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  • Vicky 'n' Will's Travels
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  • Vicky 'n' Will's Travels

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Life continuously cruising the canals and rivers of England and Wales. Read more
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    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sandbach, England
    Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Ascending one of the duplicated locks with a view of the next pair ahead.
    Vicky took stock of what bulbs had come up in our roof planters. No flowers yet.She also sowed some seeds indoors

    Malkins Bank

    February 8 in England ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Today's temperature reached the giddy high of 10°C! It was dry with only a light breeze and we felt a sense of relief to be able to cruise in such clement conditions. The journey began at Wheelock Wharf where we emptied our toilet, bins and filled with water before beginning the Wheelock flight; part of a longer run of 26 locks over the next 7 miles known as Heartbreak Hill.

    Vicky was weak so Will took Tiger ashore and worked all the locks. This section is unusual because each lock is twinned with another, sitting side by side, in order to speed the passage of boats at busy times.

    The latter part of our journey took us alongside the Malkins Bank golf course, built on the site of the old Brunner Mond sodium carbonate works. Small cottages, originally built for short haul boaters and employees of the chemical works added interest to our cruise.

    We ascended six locks before mooring between numbers 61 and 60. The flat fields around us were divided up into smaller plots by white prodigious amounts of white electrical tape to provide grazing for ponies. The birds were getting busy courting and beginning to build nests in the hedges and there was a distant thrum of white noise from a flyover of the M6 motorway.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    New piling being installed on a well maintained stretch of towpath
    Beautiful sunset from the towpath at WheelockWe discovered a little park near our mooringThe park gave access to a sandy beach beside the River WheelockIt was a quiet mooringWheelock; Cheddar Cheese (L), Pet Superstore (back R) and a sign for garden gnomesSandbach Market HallA novelty offering from the chocolate shop: Pork Chocs. Will tried them but wasn't convinced.Vicky came away with a sumptuous bar of chocolate filled with mint ganache.Our lunch spot in SandbachCafé On The Square. 5 bean stew with kimchi and homemade quiche 😋St Mary's Church and the Sandbach Crosses seen from Café on the SquareSandbach main squareThe Sandbach Crosses. 9th century Anglo Saxon Grade I listed monuments.We hope our newly purchased boot scraper will be worth the space it takes upMr Whiskers does like a snuggle buddy at bed time. Leo isn't so keen 😏Good to see this pub reopened. Unfortunately Barchetta restaurant only had 3/5 food hygieneThe pups enjoyed their visit to the newly refurbished Cheddar Cheese pub2Vicky has been doodling mandalas during her rest days.

    Wheelock and Sandbach

    February 6 in England ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    We are taking advantage of the dry days to zip along the sections of canal we've travelled on previously, in order to get to new waters. We intend to turn north off the Trent and Mersey and explore the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals, heading north east on the Huddersfield Narrow, through Standedge Tunnel. Long term we'll travel east to Wakefield, then south over The Wash to Cambridge.

    Today we ascended the three Booth Lane locks and cruised through rural surroundings to arrive at Wheelock, stopping just before Wheelock Wharf, between a field and some back gardens on the off side. Will went straight off to explore and surprise surprise, found a pub! He got chatting to some locals who advised him to visit Sandbach, just a short bus ride away.

    A bitter wind blew forcefully overnight, draughting in through the air vents at the head of our bed. It blasted Rainboat so she rocked against her lines, only to yo-yo back and bang against her fenders. It was raining and frigid the following morning, with a real feel of -1°C. We waited for a dry spell before walking the dogs and even then only gave them a short one. Leo has a little more hair now and can keep himself warm for a while by running about but he gets tired quickly.

    We left the dogs with the heating on and caught the number 38 a few stops to Sandbach. It was nearly 15 minutes late and we got pretty cold standing on the roadside. Wheelock seemed a quiet place with a restaurant, pub, convenience store, pet store and a vendor of garden gnomes but Sandbach was more lively. A few covered market stalls sold fruit, veg, eggs and brick-a-brack while permanent stands inside the small Market Hall offered jewellery, vintage clothing, dog 'wellness', woodcraft, new age crystals and goth paraphernalia alongside the more conventional butchers, cheese shop and café. We were drawn to the Chocolates to Cherish stall which had a whole shelf, small though it was, dedicated to vegan chocolates, all handmade by Paul Stockbridge, Master Chocolatier. His partner Tracy runs her A Sense of Wellbeing business from the same stall.

    Vicky needed a sit down so we didn't linger long. The cobbled main square bordered by old townhouses was just around the corner. Here we found The Café On The Square which not only had a vegan option but a whole plant based menu alongside their vegetarian and meat based one. We joined other diners up a winding staircase where we were treated to a view of the square though the olde worlde vertical grid window. From our table we could see the locally famous Sandbach Crosses; Anglo Saxon stone monuments from the 9th century. They'd been destroyed sometime in the 16th or 17th century and their pieces scattered, but in 1816 a local historian had collected together most of the pieces and reassembled them!

    Sight seeing over, we visited the fruit and veg stall, butchers, Aldi and Handy Household; a good quality 'sells everything' store where we somehow managed to buy £77 worth of items, including a boot scraper in an attempt to stave the endless tide of mud tramped into Rainboat's galley. We really enjoyed our trip to this little town, which had a good mix of sightseeing opportunities, practical services and places to treat yourself.

    Friday was much the same weatherwise so we took the dogs to Cheddar Cheese; the Wheelock pub that Will had visited when he first arrived. It had been reopen for less than a week after a shiny new refurbishment. The staff were happy to have customers and the dogs got treats and fuss from them as well as other patrons and even the plumber 🥰 From here it was on to even more strokes and some interesting smells in the pet superstore. We took the opportunity to buy cat litter even though we didn't need it. The bags are so heavy they are difficult to carry over any distance so a canalside pet shop was an opportunity to be taken advantage of!

    Will returned to Cheddar Cheese for a fish and chip lunch the following day while Vicky rested. It was the pub's first day serving food so it felt good to support them.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    We were shocked to find ourselves in a queue for Stanthorne Lock 🚤🚤🚤🚤🚤
    A heart of rusty bells someone had hung on Wardle Lock gateFrom descending the Middlewich Branch we began to ascend the Trent and Mersey Canal at Kings LockThe British Salt factory alongside the canal produces more then half the UK's domestic outputAnother part of the salt manufacturersEntering the larger part of Tetton Bridge......only to find the profile change half way throughRectangular entrance and an arched exit1Another muddy mooring spot. Tiger stuck to the concrete lined bank to avoid getting mucky.

    Tetton Bridge, Trent and Mersey Canal

    February 2 in England ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    The day was a bit nippy and breezy but dry. We even got about 10 seconds of sunshine! After checking Mr Whiskers was onboard and not prowling in Stanthorne Woods Vicky took the dogs ahead to set Stanthorne Lock. We got a shock when we encountered a queue! Not one, but two boats were moored waiting to enter the lock and incredulously a further two boats arrived and queued after us! This rarely happens in summer, never mind on a dull day at the beginning of February.

    We chatted away with the other boaters and helped work the paddles and gates until it was our turn. We then stopped at the visitor moorings for Will to fetch his prescription and make a long awaited visit to Middlewich's Angling Superstore. After lunch we timed it right at Wardle Lock, arriving just someone was leaving. We still needed to fill it before we could enter but at least we didn't need to wait. Once we'd descended and exited, Will sounded Rainboat's horn and turned right off the Middlewich Branch onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. There is a very awkwardly placed water point at this junction which was in use so Will then needed to reverse and moor on the other side to wait for it. We are wearing a lot of layers this time of year and needing more water than usual to get through all the washing. When the woman and her French Bulldog had finished filling their tank, Vicky worked them up Kings Lock while Will began to fill Rainboat. Another boater then came to help Vicky work the lock when it was Rainboat's time. All in all it was a very cooperative and sociable day.

    The busy main road runs very close to the canal for more than a mile here with only a small embankment between them. It wasn't the nicest place to stop so we cracked on past the British Salt factories, up Rump's Lock and by some new Traveller homesteads. We came to a grinding halt half way under Tetton Bridge where the main road crosses the water. The bridge has been widened and its entrance profile is high enough to fit Rainboat's chimney and the canoe underneath but half way through the ceiling drops by about a foot. Thankfully Will spotted the danger and stopped in time, allowing us to put the chimney down and get the canoe off the roof. We moored not long after, alongside a large house and garden where it was safe for the furries to explore.

    Will messaged the fuel boat to let them know where to find us the following day, then managed to sit and rest for a whole 10 minutes before heading to the stern to fish with his newly purchased pole and maggots. He was rewarded with four fish and the sight of a huge flock of Starlings flying overhead.

    The following day was a pretty miserable movie and duvet day as Vicky wasn't well but the fuel boat came and filled our tank so at least we were toasty warm with no worries about where to get diesel.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    The towpath was a mess of claggy mud which inevitability got traipsed into Rainboat
    2Barbridge JunctionThe narrow Cholmondeston Lock was so much easier to work than the large, heavy, wide locks.Passing Paul and Antony on Morning Star at Venetian MarinaHe really does love being in his backpackVicky's been spotting Signs of Spring for the Woodland Trust. First flowering Lesser CelandineOne of the many stocked bird feeders alongside the towpathOur mooring at Stanthorne Woods near Coalpit Lane beeping bridgeThe Alhambra, Middlewich. A cinema in the 1920s, then a bingo hall, a bar & Chinese, now an ItalianOne of Will's many pleasures; sampling local alesBeetroot burgers at the White Bear

    Stanthorne Woods, Middlewich

    Jan 30–Feb 2 in England ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Calveley services were a short walk along the towpath and over a bridge from our previous night's moorings so Vicky took the dogs on foot while Will piloted Rainboat. The air was too cold and damp for Leo to want to be outside, so he was tucked inside her coat. A few minutes later she took pity on Tiger's efforts to pick her way through the claggy mud and tucked her under her other arm. Not quite the dog walk we'd hoped for!

    After emptying bins and the pee pot and filling with water, Vicky and the furries travelled inside while a well wrapped Will steered on the stern. The journeying was slow going with what seemed like miles of moored boats lining the banks. When passing any stationery craft it's expected that you drop your engine into tickover (about 2mph as opposed to the usual 4mph) so your wake doesn't unduly disturb the floating homes. Despite the slow pace it wasn't too long before we got to Barbridge Junction, taking the tight left turn off the wide Shropshire Union mainline on to its narrow Middlewich Branch. From her vantage point at the side hatch Vicky didn't think Rainboat would make it round, but the feared collision never came as Will executed the manoeuvre in one- bravo Will 👌

    There are hardly any other boats moving at this time of year so it was a surprise when we saw one ahead of us going into Cholmondeston Lock. It was even more of a surprise to realise it was Paul and Antony from the very successful YouTube Channel Narrowboat Life Unlocked. We got chatting while helping Paul work NB Morning Star through the lock and he remembered that it had been here on the Middlewich Branch where we'd first met, before spending Christmas 2023 moored in the Llangollen Basin together.

    The narrow lock was easy and quick to refill and get through compared to the heavy gated wide locks of the mainline and it wasn't long before we were overtaking Morning Star as she filled with fuel at Venetian Marina. We passed through Minshull Lock and pottered on to moor at Stanthorne Woods; another favourite spot of ours. Whiskers loves stalking down the bank into the mature copse and the towpath has been hardpacked so the dogs were happy to potter and we weren't traipsing in great clods of mud every time we stepped aboard.

    Someone has installed a series of homemade wooden bird feeding stations along this route. They are kept topped up with a seed mix and the hawthorn hedge is alive with the flutter of tiny wings and the chirps of happy birds; a real joy to witness.

    On Saturday Will cycled and Vicky took the chair the 2km in to Middlewich high street. We arrived at Rowlands Pharmacy at 12:04pm to pick Will's prescription up, only to find it closes at noon on Saturdays. Oh well, we could wait 'til Monday. The independent pet shop had neither Dreamies nor lickilicks for the cats and no sweet potato chews that Vicky had been looking for for the dogs. We did a Lidl shop and treated ourselves to a beetroot burger and chips at the friendly White Bear hotel and pub. Thankfully Tesco Express had Dreamies so we were welcomed back aboard by Abby and Whiskers!    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Approaching Wharton's Lock and its strong bywash
    Happy puppyGeese flying in front of Beeston CastleAn unimpressed Tiger Lilly at Beeston Iron LockRainboat approaching Tilstone LockTilstone Lock at its Lengthsmens' hutThe old stables at Bunbury Staircase LockVicky and Tiger were relieved this was the last lock of the dayWill made Vicky very happy by returning home with cake 😋

    Calveley visitor moorings

    January 28 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    The sky was blue and the sun was bright on this cool, windless day. Perfect winter cruising weather! Vicky set off with the dogs along the muddy towpath to set Wharton's Lock; the first of six on today's itinerary. She opened the paddles and popped Leo into the backpack with his hot water bottle. Leo gets bored very easily and his boredom tends to lead to mischief. Mischief and locks are not a good combination!

    Will steered while Vicky either rode inside or walked between the locks, depending on how far apart they were. We tackled Beeston Iron Lock (so called because of it's reinforced iron walls, Beeston Stone Lock, Tilstone Lock and finally the Bunbury Staircase Lock. The gates were heavy and the paddles stiff to wind and we were both pretty knackered by the end. Even Leo had refused to get out of his bag and walk the last time he was put on the floor! The small chandlery at Bunbury had sold us ice creams the last time we'd passed. Alas, Vicky's hopes for another to reward all her hard work were dashed when they didn't have any vegan ones 😪

    There were a line of boats moored just beyond Bunbury and we pulled in hoping to do the same. Vicky hopped on board with the dogs and Mr Whiskers hopped straight off, keen to make the most of the good weather after two days of captivity. Unfortunately, the underwater shelf protruding from the bank was too wide even for our tyre fenders, scraping and banging against Rainboat's hull whenever either of us moved around inside. We ate a late lunch and Vicky scoffed our last mince pie. Will found what looked like suitable moorings on Canal Plan AC and lured a reluctant Mr Whiskers back on board before casting off and cruising another 10 minutes up the cut. There were several other boats at Calveley, no shelf to contend with and Mr Whiskers was just as happy with his surroundings as he had been at Bunbury 🙂

    The next day was a duvet and movie day for Vicky and the dogs. Will walked 20 minutes to the Tollemache Arms in hope of a pub lunch but it turned out to be more of a formal restaurant than a pub so he took advantage of his Pensioner's bus pass and caught a bus to the the a canalside Texaco fuel station where he bought a hot pie and some fruit. There has been a dearth of supermarkets so it was a relief to get some fresh food. He followed the pie up with a pot of tea and slice of cake from the nearby Calveley Mill Shop and Café. Next door was a cheese shop we were used to passing on the canal but had never been in, so Will siezed the opportunity and bought a huge chunk of mature cheddar. He then walked back along the towpath with a slice of cake stowed away in his bag for Vicky.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    1If bridge number 111 was the NHS bridge, what would this one be 🤔
    Our mooring opposite the Shady. We were pleased to have rings to tie up to with Storm Chandra's windLeek and potato ravioli and Mi Amore pizza.Chocolate and hazelnut delice with kirsch cherries. Sooo gooood!1Mr Whiskers' substitute catnip mouse as compensation for him having to stay indoors.

    A poisoning beside The Shady, Tiverton

    Jan 26–28 in England ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    We'd planned to do a long cruise but Vicky wasn't well so she stayed inside with the furries and we just did a couple of hours, stopping at The Shady pub before we needed to do any locks. We're fond of The Shady so it was no hardship!

    That evening Mr Whiskers returned from exploring, sat on Will's lap for a while and was then violently sick. Luckily Will had time to put him on the floor before he vomited up three mice and some small colourless beads. Rat poison 😢 We locked him in to keep an eye on him and thankfully he didn't suffer any more obvious ill effects. His body obviously sensed something was wrong and was able to get rid of the toxins quickly enough for them not to do any serious harm. Thank goodness! We are aware we take a risk with the cats' safety by allowing them outdoors but we don't think Whiskers is the type to be happy as an indoors cat so we choose to take that risk for his mental health and physical fitness.

    That night Storm Chandra made herself known, lashing rain and gusting wind. It was rocky and noisy on board and not the most restful of sleeps but happily the worst had passed by morning and we were able to get out for a dog walk by mid day, even if Vicky did need to carry Leo in her coat because of the cold, muddy towpath!

    It was a treat to revisit The Shady for lunch. The food is pretty expensive but good quality and they have Vicky's favourite nonalcoholic cider: Smashed 😋    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    High pressure water spurting in to fill Hoole Lane Lock
    Leaving the city behindWe've always loved the look of the Tollemache Terraced housesPassing Boughton Water Tower and approaching Chemistry LockMuch deserved rest after an afternoon's cruisingMr Whiskers was very happy to moor next to a hedge and farmland. It was good for birdwatching too.Happy Haggis Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Waverton

    January 24 in England ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    Will had a serious case of 'itchy tiller' (don't worry, it's easily cured!) A move was what he needed, so on the first dry(ish) day after his birthday we cast off Rainboat's mooring ropes, cranked up the engine and set sail for some fresh scenes. There were five locks to get through, but happily Vicky was feeling good so she took Leo in a doggy backpack with his hot water bottle and Tiger on foot and was able to work us through all five. We cruised until the light began to fade and moored between farmland and some back gardens at Waverton.

    Will spotted the perfect place where a mature hedge made a T junction between two fields and the towpath. Mr Whiskers was overjoyed to get outside, although it was still a little busier than was ideal for him with all the weekend dog walkers.

    The next day was cool but dry and we all enjoyed dog walking somewhere new. Will caught up with composting and Vicky spent an hour on the stern doing the Big Garden Bird Watch. She'd been too poorly this time last year so it was extra special to be able to do it this time round. The results may have been skewed somewhat by Mr Whiskers' insistence on sitting on her lap but she spotted:

    4 Mallards
    5 House sparrows
    2 Robins
    2 Starlings
    2 Wood Pigeons
    2 Black Headed Gulls
    1 Blue Tit
    1 Dunnock
    1 Great Tit

    Evening brought a Burns Night supper and also the fuel boat. Will put the haggii on hold while they filled Rainboat's tank with diesel, then we settled down, toasted all things Scottish with a nip of whisky and tucked in 😋    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    A Mediterranean lunch at MRKT Café, Chester Indoor Market
    Our mooring in Chester BasinThe dogs enjoyed walks with their Dad in the Water Tower Gardens near Chester BasinVicky enjoyed time with her family, walking with Al at Hagg BankIt was fantastic to see Suhaine and the gorgeous Nathan on a day trip to EdinburghShe didn't get away from the canals that easily; a jigsaw she and her stepmum Sarah did togetherWill did his best to sample Chester's culinary offerings; a battered soft shelled crab burgerWe moved on to King Charles Tower Gardens beside the city wallsAttractive art work in one of Chester's many cobbled alleysA fantastic city centre green grocers with delicious organic fruit juices from small businesses.1Walking the city walls on Will's 72ndBrie wedges for the birthday boy at The Pied Bull1Initially disappointed that braised feather blade of beef was off the menu 🙊3On the pub crawl - this one had an digital detox policy so we took a piccie outside insteadEnjoying a single malt on the evening of his birthdayWatching Mufasa, Lion King to distract from Vicky's withdrawal. Tiger knew who the baddies were!Happy 6th Birthday Mr WhiskersA special birthday teaIt didn't take him long to demolish it!2Where's Will? 'Blending in' at the Rainbow Café 🌈😂Goodbye Chester. We love you! 🌈

    Chester, a trip up north and birthdays

    January 10 in England ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    Vicky kept warm indoors while Will piloted Rainboat from Ellesmere Port to the basin at Chester. It'll be a while until we reach new waters and in the meantime we are enjoying revisiting old haunts, Chester being our favourite waterway city. There were a lot of other boats moored in the basin but there was just enough room for us on the grassy side, giving the dogs somewhere nearby to toilet.

    On our first full day Vicky whisked Will into the centre to visit Fat Face, Seasalt and the new Lucy and Yak store, before a delicious Mediterranean lunch from MRKT Café in the Indoor Market food court. We then had a day to relax together before Vicky took the train to Newcastle.

    While up north she had a blood test for iron, ferritin and transferrin levels. She's recently been diagnosed with a genetic condition called Haemochromatosis. It causes iron overload and its main symptoms are fatigue and joint pain. It can be dangerous if left unchecked but is manageable. Her levels aren't too worrying and the diagnoses meant she stopped taking the daily vitamin and mineral supplement that contained iron. She's also cutting down on her venlafaxine medication with the aim to stop completely and apart from the horrendous withdrawal syndrome, she has been feeling a lot better. Long may it last!

    She enjoyed spending time with her family, had a wonderful day trip to Edinburgh to catch up with her friend Suhaine and her adorable toddler Nathan, then had a very emotional day attending the funeral and celebrating the life of our good friend Andrea who died suddenly and unexpectedly in December.

    Meanwhile in Chester, Will was hard at work. Vicky had set him the arduous task of finding somewhere nice to have a meal out on his birthday! When she returned we moved Rainboat up through Northgate staircase locks and moored at King Charles Tower Gardens. Chester Basin was good in theory but it was busy, with no cover for Mr Whiskers to hide so he didn't feel confident enough to go out. The dogs had got into the habit of scrounging underneath the picnic benches where they found scraps, including chocolate which is dangerous for them. A homeless person had taken up residence on one of the benches and Leo had begun making a beeline for him, hassling him and trying to cock his leg on his bags. It wasn't a good situation.

    On Will's 72nd we had a posh lunch at The Pied Bull hotel followed by a bit of a pub crawl - we were spoilt for choice in Chester! Whiskers turned 6 years old two days later, but his celebration was a little less extravagant, consisting of a chicken mousse for tea and a new hug and kick toy. Happy birthday boys! 💞    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Little Tommy Tucker's food stand served hearty portions at Ellesmere Port Market Food Court
    One of many pieces of pavement artGrotty, grey, dull dayGrace Tea Rooms serving cookie dough cake and lime curd and almond cake, both vegan 😋A little gem of a placeAbby liked the gourmet treat Uncle Ali got her for Christmas that Will decided to treat her againPoor Tiger has been badly affected by mites that Mr Whiskers brought back from the farm 😪

    Return to the Shroppie at Ellesmere Port

    January 7 in England ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    After 6 months of river living we were finally back on a canal with access to the wider network. No more worrying about winter floods. Far more opportunities to moor, better provision of services like water and bins and the ability to roam and explore new places. Returning to the Shropshire Union had lots of positives but we would certainly miss the beauty and nature of the Weaver, the quiet rural moorings, the cafés and bars we'd got to know, not to mention the people. Adrian, Alison and the 'Thirsty Thursdays' crew from Northwich Quay marina, Jane, Ian, Georgia, Mojo, Clyde and Melody from Sandy Lane Equestrian as well as Paul from Northwich Art Shop and Jenna and Shaun from Dante's Boutique. They'd all become part of our lives and will be missed.

    Also, we hate to say it, but Ellesmere is a bit of a dump. The towpath is littered with dog poo, rubbish and fly tipped items. The pristine white snow had melted, leaving a soggy, muddy mess behind, not improved by the weak and limited daylight. Nonetheless it was invigorating to be somewhere new. The boat museum and surroundings are mostly clean and well maintained so we headed to the Port and Anchor restaurant for lunch. It had advertised itself as open but alas there was no sign of life. We went to Plan B and made our way into town. A huge retail outlet called Cheshire Oaks has stolen most of the trade from the highstreet which is now filled with vape shops, takeaways and minimarts. It was a grey day with grubby streets but we enjoyed searching in the charity shops for replacement plates and found a food court in the indoor market. It was homely food sold cheaply on large plates. We found ourselves feeling glad the Port and Anchor was closed because we'd discovered a place with some life in it where the people behind the counter were either the owners or directly employed by them and invested in the business doing well.

    We reckon Mr Whiskers picked up some little friends at the farm who had jumped ship to Tiger. The insides of her ears and end of her nose had come up in horrible itchy spots which were driving her to distraction. The small market pet shop didn't have any treatment but a nearby Jolleys did so we stocked up on Spot On to zap all four furries and crossed our fingers that would be the end of it. There weren't any vegan sweet treats in the market either but we'd spotted the cute looking Grace Tea Room on the high street, which turned out to have a choice of vegan cakes and a quirky selection of crockery. It is such a pleasure discovering gems like this in an initially unpromising area.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Tied half in and half out of Marsh Lock entrance due to the floating pontoon having sunk.
    One gate was opened manually so narrowboats could enter and exit.Heading into the wind and waves on the Manchester Ship CanalPassing the narrowboat flotilla coming in the opposite directionThe final boat in the flotillaTurning into Ellesmere PortMoored under the closed swing bridge waiting for the council to open itVicky needed to crawl out under the bridgeA quick sarnie while we waited1Working our way up our first narrow lock in 6 months

    Manchester Ship Canal

    January 7 in England ⋅ 🌬 5 °C

    The long awaited day had arrived. We were due to leave the River Weaver! There are two routes on and off the river. Anderton Boat Lift, the most popular, takes boats to and from the Trent and Mersey Canal. It has been broken since 3rd January 2025 and it's going to be well into 2027 before it is operational again. Marsh Lock gives access to the Manchester Ship Canal, from where narrowboats can travel to the Shropshire Union at Ellesmere Port or the Bridgewater Canal at Manchester. It has been out of action since 12th September owing to electrical safety concerns and there is no estimate as to how long it will take to fix. There was a special manual opening, early in December and we'd booked Rainboat in to the only other opportunity on Wednesday 7th January.

    We'd originally planned to travel along the Ship Canal to Manchester but the journey was too long to do in the daylight this time of year. Instead we'd arranged to return to where we'd come from; the Shropshire Union Canal at Ellesmere Port.

    Over the last 3 days we'd driven a 5 hour journey back from Northumberland with four furries in a hire van and fought our way through ice on the river to get to Marsh Lock. Today we faced winds of 17mph with gusts of 33mph. We usually don't pilot Rainboat in anything over 15mph as her long sides and shallow draught mean she gets blown all over. We'd broken through thin ice to arrive at Marsh Lock that morning only to find the floating pontoon we were planning to moor at was half sunk. Improvising, we tied Rainboat half in and half out of the lock entrance.

    It wasn't long before the CRT lockies arrived. Vicky was in the middle of washing up when they asked said they were opening up early, so she piled the plates up as best she could and Will reversed Rainboat out to make room for the lock gate to open. We'd expected to be part of a small flotilla. As it turned out we were the only boat leaving the river but there were five travelling from Ellesmere Port to the Weaver. The lock operators took it in turns to wind the massive handle opening the gates into, then out of Marsh Lock, warning us that it was very blustery out there. We needed to cross the River Mersey in order to reach the Ship Canal. The full force of the wind battered us together with side-on waves as soon as we exited the protection of the lock walls. Our adrenaline spiked and a crash from indoors was heard as Rainboat lurched to one side. It was pretty hairy! Luckily the only casualties were a couple of plates, a bowl, a kilner jar of Seville marmalade Will had just made and a chipped floor tile.

    Things became easier once we'd crossed the Mersey and were heading into the wind and waves of the Ship Canal. We were grateful for Rainboat's 42bhp engine as she ploughed ahead, white spray crashing off her bow as she cut through the peaks. We met the other narrowboats half way. The sun was in our eyes so we didn't realise it at the time but the first couple were piloted by Matt and Rebekah Parrot who owned Northwich Dry Dock and had blacked Rainboat in September!

    The wind and waves were a lot gentler when we reached Ellesmere Port. Despite having been there before it was very difficult to see where to turn in to the port. We ended up going past the entrance and turning back into it. This made it easier to avoid the bow being blown into the wall. Our hearts sank when we turned the corner and saw the Swing Bridge across Whitby Lock was closed. We'd needed to wait over an hour for the council to send someone out to open it in the summer and feared the same now. We were cold and knackered and there was nowhere to moor but in the lock under the bridge 🤦‍♀️ Vicky got on the phone to CRT who were in charge of our booking and after 15 minutes a lockie arrived to tell us the bridge operative shouldn't be long. Around half an hour after we'd got there we were backing out, ready to be worked through into the boat museum marina.

    A further two narrow locks lay between us, the start of the start of the Shropshire Union and a place we could moor. As we wielded our windlasses for the first time in 6 months and winched open the gate paddles, Sue from the CRT turned up to check we'd got through the swing bridge- she'd tried to call Vicky back but there hadn't been any signal. It was very nice of her to check on us personally.

    Feeling exhausted but exhilarated we finally tied Rainboat to the towpath mooring rings just a few hundred yards outside the boat museum. What an adventure. It had been exciting but we were very glad to be back on safe waters once again.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Mr Whiskers exploring the snow covered Northwich Quay on our first night back
    About to set off the following morningBeautiful scenes to remember Northwich bySun shining off the Odeon building at Baron's QuayVerdin Park- a favourite of Leo'sThe first stretch of ice we encountered just downriver of Anderton Boat LiftSun setting over Saltersford LockRainboat moored against the lock wall. Lovely to see Ice Stars formed by water seeping up.2© and Credit to Sam Harmer. Our passage through the ice above Dutton Locks.© and Credit to Sam Harmer. Made it!2© and Credit to Sam Harmer. Vicky smashed ice with a barge pole at the bow.It had begun to melt after a rest at the bottom of Dutton Locks.Leo wasn't best pleased at the strange goings on.

    Breaking Ice to Escape the Weaver

    January 5 in England ⋅ 🌙 -2 °C

    The Canal and River Trust had announced they would manually open Marsh Lock (whose electrics are broken) on 7th January. They made it clear they may not be opening it again for some time. Keen to leave the River Weaver and get back to touring the canals, we booked Rainboat's passage through Marsh and along the Manchester Ship Canal to the end of the Shropshire Union Canal at Ellesmere Port.

    We then had some very sad news a few weeks before Christmas. Our good friend Andrea passed away unexpectedly in her sleep at the age of 59. We lived on Andrea's farm for nearly three years in between touring Europe and moving on to Rainboat. She left behind her partner Simon, with four horses, two collies and two geese. We put Rainboat into Northwich Quay marina, hired a car and moved ourselves and the four furries up to the isolated Northumberland farm for a fortnight over Christmas and New Year, staying in the old static van Andrea had bought. Vicky helped look after the horses and we tried to be around for Simon.

    Staying in the van in sub zero temperatures was tough but it wouldn't have been fair to move our furries into the house. Whiskers was scared of the collies, Tiger was scared of the younger dog Milo and Leo suffered from being left alone while we did the horses or spent time with Simon. We hope our stay did Simon some good.

    Three days before we were due to leave the Weaver we drove back to Northwich. The three hour journey took five hours because of the M6 being closed to repair a railway bridge. Despite freezing temperatures it was 2.5°C on board when we arrived because Will's wonderful friend Adrian Chattaway, who was also at Northwich Quay marina had been running Rainboat's engine most days to charge the batteries and putting the heating on for an hour to keep her from icing up. We'd met Adrian and Alison of Narrowboat Yorkshire Tyke on the Llangollen Canal and they'd celebrated Will's 70th birthday with him at Ellesmere. Adrian had welcomed Will into the group of boaters who met every week at Baron's Lounge for 'Thirsty Thursdays' when we met again on the Weaver.

    As Will ferried luggage from the hire van to the boat it began to snow. By bed time there was a proper covering and we woke the following morning to a world blanketed in white. After returning the car, shopping and dropping off a 'thank you' bottle of JD for Adrian he piloted Rainboat out of the quay and downriver for the last time. Despite the cold temperatures the channel hadn't frozen and we assumed that because there was a flow, there wouldn't be a problem. Well you know what they say about assuming don't you...

    Just after passing Anderton Boat Lift we encountered our first stretch of ice. It was thicker than we'd ever traveled through on the canals but we needed to keep going because we'd arranged for CRT lockies to work us through Saltersford and Dutton Locks the following morning. The boat shuddered and lurched as the ice creaked and snapped at the bow, scraping along the newly blacked steel hull. Whiskers darted under the bed, then emerged to cuddle with Vicky, Leo reacted as he usually does to anything unknown, by barking his head off and Tiger trembled and clung to Vicky, despite anti anxiety medication we'd given her before setting off. The ice continued for a couple of hundred metres and we managed to get through. It was sometimes necessary to reverse Rainboat to build up speed and ram the thicker parts. We encountered several more patches where the sun hadn't thawed the frozen water, the last being at our destination; the floating pontoon at Saltersford Lock. It was too thick to break here, so we improvised by tying up to the high concrete wall at the lock entrance. We had to lift the dogs up and down for their walks but they weren't that keen to be outside anyway as Leo was too cold and the snow clumped painfully in Tiger's paws. We kept the cats in for safety, much to Whiskers' disapproval.

    It rained heavily overnight which helped to thaw some of the ice but it was still a struggle to get into the lock when the CRT arrived the following morning. Vicky stood on the bow with the barge pole, spearing it through the ice to weaken it in the direction we wanted to turn. She did this again when we reached Dutton Lock. The ice was 2-3 inches thick here and very difficult to get through. Unbeknown to us a person called Sam Harmer was out to capture photos of the snow covered landscape with his drone. He took a few photos and a video of our exploits which you can see below. Thanks Sam!

    Once through Dutton Lock well moored on the lock landing and rested, giving the ice ahead a little more time to thaw. With our passage through Marsh Lock booked for 11:20am the following day we wanted to get a couple more miles under our belts, so 'cracked on' after an hour or so.

    A couple of miles from Marsh Lock the light fading. Will tried to reach the bank by the boat club, but again the ice was too thick, forcing him to reverse up and moor at the floating pontoon behind the restored Daniel Adamson tug boat; now a popular trip and event boat.

    That night a front of warmer air and rain moved in and thankfully melted most of the ice so it was easily broken by Rainboat's bow. It unfortunately brought with it winds of 18mph with gusts of 33mph 😪 Our usual cutoff for travel is 15mph but needs must. Will wrapped up warm and ploughed through the now thinner patches of ice to arrive safely at Marsh Lock with an hour to spare before it was due to be opened. Well done Will!    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    The work of Northwich Toppers
    Will's shy and retiring personality shining through 😉'Chuck a Pudding'Bratwurst for lunch with his charity shop Christmas waistcoatAnother crocheted masterpiece from the ToppersThe Hogfather at Harlequin TheatreDeath and Albert dressed as the Hogfather and an ElfLantern ParadeTiger Lilly's 3rd Adoptiversary at Coffee #1Getting in the Christmas spiritLeo's 7th Birthday at Coffee #1This year's new Christmas decoration, bought from Dante's Boutique, personalised by VickyVicky did a bit of decorating with a Posca pen

    Northwich Christmas Celebration

    November 29, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Time had ticked by and we found ourselves approaching Christmas. Neither Anderton Boat Lift (nicknamed Anderton Broke Lift) or Marsh Lock had been fixed, meaning we were still on the River Weaver. We'd come to really love Northwich and it's small businesses and had been looking forward to celebrating the festive season here.

    Christmas kicked off on Saturday 29th November when Will donned his novelty waistcoat with golden snowflakes on and we headed into town for the Northwich Christmas Extravaganza! The weather was cold and rainy so we wrapped up warm with waterproof clothing and began to explore the stalls. Unlike the Piña Colada Festival in summer, most of them were run by the high street shops. As frequent visitors there was little new to look at but we did enjoy a go on the free 'chuck a pudding' game and saying hi to the stallholders. The weather didn't encourage a ride on the ferris wheel so we moseyed on round to Baron's Quay where Will found a bratwurst stall for his lunch.

    After warming up on Rainboat we walked to the Harlequin Theatre where we'd booked seats for the matinée performance of The Hogfather, adapted from a Terry Pratchett discworld novel. We'd watched the small company's performance of 1982 the pervious month and it had been top notch so we were really looking forward to this. We weren't disappointed. It was a high quality adaptation with humour and great acting.

    From the theatre we went straight to Waitrose car park and the start of the lantern parade. Volunteers were giving out free mince pies and mulled wine and children were attaching their handmade lanterns to sticks. Snow geese floated above the crowd on flexible poles and soon a giant snow queen puppet led the procession up the high street to the sound of drum beats from the marching band in Christmas fancy dress. It was an amazing atmosphere, with crowds lining the walkway and turning in to follow on behind. Everyone assembled in the square at Baron's Quay where a Radio Northwich DJ was broadcasting from the stage and lights bedecked a large Christmas tree ready to turn on. By this time we were both very cold. With fireworks due to accompany the lighting of the tree we made our way back to the furries so we'd be there to reassure them. The big switch on was broadcast on Facebook and we watched the fireworks from the boat while Leo and Tiger happily tucked into peanut butter licky mats. Thank you Northwich. What a way to kick off the Christmas season!    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Rainboat and Enigma in the dry dock under a full moonRainboat's old propeller with the dink in it2The used anode, designed to slow the rusting of the steel hull.You can see the rust at the waterlineThe hulls before the old blacking was removedOld blacking removed and a grey undercoat applied to the steelThe sacrificial anode was good enough to keep until next blacking so was painted overSmart coat of primerShiny new propeller and the two pack epoxy appliedShiny bottomsSteps down from the stern. None of the furries were keen.The dry dock to the left with the stopgate being lifted by the yellow gantryWhiskers was very happy to get back out of the dock

    Northwich Dry Dock

    Sep 5–12, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Every three or four years narrowboats need their bottoms blacked 😳 The base and sides of the hull get scraped and bashed and exposed to all sorts of detritus and bacteria in the waters they travel through. To avoid rust taking a hold and eating away the steel, boats are taken out of the water and a new protective coating applied.

    Northwich Dry Dock is located on an island near Hunt's Lock on the River Weaver and has a good reputation. Rainboat has been afloat for 28 months now and we have time to spare before any route off the Weaver opens up, so now was a good time to get this particular job ticked off.

    Will got in touch with Matt and Rebekah who operate the dock and booked her in. At 15:30 on Friday 5th September we took the branch off the main navigation that led to a weir and the dry dock, located between two of the arches of Hunts Viaduct; a visually striking position. On arrival we found another narrowboat called Enigma already moored in the dock. Following Matt's directions, Will steered Rainboat in and we tied up to the starboard side.

    Matt used the overhead gantry to lower the stop gate in. He carefully tied both boats to ropes which ran through pulleys and had weights on the end. Next, the paddle at the far end of the dock was opened, releasing a torrent of water into the navigation and gradually draining the dock. As the boats lowered with the water level, Matt and Rebekah kept a careful eye on their positions. Sturdy sleepers lay across the base of the dock and each boat came to lay gently on top of them as the water drained away.

    The gantry crane was used to place a set of steps next to our stern so we could get on and off. Matt and Rebekah had thoughtfully put carpet onto them to make it easier for the dogs but each step was taller than Tiger so it was very tricky for them and we ended up carrying them. For the first two days Leo was too nervous to even descend the stone steps into the empty dock so needed carrying up and down these as well!

    Matt gave us the dock induction, including safety, facilities and routes on and off the island. Some people choose to do the work themselves but it is very labour intensive and Vicky had persuaded Will that it was a good idea to let Matt, who had done it many times before, undertake the task for us.

    The job started almost immediately with Matt blasting away the original blacking with a pressure hose. It was filthy work which required him to lay underneath Rainboat and get covered in the black layer of detritus as it peeled off. He worked fast. Once the hull was blasted back to the steel, he checked it over for damage and pitting, applied some anti rust paint in places and between spells of rain painted on two coats of Two Pack Epoxy over the next 5 days. We chose this instead of bitumen because it is more durable and adheres better. While the new blacking was left to dry Matt wrestled to remove our propeller. It had been damaged over the course of our adventures, probably due to frequent grounding on the shallower canals. It was a real struggle to remove and surprisingly heavy. With a shiny new prop installed and her unblemished coat of paint, Rainboat's underside was gleaming.

    It was a strange experience living in the dock for a week. The sound of water streaming through small gaps in the stopgate was a constant and a little disconcerting considering the river level on the other side was above our heads. Trains slowed when they crossed the viaduct but even so, the rumble and vibrations could be heard and felt inside Rainboat. Whiskers didn't feel confident enough to use the stairs so spent the entire time cooped up inside, sitting on the stern or prowling the rooftop. We walked the dogs on the island, being careful to keep them away from Matt and Rebekah's hens. A bridge led to a path along one side of the river and we could cross Hunts Locks to access a park on the other side. Leo liked this route best because it passed the lock hut where CRT people often fed him treats. Northwich was a reasonable walk away so we only went a few times.

    When the week had passed we were more than ready to regain our sea legs and enjoyed watching the paddles open, refilling the dock and refloating our boats. We noticed straight away what a big difference the new propeller made to how smoothly Rainboat sailed so were very glad we'd had it fitted.

    Thank you to Matt and Rebekah for the work you put in and for allowing us to stay on board. It was a lot easier doing this than rehoming ourselves and the four furries for the week! The closure of Anderton Boat Lift and Marsh Lock means Northwich Dry Dock Company will struggle for business while the Weaver is cut off from the rest of the canal and rivers network. We do hope they make it through.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    1Northwich moorings lit up at dusk
    Vicky returned to a tasty crop of rooftop cherry tomatoesSame blanket Vicky proposed on 20 years ago and same bloke she proposed to!Heidi the pirate's Jolly Roger boat with a painting of her first mate Bonnie the French BulldogTasty lunch at Wildwood on Baron's QuayThe dogs got into the spirit of the Piña Colada Festival2They got a lot of love while wearing their leis.2Will's appearance on Heidi the Pirate's vlog

    Northwich Piña Colada Festival 🍍

    August 14, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Now that we've traveled as far up the River Weaver as possible we are going to take a blogging break. We'll be pootling back and forth up and down the river over the next month and will only post if there is something particularly interesting. Which brings us on to Northwich's Piña Colada Festival!

    In 2021 it came to light that Rupert Holmes, the person who wrote and sung 'Escape (the Piña Colada song)' was born in Northwich. Ever since then the town has been celebrating this claim to fame with a summer festival. We knew that Northwich was a vibrant town that put a lot of effort into attracting people and trade to its streets. This was the best example of these efforts.

    The fun began at midday and ran until 6pm. The place was packed with people wearing Hawaiian shirts, tropical print dresses and flower leis of different colours. It seemed that every high street business had done something special. Shop fronts, pubs and cafés were decorated with pineapples, flowers and bunting. Outdoor tables served freshly made piña coladas; each with it's own twist. One place even served them up in hollowed out pineapples!

    The cocktails were expensive but there were a whole load of free activities. Live music blasted from stages at both ends of town and/simple fairground stalls including 'hook a flamingo' and a coconut shy were popular with the kids. Several tonnes of sand donated by a local construction firm was laid out as an urban beach. This kept the little ones happy as their parents put their feet up and watched on from deckchairs. A community of knitters and crocheters had been exceptionally busy; handmade pineapples and flowers decorated post boxes, bollards and railings, lending a Hawaiian feel to Northwich (albeit a woolly one!)

    Piña Coladas are normally too sweet for Will but he immersed himself in the spirit of the celebration and sampled a few, while Vicky enjoyed a virgin version. There was such a good feel to the day; everyone seemed happy and up for some fun. Later on Will caught the final parade of drummers, dancers in rainbow tutus and human butterflies. It was a day we'll remember with a smile on our faces!

    The pontoon moorings outside the Odeon were full but we moored a little way upriver alongside a stretch of grass, separated from a private residents' area by railings and a concrete wall. It was so much better for the furries than the pontoon and we spent the afternoons outside in the shade of the wall. We knew Heidi the Pirate (a YouTube vlogger we've followed for years) was on the Weaver so we were happy but not surprised when she moored along from us with her little French Bulldog rescue Bonnie. In keeping with her pirate persona Heidi likes a nip of rum so she couldn't possibly have passed up a visit to a festival all about a rum based cocktail! Her followers often gift interesting bottles of rum to her, which she features on her videos. Will had picked up some alcohol free Captain Morgan rum, which she jokingly told him he could keep! It's always a pleasure when you meet someone you enjoy watching and they are just the same genuine person as they present online. Leo and Tiger enjoyed playing a little with Bonnie, who Heidi is trying to socialise. She has recently bought a 'new to her' boat that she's renamed 'The Jolly Roger' and had a great painting of her 'first mate' Bonnie done on the side.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Whiskers felt relaxed outside with Al at Vale Royal
    Whiskers accompanying us on a dog walk2Blissed outAl has a way with animals, especially catsHeron on a dead branchAbby perked up with Al's attentionsPoor quality photos but she was really showing off for him2Quality play timeLeo was very happy with his pizzle stick2A family lunch at the KingfisherVicky got to catch up with Lenny (L) and Elsie (R) at her Dad and Stepmum's house2Vicky's parents' dog Elsie trying to make up for the doggie snuggles Vicky is missing from T & LVicky returned by train. The wheelchair space was in 1st Class!Liverpool Lime Street Station

    A visit from Al and the Manderscheids

    August 7, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Vicky's wonderful brother Alastair had finally secured a fortnight's holiday from his lorry driving job and was coming to visit us for a couple of days! We love Al's company and so do the furries. Vicky had gone a bit mad on Ebay and Al's boot was stuffed with her purchases. We met at Winsford Marina whose car park was free and close enough to cart the packages from car to boat after a sudden torrential rainstorm had passed.

    Following a cuppa and catch up, Will took Al on a mini pub crawl while Vicky rested. The boys brought a Chinese takeaway back which we ate before cruising to the quiet moorings at Vale Royal. The cats were a lot happier to come and go here and we didn't need to worry about the Leo annoying the swans or stealing their food.

    Over the two nights spent here Al had time to unwind and make a big fuss of Abby and Whiskers. He misses having cats and being favourite uncle to our two is the next best thing. Abby certainly perked up with his presence and he even got her to play with a wand toy!

    On Saturday we returned to Winsford and Al drove us to get a couple of large bags of cat litter to save us the trouble of lugging them back on foot. He helped Vicky choose a few toys to enliven Abby and a pizzle stick for Leo who had come along for the ride.

    As if Al's visit hadn't been enough of a treat, our niece, nephew, great niece, nephew and partner had arranged to have lunch with us on their way between the first and second part of their holiday! Rainboat was too small and Winsford didn't have anywhere to eat so the eight of us met at the Kingfisher pub five minutes' drive away. Since moving on to the boat we haven't seen as much of them as when we lived in the van. We really appreciated the chance for us both to catch up with them m.

    After desert we nipped back to Rainboat hoping Mr Whiskers would be around for Kaiya and Sophie to say hi to. Unfortunately his tracker was out of range but Abby, Leo and Tiger Lilly got extra love in his place. All too soon it was time for Vicky, Dave, Kaiya, Peter and Sophie to leave for the second part of their holiday so we said our goodbyes.

    Vicky and Al found Whiskers relaxing beneath some thick bushes and walked him back to Rainboat. They then packed the last of Vicky's luggage into the car and began the long trip back up north while Will set off for Vale Royal moorings once again.

    What a wonderful time catching up with family. Thank you everyone for visiting us!    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    The wildflower meadow near our mooring.

    Winsford pub moorings

    August 6, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    The furries favourite uncle was coming to stay on board for a few nights and we'd arranged to meet him at Winsford. We'd given Al the location of the marina car park but decided to moor the preceding night at the CRT pontoon just before the end of navigation, close to the Red Lion pub. It would hopefully be less busy and had good access to a walking trail leading alongside the Weaver. By staying here we didn't need to worry about swans, swan food left on the ground or cars.

    Will went and stocked up on food and beers at the nearby ASDA before doing a bit of tidying. Whiskers ended up joining Vicky and the dogs on a walk past a lovely wildflower meadow but got scared by the sight of a big dog and darted into the bushes. The path was pretty busy and Vicky didn't want to call him out to another situation where he'd get scared so she returned with just the dogs. At dusk she went back out and he popped out of the bushes at pretty much the same point he went in, walking by Vicky's side all the way back home.

    Traffic noise from the bridge was quite loud into the night and started early in the morning. As we were getting ready to go on another dog walk Vicky looked around and couldn't see Leo. One of us had accidentally left the stern gate open and he'd taken his opportunity to escape. We quickly began calling his name and a woman with a large dog directed us to the Red Lion. Apparently he was inside! We found him getting some fuss in the beer garden but as Vicky retreated with Leo tucked under her arm, a bar attendant called her back to say he'd piddled inside. She returned on the walk of shame with cloth, water and enzymatic spray to deal with the tuppence sized drop on the wooden floor. Apparently Leo had misunderstood that pubs are places where people get p*ssed, not places to p*ss in! 😵‍💫    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Abby chilling on the the path. When a group of cyclists approached she glared but didn't move.
    Refreshing dust bath.Beautiful lake alongside the towpathHeron perched on an old branch by the reeds

    Vale Royal #2

    August 3, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    After a rather stressful time at Winsford we tracked down and retrieved Mr Whiskers then headed back to Vale Royal Moorings to unwind and see out the named srorm that was forecast.

    It felt good to be somewhere a little familiar and although Floris brought sharp gusts and a huge rain dump, the mooring lines held tight to the rings and the river level didn't rise enough to cause us any problems. Once the extreme weather had passed we took Leo and Tiger along the towpath and Mr Whiskers decided to join us too. Alongside the path are a series of small bogs which turn into larger ponds and eventually a lake surrounded by trees. Some are long dead and their stripped silver white trunks stand in stark contrast to the myriad of greens, oranges and yellows in the lush surrounding foliage. Ducks have flattened reeds on the sloping banks to congregate and preen their feathers while three herons have their various perching spots higher up. We'd often hear buzzards' familiar cries and look up to see them circling. Just what the doctor ordered!Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Rock salt mine on the way to Winsford
    Passing under the end of navigation bridge for our 14th Silver Propeller SiteWinsford Marina was a lovely recreational area, if a little run downThe railings didn't keep the dogs away from the benches and dropped swan food for longA sole Hooper Swan amongst the many Mute SwansThe wide flash beyond the marina was too shallow for big Rainboat but Will explored in the canoe2Tiger is definitely more chilled travelling on wide rivers than narrow canalsHomemade falafels and salad with fuscia flower for tea after the visit to A&E

    Winsford Marina, the end of navigation

    August 2, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The River Weaver is only navigable for 20 miles and today we reached its upper limit. A sign at Wharton Road Bridge (which also happened to be our 14th Silver Propeller Site) announced we were passing beyond CRT jurisdiction. Fifty metres later we turned and backed into Winsford Marina; empty of other boats but full of swans. Mooring was a little difficult as the sides were silted up in places but we settled ourselves in to a spot by a handy tap. Wooden decking encircled the water. Weeds poked through and it had holes where the weathered boards had cracked but it was a nice touch. Metal railings with a gate on each side bordered this, separating us from other visitors who came to feed the swans. A cut grass green edged by trees lay between us and the river channel and benches were used by locals as meeting points or just places to sit and read a book. A lot of thought and money had gone into creating the whole area and it was still very popular despite falling into slight disrepair.

    In the late afternoon we took the dogs for a stroll. Vicky wasn't feeling great so was grateful the paths were suitable for her chair. Part way through the walk she began to get chest pains and breathing difficulties. She's had these before but they usually stop after a while. These were more painful and didn't stop so when we got back to Rainboat Will called 111. They asked a long list of questions then sent an ambulance. The ambulance crew tested Vicky's blood pressure and pulse which was above 100bpm, then did an ECG. This was normal but they decided to take her to Leighton Hospital A&E to get checked out. Being a Saturday evening we were stuck there for the next 15.5 hours, only returning to Rainboat at 08:30 the following morning. Poor Leo had barked himself hoarse and Whiskers was desperate for a pee. The hospital ruled out everything obvious but the doctor looked blank when ME was mentioned. Reading up on the internet afterwards it isn't uncommon for these episodes to occur with people who have ME. At least the staff brought free tea, coffee, juice biscuits and cakes around a few times throughout the night!

    We slept through the morning then decided to return to Vale Royal moorings to relax and recover properly.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels

    Vale Royal Visitor Moorings

    July 30, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    From busy urban Northwich, the furries were desperate for some time out in the country. We found the perfect moorings just beyond Vale Royal locks. A long stretch of grass and gravel towpath backed by wetland and native woods meant the dogs could trot up and down to their hearts' content and Whiskers could stalk amongst the foliage all he wanted.

    Runners, cyclists and a few walkers passed by but it was far enough away from civilisation not to be busy. A bench was situated right outside, which Whiskers used to charm a captive audience. Will swam, canoed and fished and Vicky relaxed and took short walks with Leo, Tiger and Whiskers. It was blissful.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Approaching Hunts Lock
    The river gates are a pot larger than the ones we've been used toSonar surveyorsPontoon moorings outside the OdeonLatke burger for Will at BEAR with a mix of things for VickyThe best part 😋Northwich had made a big effort with street decorationsLots of flowers brightened the place up

    Northwich

    July 28, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    It was a short distance between Anderton and Northwich but we had to go through Hunts Lock which was being surveyed with a sonar scanner mounted on a little boat in preparation for repairs. It wasn't a long delay and interesting to see.

    The gated access pontoon moorings were adjacent to the Odeon, BEAR restaurant and a few bars. It was an excellent spot for access to the town centre but poor for furry facilities. Leo poddled up and down the pontoon but there was nowhere nearby suitable for walking him and Tiger Lilly. Abby is mostly boat bound but Whiskers found it very frustrating not being able to roam and didn't feel comfortable toileting on the pontoon.

    We treated ourselves to lunch at BEAR and Vicky had a delicious lemon and pistachio cake for desert. She'd visited BEAR in Stone with her stepmum as a birthday treat and was keen to go again as there were lots of plant based options.

    On the first day found a little wood on the other side of the river to walk the dogs and the following day we carted them to the other side of town to a walk along a tributary. It was a long way to go for a relatively short time off lead but the atmosphere was good, with other dogs and families with young children enjoying the good weather.

    Northwich has made a real effort with street decoration and we really warmed to it. The highstreet was busy for a weekday and we enjoyed a round of charity shopping. The Weaver is still essentially locked down with no access to the Shropshire Union Canal or the Trent and Mersey so we knew we'd be back before long.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Anderton Boat Lift seen from the Weaver
    Mooring within sight of the 'Cathedral of the Canals'Single steam engine water pump. The Victorian fire engine.In the middle of the counterweight maze next to a part from an underground inspection tunnel.One of the Victorian illusionsBarnton CircusSteam Punk rally with a stilt circus performerLooking down onto the boat lifts.2On the walking tour of the liftMr Alexander entertaining visitors2At the top of the lift with the gears used to winch the boats up and downOur tour guide Mike next to the old control stationThe vegan 'fish finger' sandwich at the visitor centre was surprisingly tasty!This Common Darter Dragonfly landed on Vicky's hand.Mr Alexander's showOrgan grindersAnother fun illusionSunday morningMr Alexander

    Anderton Boat Lift

    July 25, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Anderton Boat Lift is one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Known as the Cathedral of the Canals it is one of only two working boat lifts in the UK, although it is temporarily out of action while the river gates are fixed. We'd been looking forward to exploring it ever since we began our life afloat and had hoped to take a trip on it with our sister and brother in law Sue and John.

    Built in 1875 to transport boats carrying salt, pottery, coal and other goods between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Weaver 50 feet below, the lift is now 150 years old and a weekend festival was being held to celebrate this significant anniversary. A Victorian theme had been chosen, linking in to the time period when the lift had first begun operation.

    We moored at the visitor pontoon on Friday and Will set out to explore. Exhibitions and information stands were being set up ready for the next day and a BBQ and drinks tent had been layed on for the workers, volunteers, performers and CRT executives that seemed to be having a pre-festival gathering.

    Will was concerned about the 1 day mooring restriction as we really wanted to stay for the whole festival. The pontoon was half empty and given the small number of boats currently active on the Weaver it was unlikely to fill up. He set about asking the people milling around, who directed him to other people milling around. He eventually got to a smart looking person in a purple shirt and name tag. He said he didn't know but that he'd find the regional manager and check it out. It was only once this smart looking person had left that his companions said to Will "you do know who that was don't you?!?". They then informed him that he'd just asked Richard Parry, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Canal and River Trust, to find out whether we could stay a few extra days at some moorings 😂 Give him his due, Richard returned with the Regional Manager who was happy for us to stay for the whole festival and even said we could move to the lift moorings during the day for better access if we wanted! Pleased and a little embarrassed, Will celebrated with a BBQ burger and pint.

    The following morning, music drifted across from the festival ground. We took the dogs on a short walk in the nearby parkland then harnessed them up and headed towards the music. First things first we enqiured at reception about the Lift Walk Tours. They'd all been booked for today but we could book places online for Sunday. They weren't wheelchair accessible so we had a good look at where we'd be going and decided Vicky could rest on the floor during the tour and all the next day if necessary. She really wanted to do it.

    Initially we hadn't been overly excited by the Victorian theme but watching Barnton Circus perform with ribbons, poy, hula hoops and a trapeze soon had us grinning from ear to ear. There were visual illusions for our minds to boggle at and an early coal and steam powered fire engine that would have been pulled by a horse. Old counterweights had been removed from the top of the lift and stacked to create a maze. It was good wholesome fun on a sunny day and we loved it. The food tent provided us with drinks and we tried to keep our hot dog and flapjack away from a persistent Leo and a hopeful Tiger Lilly. Even Leo was getting tired with all the strokes people wanted to give him by the time we returned along the grassy path to Rainboat.

    The following day began with the highly anticipated Lift Tour. Places are rarely available so we were thrilled to get two. Unfortunately the four others on our tour weren't there at the start time. Mike our guide waited a little while, then began without them. They turned up after 10minutes, stayed for the first part of the talk then said they were too scared of heights to go on, so had to be let back out of the enclosure. It was a shame for others who could have taken their place but as a result Mike gave us all of his attention, altering the tour a little to give Vicky the chance to perch on steps and pipes. A former teacher, Mike was an amazing storyteller, conjuring visions of several hundred years ago when the river had been a third of its current width and a local businessman dug down in search of coal and discovered salt instead. Instead of a 50 minute talk, he spent well over an hour telling us about the history of the area, the construction and various versions of the boat lift and how it worked. He listened to our interests and shared his knowledge in these areas. It was brilliant. Although Vicky was tired she was also high on adrenaline when the tour eventually came to an end and we rolled into the visitor centre café for a vegan 'fish finger' sandwich and panini.

    The enthusiastic performer Mr Alexander had been in front of his stage most of the weekend juggling various items and performing little tricks for the kids gathered around on woven carpets. His last scheduled performance was fast approaching so Vicky nipped back in the chair to fetch the dogs and we joined the growing crowd. Here was a person who truly loved to entertain. The smiles on people's faces seemed to fuel his half hour act in which he told humorous tales, unicycled, juggled and made objects disappear and reappear. Children and adults alike were spellbound and it was the best ending to our weekend at Anderton!    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Not many schools have rowing facilties like this!
    2Great to see houses making the most of their riverside position with private pontoons.We love the diversity of boats on larger navigations2A boat from Enville; where Will lived as a child.Larger houses with garden moorings2Abby is enjoying the warm weather and the peaceful places we moorSun setting after our BBQ

    Barnton

    July 23, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    As usual the cruising was easy. We passed through Saltersford Locks and the lockie was happy to see us; they've all been getting bored with the lack of boats. There's only so much grass you can cut and limited other jobs to keep them occupied on shift.

    Mooring was more difficult, we were in need of a shop but the first place we stopped (Winnington Swing Bridge) was open to the adjacent road, noisy and not safe for the furries. We turned back and Will found us a lovely quiet, wide stretch of towpath near Barnton. It was peaceful and had a strip of wildflowers which pressed up against Rainboat's windows when we pulled in. Unfortunately access to the shops was difficult. Will set off on the bike the next day. One public footpath leading off the towpath was too overgrown so he doubled back and found one in the other direction that was slightly more passable. Further on, in contradiction to official council footpath signs, others claimed there was no public right of way. Will eventually reached the store but not liking to be where he wasn't wanted, he tried a different route on the way back, only to find access to the river was blocked. It took some perseverance but he eventually returned to Rainboat in need of a rest.

    We sat out with the dogs that evening and barbecued vegetable skewers to go with the homemade pittas Will had prepared. It was a wonderfully relaxing evening.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Will encountered the first other narrowboat since arriving on the Weaver, moored at Devil's Garden
    A new charge because people had left rubbish, BBQ scorched grass and let dogs scare cattleA train going over Dutton ViaductInteresting bridge where the natural course of the Weaver diverts from the navigationApproaching the water point at Dutton LocksAnother narrowboat; only the second we've seen!It's sad to see wrecks like this1Mooring with a view of Acton Swing BridgeSomeone posted this pic they'd taken on a flight to Ireland. Rainboat is moored at the rainbow!Koftas and spaghetti with meatballsEnjoying the sweet cherry pie 🍒😋

    Acton Bridge

    July 21, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Cruising on the Weaver is a pleasure. It is a wonderful green corridor with occasional industrial interludes and it's wide enough to turn around whenever we want. The current isn't strong so Rainboat's engine doesn't need to strain and mooring is easy. The locks are large and staffed by CRT employees who only ask that we throw them our centre line They then tie to a bollard before doing everything that's needed, while we sit and twiddle our thumbs. Tiger is finding the easy going and open aspects less stressful too.

    Will encountered another narrowboat on a canoe trip yesterday and today we passed another. Two narrowboats in a week! A far cry from any of our waterway travels to date. We discovered on social media that we are effectively trapped on the river, although our plan was already to stay here over the summer. We can't go back because the Shropshire Union canal has drained between Ellesmere Port and Chester due to a breach The Anderton Boat Lift which would take us to the Trent and Mersey is closed due to a problem with its river gates and we can't rejoin the canal system further up the Manchester Ship Canal because low water levels have forced closure at the top end. We are not alone. There are canal closures throughout the UK as a result of drought and breakages.

    We moored at the bollards just before Acton Swing Bridge. There was a short scramble up a steep grass bank onto Dutton Bridleway but this was paved and therefore easy for Vicky's chair and the dogs' short legs. One direction led towards a CRT dredging site and the other towards a small car park with boater bins and water tap. Unfortunately the bins were used by non boaters and overflowing and the tap wasn't working. Will called the CRT to report it and they said they'd get someone out to investigate but it still wasn't working when we left after two nights.

    The towpath took us under the bridge and a small track linked it to the Leigh Arms; an independent pub. It had been refurbished and the thoughtful decor provided interest and relaxation. The food was delicious and Vicky was in the rare situation of being spoilt for choice of vegan options. It was a real treat and we'll definitely revisit if we moor here again.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    Rainboat moored in the distance on the rightHello boys! We casually closed the blinds when this small herd arrived so Leo wouldn't explode!Curious cattleSmall WhiteLoving life on the WeaverThe Danny came by to say helloRed Admiral on Agrimony HempFour Banded Longhorn Beetle on Agrimony HempThe last few minutes of fishing before the storm front blows in

    Blackamoor Wood

    July 17, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We've discovered our paradise and it's on the River Weaver. This waterway has plenty of official moorings but as far as we understand, boaters are allowed to wild moor where the bank is suitable. We were chugging along upstream when Will spotted a linear meadow sandwiched between the water and a mature mixed woodland that climbed a steep bank. He hauled Rainboat into a U turn and floated her gently back downstream until we came to a part of the grassy bank that was just the right height to step out on to.

    After hammering in the mooring pins we scouted out our surroundings. Young Marsh Thistles grew amongst the cow pats and cropped grass at Rainboat's stern. Farther inland flowering thistles were almost drowned out by rampant yellow Ragwort. The air was filled with butterflies, bees, wasps and a plethora of unknown pollinators, along with a few flying insects we knew all too well; horse and deer flies. A farm track ran the length of the land but in the 4 nights we stayed, only a small herd of bullocks and two walkers used it.

    Fields and a couple of distant farm houses occupied the opposite bank, with not a road in sight. It was blissfully peaceful. The track was great for Vicky's chair and the dogs enjoyed not having to wade through long grass or the spiky stalks left after strimming. On walks we spotted loads of Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper and Peacock butterflies as well as a Comma and a Small Blue. Swallows fed their young who were fledged, perched and cheeping in a hawthorn bush and we were each lucky enough to see the two resident Kingfishers flying by.

    Will was in his element, fishing, canoeing and diving into the water from the stern when the days got too hot. We'd have stayed longer but we needed food shopping and to dispose of rubbish. We do however plan to return on our way back down the Weaver.    Read more

  • Vicky 'n' Will's TravelsRainboatVicky 'n' Will's Travels
    The impressive Weston Viaduct
    The locally famous 'Danny' getting some TLCBeautiful steam tug with Weston Viaduct in the backgroundSutton Swing BridgeFeeling summery with a towpath bbqMoored close to Sutton Swing BridgeMoving on

    Stinky Sutton Weaver

    July 16, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The River Weaver navigation is only 20 miles long. We intend to spend the rest of the summer here so we didn't feel the need to travel far and moored at Sutton Weaver, just a short way upstream. We passed under the impressive Weston Viaduct and passed by a beautiful boat called the Danniel Adamson. It was getting some TLC from enthusiastic volunteers who were painting and polishing. 'The Danny' as it is affectionately known is a 1903 steam powered canal tug, designed for towing strings of barges. Today she is under the care of a charity who run themed cruises along the Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal.

    Continuing on and passing under Sutton Swing Bridge we were hit by the most gut wrenching stink. We pulled in at the moorings assuming it would go away but it persisted all evening 🤢 It smelled like rotting flesh or some strange kind of sewage. Will spotted a muck spreader but we don't know if it was coming from this or a farm or factory.

    Vicky finished off her Dad's card and Will went to post it while she rested. He then sat on the stern with his fishing poles. Unfortunately Mr Whiskers has discovered that fish occasionally dangle from the end of these poles and that he likes to eat fish. It is now a battle for Will to safely remove his catch from the hook and return it before Whiskers gets his claws in 😪

    The river flow had picked up a little after rain overnight and the water was clear for a good way down so Will got his homemade rope ladder and went for a cooling swim. Feeling summery, he then got the bbq and made some pittas to go with the vegetable skewers, passing food in to a tired Vicky through the side hatch.

    The smell had gone from the boat when we woke the next morning. Will took the bike to get some shopping but encountered the foul aroma again when he crossed the swing bridge. Concluding that the wind might well change back, we moved on before lunch. It's a shame because otherwise it was a nice mooring within decent distance of shops.    Read more

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