Bartimaeus

  Some blasts from the past and blasts from outside, in a ruddy, rude and wild week in Scotland.

I've always had a butterfly brain, but is it getting worse and is my body falling apart too?

Despite the icy weather, I take a short cruise.

Seeing things differently and seeing different things in the new year.

Making the best of dull days and appreciating being in the pink.

Working together and making it work.

Excitement and electricity leads up to Christmas.

Disaster is especially unwelcome at this time of year.

Petits panics, beauties to behold and a tight squeeze.

Happy holidays and horrifying holocaust are all part of the human experience.

We get a good view of the mountain.

High speed trains and haute cuisine.

The weather keeps changing - but remains cold.

We head south for our traditional winter break.

An up north friend comes up town with me.

Paintwork needs to be renewed to protect what is underneath.

A mild autumn spell lures me out of the house to enjoy the colours.

The damp start to November brightens as the day goes on.

A funny little mixed season experience.

Frantic finishing and fond farewells.

Running out of time in an unreal couple of days.

We get up earlier than usual.

A feast for the eyes at Hanbury Hall.

Bartimaeus is lifted to another level.

We stay close to our destination for the week.

Shane goes a step beyond what I would consider safe.

Trains, boats, bikes and keeping warm in Autumn.

We move to somewhere new.

Heather has reached Droitwich from the Severn, from both sides now.

Having Heather with us brightens days with dull weather.

In which we travel north up there where this water has come from, but by some different water and not by this water.

We hope Heather enjoys a lively varied time and gets enough sleep.

The gruelling history of Worcester explored.

From the calm of the Avon we contemplate the Severn.

We see lots of comings and goings.

A battle, a book writer, Moore, an abbey, a bore and much more - childhood memories at Tewkesbury.

We look for interesting things in Tewkesbury.

Keeping busy, sitting out the storm and trying not to get stuck in deep water.

We are almost at the end of the River Avon.

We take heed of yellow warnings.

Honouring past beasts, passing beasts and a beastly rock.

Fluttering, flags and flattery

Our moorings continue to have different characters.

We have contrasting experiences at consecutive moorings.

Past the equinox and there is more dark than light, but the days and the water are very bright.

Weird and wonderful creatures: deep bass and high notes accompany each other.

Getting to the other side of the river is easy in Evesham.

Getting from one side of the Avon to the other is tricky.

"Who will buy this wonderful morning? Such a sky, I never did see!"

We improve Bartimaeus in preparation for a sale.

Another blue sky day to look up.

We are travelling slowly downstream, but pausing and looking up.

We go with the flow, but slow down to only one lock each day - if that.

The river has a different character.

All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.

We eventually take a boat on the River Avon at Stratford.

It is a tight fit along the Stratford canal and we meet some trying times, but all's well that ends well.

The first thing we see in Stratford is Little Women.

We cover old tracks, repeat a cycle ride and go back in time.

We watch out for sharp showers.

Planning ahead is one of Shane's skills.

We find some new things more than once.

A wild life in the city and country wildlife, both have their attractions 

It is good to have people to do things together to share the joy, not just the work.

Nearly time to say 'Goodbye' to Gdansk, and up, up we go.

We return to some of the rain we've been waiting for.

Making memories and looking into the past.

Scots and Poles have a history of friendly relationships.

Living the Polish high life: fine food, art, jewels, churches, music and solidarity with the workers.

My trip to Edinburgh is dominated by cycling and cycling friends.

Adventures in Scotland and beyond, a colourful time in mixed weathers.

Bryn, Shane and I are heading to Edinburgh but don't want to be just on the train all day, so seek some diversion.

There are more things to see on the canal than locks, and some creative cooking, to conclude Bryn's visit.

We now have a chance to be where we planned to be.

We make it to the top of the "Stairway to Heaven".

Canal and River Trust under-promise and over-deliver.

We have a lot of locks to get through, but will we manage in time?

Nothing goes quite as expected on my latest visit

A shortage of water isn't our only problem.

Signs of life, danger and death 

Our cruising options continue to shrink.

We were looking forward to Bryn coming and the signs were we would have a good time.

Risk reduction is on our minds.

Being in the water is a mixed blessing.

Play doesn't stop when you grow up.

Sometimes the littlest things are a delight.

We return to the Bosworth field for a series of unconnected events.

What "the end" means needs to be justified.

Unexpected developments and discoveries are part of the fun.

Sometimes a small fix can make a big improvement.

We travel very slowly along the Ashby Canal.

Babies are hard to resist and I love to see them learn. It isn't just the young who need to learn from their mistakes either.

How much is too much?

What's got us in a spin now?

Home is where the heart is.

Not everything is what they appear to be, nor where they appear to be and some hide.

We all need to eat and watching feeding is also fun.

We return to the Ashby Canal, this time planning to do it properly - slowly.

The canal is crowded for a short while.

An electric time with friends old and new.

Everyone is welcome in Coventry though we have somewhere else to be so we move on.

We're pleased when more unexpected visitors pop in.

No locks on offer but we seemed to have nailed it in offering Nye a good time.

Short and very-short notice visitors liven up our days.

We set off for Coventry after an impromptu visit to show off the highlights of the city to Nye.

A love of nature greatly enhances our life.

I visit Bartimaeus, not for my first time but for my first stay!

The wedding may be over but there is further cause for celebration.

We celebrate on the Fourth of July.

Fresh from one wedding, we head to another - far from a repeat it was a fresh new experience.

Flowers, fruits, flavours, and a fixed date in Edinburgh.

There is pleasure for all the senses. 

Finding some shade becomes important.

Being in control isn't easy, the real trick is to make it look easy.

The sun keeps beating down on us.

Try to focus on the roses among the thorns.

We move along the canal a little more quietly than usual.

The waterfowl have feet to be proud of, the bigger the better.

Roses abound in June, symbols of war and peace.

Back in Burton, there's a catch.

We're back on the River Trent again.

We are reminded of heroism and tough times.

Plenty of things around to appreciate and consider.

Even when babies get big, parents are watchful. We enjoy travelling with Bryn and think of Nye a bit too.

The son is back, and the rain is here.

We start to make a new connection on the map.

We have a quiet day along the Shropshire Union canal and get to a junction, then have some problems.

We are looking out for young life and others look out for us.

We get good advice, and still manage to miss things.

Water levels and other boats affect where we go.

We eventually get somewhere we've not managed to reach before.

We see some old shapes and new shapes.

I have a couple of early starts and a flight.

After a few sunny days in Edinburgh, beware of the haar.

Sun seeking in Scotland and having the right clothes.

We have a jaunt away and step it out in our party shoes.

 Fluffy animals and fearsome locks are the sugar and spice of canal life.

We see some new variations on things we've seen before.

We make good progress going with the flow from Llangollen.

There are some weird and wonderful creatures out there.

We like to keep being curious and looking up as well as around us. You never know what's up there.

We explore further along the Montgomery Canal.

We meet lots of young animals, and the occasional grown up.

We go looking for the other navigable limit of the Montgomery Canal.

We take a day trip away from Monty and see the Dingle.

With the weather warmer, it's a sin not to get out and enjoy it.

We were told that cruising on the Montgomery Canal can be slow.

We remember to take a look at local attractions and speak to those who live here.

We satisfy a desire and go back to the woods.

We plan around a day forecast to be wet.

We like wandering around, but sometimes there is nowhere to turn.

Who knows what will endure.

I'm a bridge fan, I can't resist a closer look.

All good things must come to an end.

We take boating to the extreme today.

We are tourists in Llangollen looking to see what there is to see around the Dee.

Many people ask us about the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - though rarely by name.

Rain is threatening but we stay high and dry.

We keep to some traditions for the bank holiday.

Bartimaeus has stayed still for a bit while all my other boys have been busy.

We leave the boat behind, walking to dizzying heights.

It is slow going against the flow.

We walk to another country to reconnoitre before taking Bartimaeus.     

 You can try praying and leaving your fate in someone else's hands, or blame others when things go wrong, but sometimes you have to take responsibility.

Heading out of town we find old and new in thoroughly rural surroundings.

Updates to technology may involve doing things the old way.

Home has been moving country and it has been very green, wherever we have been.

Getting your ducks in a row sometimes involves crossing a line.

We cruise in bright, but cold, weather and see signs of the new season.

A productive day with some taste sensations and some heat.

A day with a lot of reminders to watch out for yourself and others.

Your mother looks after you, the best she knows how. Mothers can know a lot, but not everything.

What a difference an hour or a day can make.

Life on the canal is weather and water dependent. We watch all the liquid levels inside and out.

Things aren’t as bright as they usually are.

With no deadlines we take our time and take a trip through time.

We concentrate on what is important.

Getting back to Chester and meeting Christine for the first time since I retired.

Things keep not going the way we expect.

A mainly inside day seeing changes through the ages in boats and boaters’ lives.

We rejoice in getting the tandem out and a surprise Prior engagement.

Long term damage finally gets repaired.

Enjoying a peaceful time away from the city.

I feel stretched out one day then set out to stretch myself all around the town.

Living the roaming life and finding Roman relics.

We tidy up a few things ready for my day trip to the dentist.

Going back on ourselves with some concerns, but things are still looking good.

An unusual light display causes some concern.

Shane gets a new look in the Spring

We return to the water again for another season.

Decisions and drama

Nearing the end of the Edinburgh stay with soothing and stimulating days.

St David isn’t the only saintly creature I encounter in the first week of March. The world is full of kindness.

The pull of the water on a sunny day and a new lunch recommendation.

Room for another, Mary comes along and joins us

I head into Princes street for some culture.

Orange is all the rage.

There is more to see in Dundee. This V&A exhibition is worth going round again.

We find out when a life, well lived, ended, and new life springs forth.

Steep slopes and high winds make for precarious living.

We celebrate the birth of a bard in stormy circumstances.

Going with the wind is sometimes the best option.

In the darkest days, light matters.

We have a visitor and it’s great to see her, but we are definitely not the only ones she has come to see.

Flexible walking choices, with surprises to admire and avoid.

Do you want to eat shark or climb down a ladder to meet sharks?

The year starts with a cold spell and some surprises.

A January jaunt beckons, and free for me.

Tentative steps out into the new year, keeping it low key and local, but keep looking up and forward too.

New Year fireworks are cancelled, but there’s an excellent replacement.

Finding my way through the days before Hogmanay.

Finer Scottish stitches than I could hope to produce, on show.

We have plenty to feel fortunate about this festive season.

Festivities are almost upon us and I feel surprisingly calm.

My next destination is in the country with my sister Mary.

Different arts in different airts

Bryn comes along, a fun guy to be with, and I come along to the station in early sun.

Out and about or inside there are other lives to see living nearby.

Full sun and fish in Fife.

An empty boat needs to be kept from freezing.

We enjoy brilliant sunshine on our seaside trip.

A day for shining sea and warm clothes.

Temperatures are dropping in Edinburgh and beyond, and we are planning another journey.

Things don’t seem to be happening at the expected pace.

Bartimaeus left behind …. In between what I find is pleasing and I’m feeling fine.

The geese are on the move and so are we.

Keeping warm wrapped up and locking as November gets cooler.

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things adding colour to our lives.

Things are looking up – the arrival of Bryn and satisfying locking makes a grey day gratifying.

We make good time despite grey conditions.

Looking for what we want … we don’t always get what we were looking for.

We look at a potential obstruction ahead of us.

Some technology still works after over a hundred years.

Twists and turns in Macclesfield and beyond.

Delays to trains don’t overshadow good news.

A ghostly light is shining tonight.

The last Tuesday in October is both grey and colourful.

Different kinds of dark and blackness seem to be cropping up as we approach the end of summer time.

We come back to the same spot after gaining a lot of height.

We return to Marple after nearly three years. The going was very slow but we see some super furry animals.

There is a slight delay on the flight, but nothing we can’t rise above.

We have a lock free day today with warm sun, apart from going under all those arches.

Careful how you go, now and then.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal continues to spring surprises right to the end.

Autumn leaves are above below and along the boat today.

The locks and the leaves are coming down.

We’ll have to keep going down to get the batteries up.

We scramble to the Standedge Tunnel, longest open canal tunnel in the world and have a few rocky times.

After a rude awakening, we have a good journey, but it can only be downhill after this.

We find things to do during an enforced stop.

The temperature drops and we have a cool time in Marsden.

We do like to see animals on our travels, though some are more pleasant to encounter than others.

If you don’t like locks, you don’t like narrowboating, and you really won’t like the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

There are abrupt changes in the Huddersfield canal.

Locks in strange places seems to be a feature on this canal.

We navigate a short canal with more than its share of surprises.

The approach to Huddersfield is hard work and at times discouraging.

We continue to keep up to our schedule, and avoid the worst of the weather.

After more than three years aboard we come across mechanisms unlike any we’ve seen before.

The sun is doing a great job of lighting up our lives, though there are signs of autumn all around.

We travel in the sunshine towards uncertainty.

Avoiding being caught in a flood can be as easy as doing nothing.

Crossing the border to Berwick-upon-Tweed, a town that has swapped between Scotland and England many times, like us.

Blue skies, autumn sunshine and eye testing in Edinburgh.

Making hats on the move and moving homes are all part of life on the water.

We’ve got in to the swing of the tidal waters.

We spend a few days getting various things repaired.

Little places have some strange attractions.

Going down the river is unexpectedly slow.

Standing tall in Boroughbridge

We observe local traditions.

Testing little locks for size in Ripon and finding more unusual little boxes there.

We’ve gone as far as we can again.

Anxiety and water rise together.

Jude takes a bad day and makes it better! Making the most of a wet Sunday in York.

New York old York, young son and old son.

Going upstream is less effort when you go with the tide.

Are we crazy to try the tidal Ouse?

The weather becomes dull but emergency situations can be around any dull corner.

We saddle up and join some heavy horses and some cutting edge skills

Some days with more water than we need.

We have some trouble and worrying sights and sounds.

We sit up when we get some unexpected news.

We are drawn back to the bright lights of Doncaster.

We try some of South Yorkshire’s temptations.

We return to the pretty countryside around Doncaster.

We revisit happy memories from decades ago and go round a real mulberry bush.

Wheels and wheezes in Sheffield

Sheffield has a tricky ascent but help is at hand.

Heading up the River Don is the next big thing.

We navigate a quiet river in which monsters lurk.

Taking it to the bridge, on repeat.

Tide, trains and rail bridges wait for no man.

We find pleasure in delays.

I observe the canal’s other residents ducking and diving, horsing around, swanning about, and pigging out.

Floating and flying are what dreams are made of.

Bryn joins us for the ups and downs of life.

Staying in the same place is the only option some days.

Some sweet treats to discover along the way.

The departed are gone, and we look for other distractions.

Celebrate good times! Come on!

More Scottish guests, for a longer visit and taking pleasure in little things.

We can’t go far in either direction but find ourselves somewhere unexpected.

Many colours aound, but one seemed to be taking over.

Despite slow progress, we don’t hang around.

Sometimes things take a long time to happen.

Back to narrower water and self operated locks. We’ll stay here for a while and socialise.

Travelling the tidal Trent, just the two of us.

Lots of driving and lots of things to see flying past.

We need to get our mileage up just as the temperature goes up too.

Mud and weeds stop play.

We’ve navigated canals, river and estuaries before. Now for something new.

We reach the end of our navigation and discover more about people who sailed much further from home.

Dungeons and dragons and death sentences at Lincoln castle

We seek out some strangeness; sameness is boring.

We get an up-to-date view of Lincoln.

The River Trent requires respect.

We head down to the tidal Trent, and survive a bit of a splash.

Tumultuous times and tragedy in Newark.

A new government, a new town, Newark.

Emptying and filling have become the important things.

Some days are a bit rubbish.

Some unusual tiller movements resolve a problem.

The sun brings out the summer styles.

Getting bugs out requires specialist knowledge and tools.

There are many ways to say hello.

The weather isn’t the only thing that is brightening up.

In the heart of England we have a touch of exotica.

We seem to be in the wrong place and getting bumped.

Some things have been around a very long time.

Robin Hood isn’t the only one that shoots straight.

Better late than never, weather starts to improve and we enjoy late light.

Travelling on the big river has its hazards.

Nice weather for ducks or frogs.

It is necessary to go back to find the bears.

I start the day concerned about what is ahead of us.

Beauty, bells, books and beasts abound.

We like to look at things as we pass by but beware – sometimes amazing things can be dangerous.

We see evidence of past floods and flood protection.

Ladies work locks as well as cake baking and knitting.

A different view of something familiar can be a surprise.

Leicester is famously where Richard the Third’s skeleton was found. His reign and our friends’ holidays ended here.

In which of two strings previously attached, one is detached.

Close encounters with cattle and with Heather’s folks.

Occasional shuffling is needed especially when visitors are arriving.

Today had some level changes we expected and some we didn’t.

It’s not that we have no worries at all, but it’s best not to dwell on them, and compared to others, our life is trouble free.Hakuna Matata!

Crick show is past but it takes a long time for all the boats to leave so there’s lots of standing around.

A lot of small things can make a big difference.

Other people help us and we try to help when we can.

Some days are more uplifting than others.

Sometimes plans take a long time to hatch.

I am reunited with family, old friends, old colleagues, and old haunts.

Very big birds and very small birds and all sizes in between, to look at inside and out.

Greyness predominates but there are splashes of colour throughout the day.

By the end of the day we know more than we did at the start.

Some things have been bugging Shane lately and he gets stuck in to sorting them out.

Time for a quiet day.

The weather is at last hot and dry enough for some delayed actions.

The weather isn’t the only thing that needs perking up.

May is blooming marvellous.

We learn about some very sophisticated electrical technology, and also go back to the basics.

We’ve a booking ahead to get to, but our batteries start to demand attention.

Spring flowers are going, the cherry blossom is going and I’ve gone.

Sometimes things just come off in your hand.

We hit cherry blossom time and wind up the universe.

Shane made a snap decision and we revisit footwear.

Loving the changing scenes around us, and just have to keep moving on.

Something spurred me on to do a job that has needed doing for over a year.

We take our time to find our way with Old Tom and follow in the footsteps of old mares round Cosgrove.

If it worked well before it might be worth a repeat visit.

Several little surprises along the way and some small things taking big risks.

There is no B in THE NORTHAMPTON ARM.

It’s all go for Bartimaeus, after a static few days.

It is well worth keeping your eye on the weather as we have a dramatic experience.

We enjoy a bit of eccentricity, but you won’t catch me in these shoes.

Unusual things float by what we thought was a quiet mooring.

Shane enjoys the company of a poet and we decide Northampton is not a load of old cobblers.

Heading down an arm, Shane keeps on his toes, shouldering the heavy work, while I save my knee.

Even when we are not on the canal we found ourselves going back unusually often.

Life cycles and seasonal changes abound on Easter weekend.

We meet a few fantastic things in Weedon.

No market square, but squares and new markets aplenty in Weedon Bec.

Is it the right time to write the time?

Our thoughts are turned to war, and peace.

One adventure finishes but another is always just about to begin.

Another day with a string of small surprises.

We decide if a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing twice.

Short and stroppy is the order of the day.

We take action after hearing an alarm.

Shane spots a place to relax

A mellow March day with a splash colour.

Our route north is thoroughly blocked.

Put your hands together for the workers in Rugby.

We find water in places it shouldn’t be and add some where it should be.

Simple pleasures can be rich treasures.

Getting peckish and getting more than I’d bargained for.

The advance of Spring marches on.

Making life better with batter, buses, bracing beaches, the Bass rock and blossoms.

I cover some “lang Scots miles” and get “fou’ and unco happy”!

We try a new activity in familiar territory and I follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo.

Crisp winter days are beautiful if you are warmly enough dressed.

A year ends. I think we have made the most of it and hope the next will be as good.

Though we are on land, there is a lot of water to be seen.

Different boats feature in our trip to Edinburgh.

A last look at Eindhoven and we return to places we have been before.

Exploring further afield, Eindhoven gets a Glowing review.

We prepare to leave Bartimaeus for the rest of the year.

The time for Bryn to leave us approaches and we approach leaving too.

I do some extra planning to make sure we stay warm every night.

Shane has a hot plan to spice up our lives.

Things go (mostly) smoothly as I take the helm.

Lot’s of problems – could this be the end of our adventure?

A wet day with a bit of slippage.

A cold welcome and cold feet as I return to Bartimaeus.

We prepare to meet a new guest aboard but it isn’t all going to plan.

You never know what is round the next corner.

We reach an unnavigable section of canal.

Heather’s time with us draws to a close but there are surprises ahead.

We’ve driven in bad weather before.

Canal life can be beset with problems but our dream team can overcome!

There are some rat traps and we get caught! Some days are a bit rubbish!

A day spent resolving unexpected problems.

We contemplate muddy water

We take a diversion from the main line but don’t escape the rat race.

The Angel is busy: we meet with a heavenly host of friends, relatives and an elf.

We host a number of guests for day trips in London.

From coast to canal we are in close contact with lifeboats

We come back to the boat and need to work out where to go next.

A change of water; seaspray and pastels to enliven the senses.

Sunny Stort in unseasonally warm Autumn.

Things are a little awkward at a long planned rendezvous.

We make an extra visit to Edinburgh for a few days and I learn a little about garden plants.

We find getting to the bank in the middle of the city is sometimes tricky.

We explore the streets of London and visitors arrive like buses.

We have an adventurous drive with an angelic ending in a heavenly spot.

We go under many bridges and over a few too as we head Londonwards.

We get up early and set off on the high tide.

Most of our time is very tranquil, but occasionally there is cause for alarm.

We make it to Maidenhead where I am tempted to try something for the very first time.

Time for an adventure by train without Shane. Bon courage! Chacun à son goût.

I move to get in and then out of the sun.

Backtracking we meet new people and ones we have seen before but get to know them better.

We explore two different machines on consecutive days.

We seem to be moving in a lot of different circles these days.

We cycle from the Avon to the Kennet in search of ancient stones.

We make surprise purchases : pickled quails eggs anyone?

When covering old ground there is plenty new to see and even signposted, can be a surprise.

We find a peaceful spot at the end of a gentle day.

We leave Bristol to return to Bath and meet people with troubles along the way. We can try to help, but we can’t solve them all.

We get to the capital of “The West Country”.

Old colleagues picking up threads after many years in a new place and time.

We’ve had enough Bath time for now.

Water is best and Bath brought us Joy.

Sun, friends and the right tools for the job are all key to keeping canal life enjoyable.

There were thirty three things getting us down today, but we enjoyed it all the same.

Wide fit, feeling fit, tight fit, neat fit.

Two days when the water was in the wrong place.

We explore more new canal and find some unusual combinations.

A weekend with celebration, horses, hitching and unhitched.

We appreciate the help given through the highs and lows of life and locks.

Although we are on waters we have been on before we are still seeing new things.

From a shipwreck story to hundreds of people in the water. Nobody drowned so we’ll drink to that!

Not all of nature is lovable and neither the loved or unloved lasts forever.

We meet all manner of people and vessels on the river and help each other out.

Flags, more red admirals and toasting. Up the swans!

We share the river with an ancient royal tradition.

Our last few days on the Wey and lots of wildlife on the way.

It is a whole new experience coming the other way on the two way Wey.

It’s two years to the day since we first started living on Bartimaeus.

We reach the southernmost navigation and tick things off our list.

We have visited more eras than miles in the past few days.

The sun isn’t the only thing that is hot on the River Wey.

We spend our time wisely in Wisley.

Windsor to Wey in the wind and a change of windlass.

We keep seeing the same boats during a long day’s driving.

A rubbish start to the day and a good ending.

A damp day brightened by good news and seeing some of our favourite birds.

Return to Reading Abbey for a second time to appreciate history and the arts.