Now I am back from my holiday on the Macclesfield canal I can only eulogize about the beauty of the Peak district.
It is a wonderful experience to travel the length of this beautiful canal with views of the Peaks around every corner.
The a joining Peak forest canal into Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth basin is something to savour.
This trip we decided to investigate a little further afield and caught the bus from High Lane into Stockport.
This town has some lovely old buildings sadly often spoilt by 1970-80s architecture near by.

Here comes summer!
The show season is starting with the Braunston Share Show on the 22nd and 23rd of April.
Why not pop along to take a look at some shared boats and talk to their owners.
The three shared ownership management companies will all be there to welcome you to the shared ownership way of boating.
Each company offers something different one of which is certain to suit your needs.

Officially spring is here.
Enquiries for shares are increasing, our syndicates are out cruising.
The canals are still very quiet you can often cruise all day with only an occasional boat n view.
With central heating and a lovely solid fuel dove on board cruising can be very nice.

It is with excitement that our owners go aboard after upgrade s during the winter maintenance.
My boat being no exception, we have had a bathroom make over taking out the old corner bath and adding a walk in shower.
Tomorrow will be the day our syndicate see the changes!

January sees several boats enjoying the peaceful cruising of the winter.
Although many of our syndicates chose to have their annual maintenance undertaken during January and February.
This is a very exciting time as we start to prepare for another year of cruising.
Happy New Year

Fire works and bonfires are now part of the next few weekends.
With exited and scared children enjoying the fun of halloween and fireworks.
We have watched many firework displays from our boat and at Great Haywood you can have a spectacular view of Shugborough Hall Extravaganza.
I am sure the canal moorings going up towards the lock will have a similar view this year.
Happy Cruising

Another summer comes at a close and the joys of Autumn are upon us.
The lovely warm days and cooler evenings with beautiful changes of colour in the countryside.
We are now restarting the heating and lighting the stoves, this is a gentle reminder that although we would like to stop up all of the draughts we all need to beware of the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide.
This invisible gas can and does kill boaters every year.
Please check your battery in the CO monitor and resist the urge to block up the ventilation.
Happy boating

What a wonderful cruise I had with friends during July.
We had two weeks cruising to the Black Country Museum and return to Stratford on Avon
This is my first trip on the southern Stratford it is a very restful canal, if you excuse the very narrow bridges.
If you have not traveled on this section it is one canal I will be adding to my favourites list.
This journey is one of contrasts, if a little energetic, you can take some relief on the Birmingham sections.

Here we are at the end of July and I like many am planning my summer cruise.
This is the time when I actually get to see the canals in their rich summer colours, I enjoy the spotting of wild flowers and always hope to spot something I have not seen before.
So whilst I am packing I include the Wild flower, butterfly & insect identification books most years I am lucky and identify something.
I will be travelling up the South Stratford to Birmingham a section which is new to me and reading my Pearson's guide it sounds as if I will not be disappointed.

Anyone attending the Crick boat show will know how busy this event can be with ever more people wishing to move to a life afloat.
The canals are a continuing place to go for peace for our busy minds and exercise for our often sedentary bodies.
The appeal seems to be growing again as we search for an escape for the pot holed congested roads and the constant mental pressures of our land based lives.
I was very pleased to meet many people searching to take their first steps on the boating ladder doing extensive research before investing in a boat.