As always in Autumn we need to check our flues and baffle plates are clear and that our CO2 alarms are working as we snuggle down in front of a lovely warm fire.
The autumn leaves are filling the canal and causing us all to slow down and go out of gear to remove the leaves form the propeller.
But we can only marvel at the wonder colours of nature at this time of year.
Fungi are in abundance now and they come in such a wonder range of shapes, colours and varieties, try downloading the app to idenitify the ones your find.

This week I was pleasantly surprised to hear on "Open Country" on BBC 4 a podcast with the content about Braunston and canal boating. Pete Waterman was going back to his youth and talking to two canal volunteers one of them was an owners on one of our boats.
Try listening too it by following the link
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000lvcp

It is lovely to be back to boating again.
Our boaters having been extolling the virtues of the welcome and safe environment of the canal side pubs and shops.
To have the freedom of boating in these troubled times is just wonderful and the naturally socially distancing on a boat means you can relax at last.

This year has been very odd the weather seems to have been summer since April and the seasons have brought most wild flowers and plants forward by several weeks.
We are now seeing Red Campion, meadow sweet and Ragged Robin along our tow paths.
The sloes are filling out and the trees and bushes are heavy with fruit, the brambles are full of flower attracting many butterflies and show promise for an early and good harvest.
As we start our cruising again take a moment to enjoy the wonders of the tow path.

All owners are getting excited about the possibility of boating again in the near future.
It is sad to see the marinas full of dusty cobweb strewn boats.
With the wild flowers of spring fading and the summer roses and honeysuckle now giving us scents and smells. Let us hope the virus declines and allows a new normal to begin.

Another month has passed and our boats are checked by our staff but sadly we must wait until times are safer before we venture out again.
All those wonderful boaters that have made video's of their trips have made virtual cruising possible.
I thank you for this option when the boating bug bites

What a difference a month makes!
Many of us are either working exceedingly hard on behalf of those who are confined to home.
May I take this chance to say a huge thank you to everyone working for us all.

With most of our boats now out of winter works our spring cruising begins.
It seems amazing that the gardens and hedge rows in the Midlands are more like late March with leaves bursting and blackthorn in flower. Birds have started to collecting nesting materials and the general waking up of the countryside is well underway.

During the last few weeks we have at last seen a little more sun and it makes life on the cut come to mind.
Holidays are now starting to be planned and spring seems to be looking closer.
The nights are drawing out and the promise of the new cruising season is palpable.
My cruising guides have resurfaced and the joys of route planning are now underway.
See you all on the cut very soon

Happy New Year
After all the festivities are over life can go back to a steady pace on the canals.
We are all looking forward to longer days and the signs of new life in the spring.
With weather warnings of snow and ice we know that winter is far from over yet.
The blessing this year is the water levels are high and so our 2020 cruising should be easier and less restricted than last spring.