Dear Readers,

Welcome to the Spring Edition of CanalsOnline Magazine.  We have a wealth of new articles for you this season - our thanks to those who have set pen to paper yet again. We also want to welcome two new contributors - Dave Thompson, a vlogger who is passionate about reaching out to boaters with mental health issues, and Stuart Atkinson. Stuart is an astronomer and a prolific writer of fiction and non-fictional books about our skies. I have no qualms in making him our author of the season, because, after all, star gazing is a terrifically appropriate hobby for boaters'

We have a new FREE PRIZE DRAW for you. On offer once again, back by popular demand, is the COBB BBQ/OVEN. Remember that it is free to enter; all you have to do is fill in a short form. You never know, you may be the lucky one this time.

We also introduce our roving trader of the season for Spring - very appropriately we have Daisy Hampshire of Daisy's Bakin' Butty. We met her on the Grand Union at Long Itchington, where she brightened up our days with her smile (and her fantastic cakes).

We are now on the Dudley Canal and have chosen another favourite pub to feature. This time it is The Tenth Lock at the bottom of the Delph Locks. Such a friendly team running it, and we have been welcomed by all of the regulars.

Our list of subscribers continues to grow, so don't miss out. Simply click on our SUBSCRIBE button featured on the front page. You will then become the recipient of our monthly NEWSLETTERS, which will include all sorts of interesting stuff.

Remember we always appreciate your comments on any aspects of the magazine. You can Write for Us  or become an Active Cruiser and help us keep our waterway guides up to date. And if you have not yet joined [faceboat] do have a look - it is a great way to join in with the waterways community - we welcome photos, stories, boating tips, questions, recommendations - anything to do with the waterways.

Happy Reading!

Linda

Thanks to CANAL IS KING for his phtograph featured on our Spring edition masthead.

albion adventure
by David CornesDavid Cornes tells us about the MNA Boat Club's outing on the Historic Norfolk Wherry 'Albion' - sailing through all weathers.
Read More

wooden canal boat society
by Chris Leah
Chris Leah talks about the work of the WCBS who restore old wooden canal boats, giving them a new role and purpose in the life of the waterways.
Read More

whimbrel - a tale of love
source - Frank Sanderson
Colin Ogden uses lockdown as the opportunity to do something momentous in his late wife Lynda's memory. He completely restores her beloved boat, Whimbrel, and relaunches her.
Read More

caraboat helter skelter
by Neil McGarryNeil McGarry tells us how he came to buy a 1973 caravan/boat, restoring it to its former glory and then exploring much of our inland waterways in it.
Read More

boating and france
by Paul McGrane
Paul McGrane discusses the pros and cons of boating in France and tells us what we would need to do before taking our own boat or a hire boat on French waterways.
Read More

epic endurance challenge 2022
by Steve MandaluffJooles Paillin, a 39 year old mother who lives just outside Nottingham, will be taking up the Tallisker Whisky Challenge and rowing 3000 miles across the atlantic in 2022.
Read More