Good morning friends and family.

I won't keep you in suspense any more - yes of course I made it to London and I'm sitting writing to you from my cosy boat, moored in Primrose Hill near Regents Park. Nevertheless, a heartfelt thank you to Chantal who offered to come and get me from a cold dark bridge in Watford!

Last Monday morning and a series of mobile phone calls heralded the arrival of Mamie and Lyndsay Girvan, my practical, straightforward farming friends from the north of Scotland; if anyone could cope with this cold weather it was them. My spirits lifted as I saw them striding down the towpath with smiles on their faces.

The canal was icy and made steering difficult, but the Voyage of Friendship "Duck to Water" prize for the person who picked up narrow boat driving most quickly must go to Lyndsay.

As we got nearer to London, the scenery became less and less rural. We were passing by gas works, several aggregate sites, lots of factories and deserted former factories of firms such as Guinness, Heinz, Lyons and Hoover. However, our guide book suggested that this is the most exciting way to enter the capital, "even the most sceptical, country-loving canal explorer's adrenaline will be pumping by the time they reach Ladbroke Grove". And I have to say that
coming through Maida Vale and Bayswater, through Little Venice and into the Paddington basin was really exhilarating, if only because I was amazed to actually be here.

We found a pretty mooring in Little Venice, took team photographs and patted each other on the back. I said goodbye to Mamie and Lyndsay and called Ewan to let him know that I was at last in London.

Next day I pottered about on my bike, stocked up with food and tidied the boat. At lunchtime a group of teenage boys were gathered outside smoking and I heard someone say "who wants a bike?" I went outside to protect my trusty means of transport and we got chatting. They wanted to know about the boat, if I lived on it, how much it cost, if I had to pay to moor up and for electricity. They said they thought it was a sick way of life (teenage speak for good or great). I let them look in the windows but didn't I invite them on board as I could hear Ewan’s warning ringing in my ears telling me to do no such thing!

On Friday my daughter Jenny visited with my grandchildren Edith and Thomas, along with Ian Tattum, her uncle. It was years since I'd seen Ian and it was lovely to see an old friend again. Together we cruised up through Regents Park, past the zoo and moored up at ​Primrose Hill. We spent a lovely day at the zoo, before going back to Waterloo to put Jenny and two sleepy children on the train home.

I can hardly believe that I made it, but now I'm looking forward to exploring the London canals.

Best wishes,
Sal
X

Every year, lock cills catch boaters unaware, no matter how experienced they are. Once a vessel’s caught on a cill, it causes the rudder to pop out of the cup, which is easily resolved. However in many cases it results in damage to the skeg, rudder and bearings, and the boat needing to be towed and dry-docked to have the damage repaired. There’s also a risk of taking on water and the vessel sinking.

River Canal Rescue chief rescue co-ordinator, Pete Barnett, explains what to do if your boat’s caught on a cill: “Cills protrude below the water, close to the top gates of most canal locks. If you’re travelling downhill in the lock chamber and your stern, ie rudder, gets caught on the cill, when the water recedes only the bow of your boat will lower with the water level, leaving the stern raised up. Sinking or capsizing can happen in seconds.

“If you’re aware the stern’s caught, close the bottom gate paddles to stop the water receding further and slowly open the top gate paddles to refill the lock. To stay safe in the lock, position yourself centrally, and where possible, keep the engine running with a centre line to maintain the position while you tie off.

“A boat travelling uphill can equally get its bow stuck on a projection under the top gate, causing the stern only to rise with the water level. If this happens, close the top gate to prevent the lock filling and open the bottom gate paddles to allow the water level to fall.”

Simple oversights such as being unaware of the position of a lock cill can cause devastating consequences. If the worst does happen, Pete recommends:

“If your boat’s rapidly taking on water, ensure everyone in your crew is safe and contact the Canal & River Trust, they’ll send out a team to assess the site, contain pollution and ensure your boat isn’t causing a navigational hazard.

“If your boat’s on the River Thames you’ll need to contact the Environment Agency as the CRT does not have jurisdiction. In either case, the EA and CRT will work in tandem with recovery specialists to get your boat moved as quickly as possible."

“If you own the boat, you’re responsible for finding someone to raise your vessel, arrange what needs to be done and liaise with the authorities. While you’re free to use your own contractors, if you need to bring plant/lifting equipment onsite or use non-emergency service divers, the contractors will have to meet the CRT’s/EA’s risk management requirements; otherwise they’ll not be given permission to raise the vessel.

“RCR is a CRT pre-authorised salvage specialist which means we can start the salvage straight away. Most insurance companies expect you to take action to mitigate loss in situations like this and a fast recovery reduces the amount of damage a vessel suffers, helping to keep insurance claims low.

“Boaters with insurance must contact their insurer who will ask for a specialist recovery firm to salvage the craft. It’s likely our Canal Contracting team will appear on the scene as we’re authorised to handle claims for most of the UK’s leading boat insurers. Once the boat is raised, the cause of the sinking will need to be identified by an engineer or surveyor before the claim’s accepted.

“RCR can be contacted at any point in the process; it all depends on the urgency. If a vessel’s in the process of sinking then contact RCR first, we can arrange a rescue team within hours in most cases. However if the vessel has already sunk, as long as a recovery is in place within 48hrs, the damage is still manageable and the vessel will be recoverable.”

To find out more about RCR, visit their website or find the team on Facebook, email  or call 01785 785680.

NOW SOLD

Cruiser stern narrowboat Cashflow is currently lying in Kinver, on the Staffs & Worcester canal. The hull is sound, and while the roof and port side have been sanded and prepared for final paint cover, the starboard side, plus the bow and stern, need attention. There has been some water ingress due to rainfall, but the internal timbers seem sound. The Lister engine turns, but has not been started for some time and will need some tlc. The engine may start when applied to a battery, but there is no guarantee. No batteries are currently in place and towing may be required to move the boat to a suitable location. Towage to any UK location is available upon request.

specifications

Make and Model              Severn City Boats
Name                                  Cashflow
Length                                 55 Feet
Beam                                   7 Feet
Year of Manufacture      1979
Engine                                 Lister ST3 (Air Cooled)
Original Outer Skin of 6mm on  Bottom and Sides Over plated 2010

external images

internal images

engine room

Asking price: £12,000 ono.

This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase a cruiser stern narrowboat which you can turn into your dream boat. Viewing is essential.

To arrange a viewing please telephone 07826 118 195.

I'm not sure how this happened, why it happened. But what I do know is: 'I knew as soon as I arrived at the place I was visiting. That this was meant to be, my new Life!

And there were more signs why this was to be, later on into the story. Like I said earlier, why and how this came about was by accident. And this is my story.

February 2021

The start of covid! Life for everyone at this time was difficult in every aspect. A lot of people were unsure about the future, many people needed to escape the lock down that had been forced onto us all. Me being one of them. But I was fortunate to have a job that allowed me to still move about in a much freer way. So, life wasn't as difficult or in some circumstances, as lonely! Like everyone else, you had to just get on with it.

Due to unforeseen circumstances I encountered in the early months of the year, I moved back to my mum's around March/April 2021. Here is her 54yr old son moving back to his mum's, (having left when he was 17!) But that was the way it was going to be.

Fast forward January 2023

Living with my mum has to be 100% priceless. All I had to do was get up (after her telling me to get up for work by banging the kitchen door and turning the hoover on, and other subtle wakeup call hints) then go to work, come home, have my already made evening meal, take my dogs out and go to bed.

Same routine every week. What more could you ask for??????

Well, I'm not sure I had the answer to this! Not until I visited my mate Chrissy Robbo on his narrowboat on his mooring on the Shropshire Union Canal In Cheshire. Although he wasn't there, I was let in by one of the mooring residents after I had explained to them why I wanted to gain access to the mooring! This is because it had a security gate and cctv installed for security and safety reasons. I went onto the mooring and had a walk along looking at the narrowboats and the moorings. Got to Chrissy's mooring and he wasn’t there. So, I had a wander around, fascinated at what I was seeing. To tell you the truth, I was quite envious! I was imagining to myself, wouldn’t this be so relaxing; a perfect way to live; my dogs would be so happy here; it was everything I could imagine would make me happy; would make me feel so at home. In fact, this moment was the start to my new life on a Narrowboat!

The thought hit home after only 20mins of being on these moorings: this could be our new and final destiny! It was quite strange to realise that this could, in reality, become our new home - a home not only for myself, but also for my three dogs: Scruffy 16yrs, Maggie 14yrs and Shadow 5yrs.  As I have always told people in the past,  my 16yr old Patterdale Terrier, Scruffy, should have been raised on a farm, and here we have moorings on an old working farm called Top Farm! Scruffy is the most adventurous and most of all, loveable little fella you have ever met. He loves to be outdoors: whether it's sunny, windy, raining or snowing, he is in his element. We've had so many adventures in our 16yrs together and without doubt there will be many more; memories I'll cherish forever, far too many to list. But without any doubt he will be included in this venture, 100%.

Maybe one day I will write an autobiography, Myself and the Scruff(y)meister's life together!

So, I'd found mine and the dogs' new home. I contacted the mooring's owners and asked if there were any available moorings. Low and behold there was, the last one! Mooring 11!

This was now a venture into a world I knew nothing about!

I don't know whether it is the location, the quality of food and drinks, or the landlord and landlady and their team which make a pub that little bit more special than others. In the case of The Tenth Lock, it is all three factors which make the difference.

location

The location of The Tenth Lock is excellent, being right beside the bottom lock of a flight which runs down from Merry Hill towards the Stourbridge Canal. There are eight locks. Which leads one to question what happened to the Ninth Lock, and why the pub is called the Tenth. The pub has a back garden which overlooks the 7th lock, and the car park opens directly onto the canal, so it is very handy for boaters. There is even a secluded mooring spot just over the lock, enough for two boats, and with a very convenient layby next to it where you can safely park your car if you have one.

wining and dining

The pub is a Marstons pub, so the food is standard fare that you would expect in any of these establishments. We can, however, personally recommend the fish, scampi, Hunters chicken, steak and ale pie (and especially the gravy). The children's menu is good, too - with a choice of larger appetite dishes for those who are almost ready for a full adult portion (but have eyes bigger than their bellies!). Food is served daily from noon.

The bar is a busy one with real ale, good choice of lagers, wines and spirits - anything you might want. If you go there on a Tuesday, you will hit Real Ale night with discounted prices on any real ale on tap.

The locals are very friendly and there is a television area with live sports, plus a darts board. The pub has its own successful darts team (described affectionately as 'the dream team'). Tenth Lock is also popular with card players.

The pub holds charity events, has live music on special occasions, and more frequently, disco cum karaoke evenings. All of these are well attended and very popular with locals and visitors alike.

Children and dogs are welcomed.

the people

The Tenth Lock is run by Nicola Potts, (Nic, the Boss) and supported by a team which are second to none. There is Ruby (Gobby) and Chloe (Silent but Deadly). There is one other person on the team - and that is Patrick, Nicola's fiancé. Patrick is always ready to talk, and he told us how he and Nicola came to be running the Tenth Lock. Patrick says:

"My fianceé Nicola had a dream of one day running her own pub. She dreamed, but never made any move toward bringing this dream to reality. She never had the push she needed. Until one day she actually listened to me, and started to look at a few that were available. Nothing really suited her - until we came to view the Tenth Lock, and it just clicked with her. She knew it was her home, her dream.

"I am her biggest fan, and even now I'm still astonished at how she gains her momentum and stamina. It is her commitment, her passion and her drive to make the pub work, that has made everything happen."

special events

Patrick went on to tell us of their early days in the pub, and about their first official engagement - a charity Duck Race. He said:

"From start to wobbly duck finish, It was hilarious.The kids loved squirting water and throwing bucketfuls at us; we were like drowned rats! But it was all for a good cause, and after it all calmed down we realised it had all been a pleasure. 

Patrick then went on to tell us about a charity walk which started and finished at the pub.

"The walk was for Maya, 3 years old. We didnt know her, but her dad Ray came into the pub one day and asked if Nic would provide a finishing point for the walk, and before he could finish his sentence, both Nic and myself had said yes. It was an honour and a pleasure.

"We started out at 7am, with 29 walkers, locals in the pub, plus sponsors. We raised £10,038! 

Patrick told us that he had pushed Ray's friend Al in a wheelchair for 22 miles, and that it was hard graft but worth it:

"Walking behind the fire brigade with little Maya in her father's arms, smiling after three bouts of chemotherapy - it was well worth all the effort. 28.6 miles for a smile!"

The evening then went on, with Nicola hosting the entertainment, providing food, and overseeing everything with dignity and humility. As Patrick says, the pub is her life. They have never had so many friends, and they love it!

Nicola Potts and her fiancé Patrick offer more than a warm welcome as they invite you in to their home, their dream, their castle! Plus they say that anyone visiting will be welcomed by the very best local people - wonderful people! We can certainly vouch for that!

You can contact Nicola and Patrick on  01384 79041, visit their website , or follow them on Facebook 

Background

To introduce myself, I am a writer and amateur astronomer living in Kendal (as in the Mint Cake, yes…!), up in the Lake District. I have been writing children’s astronomy books since 1988, when my first title – “Journey Into Space”- was published by Viking-Kestrel, with a foreword by famous science fiction author Isaac Asimov. I have now had 12 children’s astronomy reference books published, the most recent of which, “The Solar System – A Ladybird Book”, was published last year by Ladybird. I am probably best known for “A Cat’s Guide to The Night Sky”, which was published by Laurence King in October 2018. Since its publication the book has been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide, has won a major award in Germany (the EMYS children’s non-fiction prize), was long-listed for the 2019 SLA Information Book Award and has been featured and enthusiastically reviewed on many blogs and websites. It is being released in softcover this April, with a national promotional campaign by Hachette.

For the past 25 years I have also been an astronomy and “space” editor/consultant for many publishers. I have edited or acted as a consultant/expert on almost every astronomy- and space-related title published by Usborne Publishing since 1994, including their award-winning “The Story of Astronomy and Space” and “The Astronauts Handbook”, the latter of which was produced in co-operation with the European Space Agency and British astronaut Tim Peake. Most recently I was the consultant/checker on Buster Books’ two very successful astronomy titles written by popular Sky at Night presenter Dr Maddie Alderin Pocock . I also worked with Penguin on fact-checking and revising a new junior version of “Unlocking the Universe”, by Stephen and Lucy Hawking.

When I am not writing or editing astronomy books I am kept busy writing features and articles about astronomy for a number of monthly UK astronomy magazines, such as BBC Sky at Night Magazine and All About Space, and I post a lot of online astronomical content on social media too. My Facebook page is full of pictures of Mars – and my cat – and I have over 10,000 Twitter Followers, who enjoy looking at the images I take of the night sky and the NASA images of Mars that I process: recently one of the images of Mars I processed was viewed over 130,000 times on Twitter!

So why am I author of the season for CanalsOnline Magazine?

I have to be honest and tell you that I have never been on a boating holiday, so I am not qualified to talk about boats, sailing or other aspects of a boating holiday. However, I am a very enthusiastic camper and caravanner and I am aware of many similarities between the two pastimes - holidays away from home, surroundings changing regularly, sometimes daily, time spent in remote and dark locations...

My partner and I regularly take off in our caravan or tent to enjoy short breaks out in the countryside, and several times a year go up to Kielder in our caravan to attend “star parties” at the beautiful Kielder Campsite. These are organised events where amateur astronomers get together to enjoy looking at the night sky, and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with others.

But every time we go on holiday just by ourselves in our tent or caravan I end up holding informal stargazing sessions for our neighbours, and without fail they love learning how to find the stars and constellations they have heard about so many times.

I know from talking to friends who do enjoy canal holidays that at the end of a busy day of sightseeing or other activities many of them usually “call it a day” and either head down to the nearest pub or go inside as darkness falls. But that is such a waste! Many boaters will be totally unaware that if they stayed outside, especially if they were moored at a dark sky location, away from lights, they would be able to see some of the wonders of the universe, without the need for a telescope or even a pair of binoculars.

Although many canal routes across – and beyond – the UK pass through heavily light-polluted areas, others pass through “dark sky” regions, making them ideally placed for stargazing. It’s a great shame that many holiday boaters will pack up and go home totally unaware that they missed out on an amazing experience during their holiday – exploring a beautiful starry sky. My dream is to take the place of a friendly amateur astronomer and lead boaters, whether they live on a boat, take regular boating holidays, or perhaps a 'just once in a lifetime' boating holiday. I would like to take them somewhere dard, introduce them to the starts, constellations and planets they can see. Or it would just sit with them, out on deck, and point out some of the amazing things they can see – if they just take the time to look.

a cat's guide to the night sky

With beautiful illustrations created by one of the UK’s most popular and accomplished artists, Brendan Kearney, “A Cat’s Guide To The Night Sky” was published by Laurence King in October 2018, and is a guide to the night sky and getting started in amateur astronomy with a unique twist: the book’s main character is a starry-eyed, stargazing cat called Felicity!

“A Cat’s Guide To The Night Sky” was inspired during a trip to the Kielder Starcamp (”star camps” are special camping events, where amateur astronomers get together at a remote site to enjoy observing and photographing a night sky unspoiled by light pollution) in late 2016, when I briefly took my cat, Peggy – a rescue cat who had a very hard life before being adopted by my partner, Stella – outside to allow Stella to tidy their folding camper without interruption.

Whilst holding Peggy I noticed she was looking at the night sky, eyes darting from constellation to constellation. A classic “light bulb moment” followed: I wondered if cats were as fascinated by the night sky as humans? After all, they were often out all night, and from the tops of trees and tall buildings, often in very dark places, they would have a grandstand view of the night sky…

This idea became “A Cat’s Guide To The Night Sky”, a richly-illustrated, fun guide to the night sky, which explains to young readers how to identify stars, planets and constellations. There are star charts for each season, as well as advice on how to see the phases of the Moon, meteor showers and even the northern lights.

The book’s guide is a fun, starry-eyed stargazing cat called Felicity. She is seen on every page, observing the stars and leaping across the night sky, and was, of course, inspired by and is a tribute to Peggy, who accompanied Stella and I on many astronomy expeditions before she died in 2017. In the book, Felicity strongly resembles Peggy – but with one striking and touching difference: Felicity has a tail, whereas Peggy’s tail was cut off when she was young.

The book is also a tribute to another cat – Félicette. Most people are familiar with the story of Laika, the first dog in space, but few know that in 1963 a French stray cat called Félicette became the first cat to go into space, so I decided to name the book’s narrator in her honour.

Stuart Atkinson is a prolific writer of books on Astronomy, and has written many reference books and fictional books for children. His books are of relevance to anyone with an interest in the universe or in learning more about the night sky.

Stuart's books are available to buy from Amazon or from good book shops. You can contact him by email or you can find out more by visiting his website

Hello again family and friends.

When I was a small person in a village primary school, my class was told that the area where we lived in North Bucks was to be built into a new and very modern city called Milton Keynes. We were given a chance to draw what we thought it would be like and I remember that my contribution was a design for a multi-story cow shed! Now here I am, 50 years later, moored up in my narrow boat to visit my family who still live in what became the city of Milton Keynes.

My daughter Jane was still with me for most of the week, STILL on Christmas hols from university and enjoying with me a great time visiting my dad and brothers, eating lots of home cooked food and having them visit the boat along with nieces and a nephew.

Daughter, Jenny with her husband and little Edith and Thomas also visited for a family "fish and chips" evening. These are wonderful relaxing times.

I've really enjoyed exploring this city which is built around big parks and nature reserves, cycleways and footpaths. Bunty has had a week's intensive training on a lead and socialising with other dogs, and we've visited all kinds of brilliant art installations and sculptures, such as concrete cows, giant dinosaurs and a peace pagoda- its very different from other cities, but there's no multi-story cow shed!

I've spent time alone here too, which has given me my first taste of living aboard and not travelling. I feel that I'm part of the canal community as fellow boaters are always chatty and ready to help each other. It’s been a cold week with Therapy being iced in for part of the week, but today Ewan visited and we moved her like Titanic through the icebergs to Simpson.

Philippa, a close friend from school is my next crewmember and although she now lives in the Channel Islands, her family home is beside the canal in Simpson. It was with joy that we hugged each other on the towpath outside her mum's house- I know that we will have fun this week.

Thank you for lots of encouraging messages,
Love and warm wishes to all,
Sally
X

Hello friends and family.

I hope everyone is keeping safe and warm in this bad weather; I am currently moored up in the city of Milton Keynes with my daughter who is still on holiday from Glasgow university. I have family in these parts and will be staying here until 26th January. The weather has been windy and tends to blow the boat about a bit but the days are predominantly sunny and the world looks bright from the canal where people are so friendly and helpful.

I had a night alone in Braunston, a place that has a bright holiday feel about it, even in winter. Ally arrived early next day with her husband Nigel who is a shepherd friend of Ewan's. I couldn't ask for more as Ally took my washing and lent me her husband for 2 days.

We took off down the Braunston flight of locks, Nigel driving and me at the windlass working the locks. It was with great relief that I looked back at them knowing that the closure next day would not bar my way. The next exciting event was Braunston tunnel, over a mile long and very dark. We turned off the boats front light somewhere in the middle to find ourselves in complete blackness. It was quite amazing. We reminded ourselves with incredulity that this tunnel was built in days gone by when workmen had no diggers and bulldozers.

As we moored up that evening we met James who was taking his unusual concrete boat through the locks alone- quite a feat. We agreed to meet him next morning and undertake the next flight together to share the workload as well as save water. James had been in the navy and still had the urge to be on water rather than land.

The lovely Nigel treated me to supper in a canal side pub and Bunty had her first taste of being "home alone" which she managed fine.

Next morning we met James again and together we systematically got both boats through the next flight of 7 locks. The weather was deteriorating and was probably the worst day I'd had so far. But Nigel drove on manfully all the way to Gayton. the most northerly place on my journey and a third of the distance covered. I'm making great progress. Ally collected Nigel that evening and returned my lovely clean laundry. Many thanks to Nigel and Ally for all their help.

Next morning my brother Bob cycled up to join me for the next stretch, including Blisworth tunnel, over 2 miles long and one of the longest in the country. Bob was a little apprehensive to start with but quickly got used to driving Therapy. Again we were amazed at the engineering feat that was this tunnel, and remembered respectfully those who my guidebook told me died in the building of it, and the "leggers" who apparently pushed boats through the tunnel by lying on their backs on the roofs and walking them through. We also chatted about the ghosts of these people that are doubtless still there- or was that just brother and sister winding each
other up in the dark!

Bob had not been aboard a narrow boat before and this evening learned locks. We negotiated the first 2 at Stoke Bruerne before mooring up and going to the pub for supper. Next day we went through the last few of the flight, Bob cycled back for his car and then drove me to Milton Keynes railway station to pick up my daughter Jane. Bob took us back to the boat and took his
leave. He was delighted to have been aboard and said he loved the tunnel experience.

Jane and I continued on to Yardley Gobion where we did the boating chores (filled up with diesel, gas and water) then moored up carefully in a sheltered spot as Ewan had called to say that a storm was brewing tonight.

We were both woken by the wind blowing during the night but the moorings held and the next day was bright and sunny as we approached the big city of Milton Keynes. We travelled across a very exciting aqueduct over a river and then over a big motorway. We were now in an urban area and decided to moor up early to replenish our fridge.

I'm expecting my husband Ewan to visit tomorrow and then various family members over the next week or so; adventures on board will probably be limited, but I will resume my traveller’s tale when I cast off again towards London.

Warm wishes to all
Sally
Xx

I live aboard our historic narrow boat Trout, built in 1936, with my husband Lloyd (aka Bacon Boy!!) Lloyd has been around narrow boats most of his life; he started at 14 helping steer the horse drawn narrow boat Iona in Godalming Surrey.

In 2005 Lloyd convinced me to take a narrow boat holiday for a week and just like that, I was hooked: the peace, the nature, being in the middle of nowhere. I loved it! And the people were all amazing, especially after I had been working in a stressful environment!

Every year we would take a holiday on a boat somewhere in England, until we got to the point and decided to buy our own boat, with a view to retiring in a few years time to live aboard.

However life took a different turn, when we lost 4 friends to different illnesses and realised life's too short. So within 3 months, we had sold our house, left our jobs and moved onto our boat!! The first few years were amazing, travelling to places/villages I never knew existed, meeting some lovely people. At some point we realised in order to maintain this life, we needed to go back to work, which would be challenging. How would we manage moving the boats and travelling to work....

Then Covid hit, which meant we couldn't work. During this time, more people started walking the canals and we realised there were very few places on the canal to grab a coffee and cake. The seed was planted.

After the first lock-down in June 2020, we started looking for another boat and with the help of friends, Norah was purchased!! Norah is an Historic LMS station boat built in 1930.

Lloyd and I worked hard to get her fitted out and looking the part; she needed a lot of work!! But, in March 2021, she was ready!!

And so, Daisy's Bakin Butty was born!! the name comes from; my name, Steve Wright's radio 2 show “Only Jokin” (No G) and the fact that Norah was a Butty.

Our first opening day was the 12th March in Braunston on the Grand Union: the cakes were baked, the coffee machine was on, the flaps were open... The worry was, would anyone come? But come they did, and by the end of the first weekend we knew we were onto a winner.

Since then we have travelled from village to village opening up at weekends. During the summer we open much more, meeting some lovely people. We have customers that have visited us nearly every weekend since we opened; we call them our “Cake Stalkers”. In fact, if you visit more than 4 times, you will become a Cake Stalker!!

In 2022 we attended two  festivals and although it was hard work, we had a great time!

The past two years have been amazing, we get to keep the lifestyle, whilst earning money to get by. Believe me, we are never going to be rich!! But we get to meet some lovely people, so life is good!!

Daisy Hampshire and her partner Lloyd have only been roving canal traders since 2021, although they have a long association with boats and the waterway system. They live on board historic narrowboat Trout, with accompanying butty Norah. Their pop up cafe is open every weekend, and longer in summertime.

You can contact them by email: or follow them on Facebook or Instagram