source such a perfect position and premises again and intend to make the most of the privilege. Hurrah for going the extra mile to find this year’s shop.

If you sign up to receive news from Calendar Club, I believe they’ll keep you informed of any future promotions (www.calendarclub.co.uk). Use the code code A1187, and if you order anything, and you’ll get 10% off.

Who’s planning on coming to see us before early January then?

Looking Fabulous and Loving Being Back in Lichfield It's been four days since we 'birthed' our Lichfield Market Street Calendar Club store, opening the doors to our first customers on Saturday 13th October.

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The transforming of an empty space and turning it into a functioning shop is an incredible thing to witness. It’s full-on for two days, with a team of people helping the first day when the most effort is essential. It’s a painful process, leading to an amazing adventure.

We’re wondering occasionally if we’re completely crazy. Rather like being pregnant for the second time, having planned to be (any women reading who have two or more children are likely to understand). The pain of the first labour and birth suddenly flashes back at you, and you realise the enormity of what’s coming.

That’s rather dramatic I admit. But bear with me …

The journey of our Lichfield Calendar Club set-up

To provide some perspective, the first pictures were taken by Barry when he went to check the measurements of the potential site of our 2018/19 store on 27th September.

34-36 Market Street Lichfield

Looking down towards the market square

Inside the front door

Space to the left …

Centre …

To the right

On Wednesday we were up bright and early, having stayed overnight at my older sister Kath’s house in Lichfield to guarantee arriving on time for the delivery scheduled at 7am. We had a team of family and friends arriving to help us, as well as the amazing Charlie, our Territorial Manager’s daughter and a very experienced Operator.

Next is the journey from pallets to store build …

Our delivery driver arrives right on time

Lee and Barry get ready for a big day

Our fixtures, fittings and stock all loaded and packed on pallets

One of four pallets of fixtures and fittings

One of three pallets of stock

The eight foot fixtures

From the pallets everything must be unloaded and taken into the empty shop …

Then our own Wonder Woman Charlie, jumps into action, competently and confidently leading everyone to work as a team.  The structure is soon put together with inspiring ingenuity, helped I might add by a large collection of cable ties!

The terrific team – Sandra, tony. Charlie, Matt, Barry, Kath and Lee

We even got our signs sorted …

There’s no mistaking us now.

Yesterday it was just Barry and I assembling the remainder of stock and sorting things such as a float for the till, all the Gift Wrap Envelopes (some fab new designs this year), dozens of mugs, and essentially making sure the shelves are full of fabulous calendars and diaries.

Throughout the day we had people looking in, asking when we’re opening – and a surprise visit from a couple of friends who just happened to be passing and saw us. No photos, I forgot was too focussed on the task at hand to take any at all today!

Opening Day Saturday 13th October

Before we open the door today I shall take photos for the next post, so you can really see how things have progressed. It’s quite magical.

I’m scheduling this post to publish at 0900hrs, the time our 2018/19 Calendar Club season officially opens to the public.

We’re both a little tired to say the least, but we know we’ve broken the back of the set-up. Talking of backs, Barry had to take more tablets last night to ease his poor old joints.

We’d love you to come and see us if you’re in Lichfield anytime between today and early January. The address is 34-36 Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH.

Even if you can’t, but you want to buy any calendars or other things anytime between now and early January and help contribute to our commission, use the code A1187 when you order online from www.calendarclub.co.uk

This weekend it’s ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’!

Ready to open Lichfield Calendar Club after a massive two days The transforming of an empty space and turning it into a functioning shop is an incredible thing to witness.

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The Home Brew Boat first began trading at canal-related festivals in Droitwich April 2014. Over the following three years the cruising plan was primarily based around planned events from April through to October. This year we decided to make considerable changes. We felt our floating lives were becoming ‘same old’, and we were at risk of going back down the negative (as we see it) spiral of a ‘work routine’. The very idea!

We did, however, decide we’d return to familiar, friendly and fun festivals in the month of September –  for a variety of personal and business reasons, to trade Barry’s wares. 

The Black Country Boating Festival (BCBF)

This iconic and incredibly well-supported-locally weekend at Netherton, near Dudley, is a favourite. It’s ably and efficiently organised annually by the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society, as is St Richard’s in Droitwich, they also manage the Parkhead Festival every two years. The commitment and enthusiasm shown by the volunteers to produce these trading and networking opportunities is incredible, and we’re very grateful to their dedication.

Our trading spot, as we’re regulars, is next to Helen and Andy on the Jam Butty/Wandr’ing Bark, near the Bumble Hole Nature Reserve café. Due to our respective different journeys in 2018, it was the first time we’ve had opportunity to spend time with our dear friends this year. So we made the most of it! Of course the obligatory game of six-handed-rummy was enjoyed, and lots of catch up chatting.

We also met two new terrific traders who were the other side of our boat sandwich. Kath and Annamarie began living on their narrowboat in April of this year. We let them know about booking in, and the nearest supermarket (Aldi of course, our favourite), though they’d already sussed that one out. What we didn’t realise until well into the weekend was that we were in the company of two famous Vloggers. Not only is Annamarie an extraordinary artist, together they are Social Media Whiz-wives! Check out their website, Facebook pages, and Youtube Channels. They really do have all their bases cleverly covered.

As an extra added bonus, we’ve since found a few things in common and been able to share accumulated knowledge between us which has been brilliant. I have no doubt our paths will cross again in 2019.

Lots of interested passer-by

Our new ‘best friends forever’ aka BFF Kath and Annamarie of The Narrowboat Experience and Art by Annamarie

Barry works his magic

All set up ready for the inevitable crowds

With the CRT CEO Richard Parry

Barry and I took our new buddies to the beer tent on Friday night, for a boatman’s supper (maybe it should be boat ‘person’s’ supper?), and a pint or two. There was also a solo singer, delightful, and of course the Shady Band, a group of talented boaters. Most entertaining – despite an unexpected short break when the electrics blew a fuse!

The footfall at the BCBF weekend is always amazing – whatever the weather. We were happy to welcome Richard Parry, the CEO of the Canal and River Trust, who paid us a visit on the Saturday. We’ve missed seeing him, as it’s always a pleasure to us to talk with him and catch up on all manner of fascinating things. 

One of the things I loved about this weekend was being able to wear my ‘Get Your Kit Off …’ t-shirts and sell alongside Barry on the Saturday. Most unusual for me, as I’m usually Facepainting elsewhere. Barry took the opportunity to sell-off a number of lines, in readiness for his new business venture. Which worked well at BCBF and the following two weekends. I shall say no more until he’s ready to share how he’s taking The Home Brew Boat forward …

Tipton Community and Canal Festival

This one’s a smaller event, though it doesn’t detract any from it’s niceness. It was Helen and Andy’s inaugural Tipton trading and I think they rather enjoyed it. We had our grandson on board over the weekend which curtailed me from being Barry’s side-kick. It did allow me to mingle much more with the traders in the park – and spend some of our takings supporting them!

Our corner mooring by the park

Barry shares his vast knowledge with customers

Tipton is a much-maligned town. Sadly there’s a number of local shops closed down, so it doesn’t look as though it’s prospering. There’s photos in The Fountain Inn (great pub!) showing what it looked in it’s heyday. 

In between Tipton and Parkhead, 26th September, we happily remembered the ninth anniversary of our English wedding – a Humanist service held on the roof of our previous narrowboat Northern Pride. There’s sparse choice of eating establishments in the area – which mattered not a jot. As Eastern Spice Balti, round the corner from our mooring, was perfectly splendid. Fabulous service, delicious food, and incredibly reasonably priced. 

Parkhead Canal Festival

This was our third bi-annual gathering here, along with Helen and Andy. This time however the trade boats were grouped in the side arm at the top of the locks, rather than on the canal heading towards Dudley Tunnel.

It was my 59th birthday on Friday 28th September, given a choice it’s unlikely Parkhead would feature on my favourite places to spend the anniversary of my birth! However … Helen and Andy treated us to a meal at Ma Pardoe’s, following which we partook of a drink or two in the beer tent. Certainly not a bad way to celebrate entering my 60th year. 

Another new meeting of fellow traders occurred too. Barry had chatted to Paul and Dave on ‘The Pizza Boat’ aka ‘Baked on Board‘ at Tipton, but I’d been too busy with our grandson to do much socialising that weekend! We’re told by many they make mighty fine sourdough pizzas. Shamefully we never got to taste one. Next time we see them we most certainly shall …

Birthday meal at The Swan

Our trade mooring

Julie’s canal art and Kew

The boys in the beer tent Saturday night

We also took the opportunity to get a ‘head and shoulders’ shot of us both by Andy. I rarely wear make-up, or get ‘dressed-up’, so it seemed opportune. We rather like it – a couple of silver surfers!

Unfortunately the footfall over the weekend wasn’t brilliant on our final festival. Despite that the weekend was extremely enjoyable – I even got to experience a trip on the Dudley Tunnel experience and try out a spot of legging, as well as watching the infamous ‘Duck Race’ debacle between the locks. Smashing.

Dudley Canal Tunnel trip

Legging

The Duck race

A whirl-wind of fantastic festivals, family and friends for September. 

Calendar Club UK 

For the third year running our autumn/winter income earning opportunity is with the excellent company of Calendar Club UK.  It’ll be our second season in the cathedral city of Lichfield. We’ve experienced a quite stressful few weeks while we’ve been searching and subsequently waiting for confirmation of a suitable a store, but it’s all coming to fruition this week.

Our Three Spires Calendar Club shop in 2017

We start to build our shop on Thursday 11th October, and if all goes smoothly we’ll open on Saturday 13th. It’s in a different location to last year’s Three Spires shop, and we’re confident this one will be in an even better place for people to pop on and buy their essential time-management-tools..

The next post will provide more details on this year’s venture, as it’s not completely signed, sealed and delivered yet. We’re hopeful of greeting and catching up with many readers in store over the coming months.

It’s exciting tinged with trepidation of the end of our ‘freedom’ as we know it for a few months …

Three Fabulous Festivals of 2018 The Home Brew Boat first began trading at canal-related festivals in Droitwich April 2014. Over the following three years the cruising plan was primarily based around planned events from April through to October.

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I’m on a mission to get the blog up to date this week, which may entail skipping a few adventures, and squeezing others into two posts. Do forgive me.

You see on Thursday 11th October we’ll be starting our 2018 Calendar Club season. Thankfully we received confirmation last Friday that we have a shop to run. It’ll be opening on Saturday 13th October, situated next door to the Samuel Johnson Museum at 34-36 Market Street.

We’re very excited, albeit feeling a rather daunted at the lack of freedom! As a seven days a week commitment, for around 13 weeks, we’ll have just two days when we’ll both be ‘off’ during that period. 

Another Teutenberg Visit

At the beginning of July this year, an email from Barry’s youngest brother Peter arrived in my inbox. Peter lives in Sydney and we rarely hear from him. Having had a succession of planned summer visitors, it seemed we could be getting an unexpected one. This time from Australia.

Peter’s email said:

“I’m heading over that side of the globe in a few weeks. Was originally just planning to do NY and Belgium, but decided to drop in on  London on the way through. So where will you guys be on Aug 20-22?”

Unlike Ray, Peter’s been to UK previously, spending many years working in London. The challenge was I’d already missed spending time with our grandsons over the school summer holidays, and we’d promised Lisa we’d have Leon on board once Ray had left. And he was booked in until 23rd.

Of course we also DID want to see Peter! So a compromise was made. Peter would catch a train from London to Tamworth, come to the boat for the afternoon, then he and Barry would head off to stay in Lichfield overnight. Then they could catch up properly and drink to their hearts content.

In the end we moored up at Glascote, so Barry could meet Peter at Tamworth station on the afternoon of Tuesday 21st August, show him the castle, and I’d take Leon to the Snowdome for a ‘Climbing Wall’ session.

We’d stayed near Drayton Manor Park on Monday 20th, and took him and our great nephew for the day. I’ve wanted to return to the park for years. It’s somewhere my family have frequented since the 1960s when there was a zoo and small play park only! It’s grown exponentially since then.

I was cajoled into joining the boys on a number of ‘thrilling’ (I use the term loosely!) rides initially, until they gained confidence and wanted to go it alone. Barry avoided all but the ghost train, which amusingly was definitely the feeblest ride at the park.

Barry and Peter at the Climbing Wall inside the Snowdon Tamworth

Sadly neither of us took more photos of Peter’s short visit on board Areandare, during his trip down the Glascote Locks. He’ll just have to return and spend longer on board next time!

48 hours with Kim and the 2nd 2018 wedding

We’ve certainly packed a lot of family and friends time in between, and while travelling, this year. The day Leon left us on 23rd August, Kim arrived for a brief but precious stay, to accompany us to our niece’s wedding in Lichfield. Another fabulous extended Walsh family get-together.

Unfortunately the long, glorious, British summer of 2018 decided not to continue and provide the warmth it’d been doing for weeks, turning disappointingly cool and wet for Vicky and Phil’s wedding. It didn’t dampen the occasion thankfully, we all just danced ourselves warm!

A special evening with Kim

Barry, me, Lisa and Kim

The stunning bride

Us two

Kath, Viv, Linda and me

Adventures with friends on board and en route

Moving into September and autumn, yet more kiwis contacted us and we arranged a day of narrowboating with Toni and Greg. Toni had been Barry’s Advertising Manager with the Gisborne Herald for many years, when he’d been a Professional Photographer. I’d not met either of them previously, but we were all soon happily sharing stories and laughter.

Cruising

Chatting

Locking

Barry and Toni on the towpath

Making themselves at home

Over the following couple of weeks we found ourselves meeting up with a whole host of people we hadn’t seen for ages, all fellow narrowboaters.

Pippa and Sean – about to sell their precious boat and move on land

Nicki and Jim came up from Gloucester

Gillian and Steve from all things Lancashire

James (missing Debbie) on the Pen Boat

Dave and Jan from ‘Yes Dear’, who we first met in 2009

What brilliant fun and adventures we’ve had in 2018. Never a dull moment.

September brought the three booked festivals we’ve had planned, all around the Black Country area. Unsurprisingly these events entailed a spot of frivolity and friends too!

More next time …

Another Teutenberg and much more I'm on a mission to get the blog up to date this week, which may entail skipping a few adventures, and squeezing others into two posts.