A Trip Down the River

I spent most of my holiday's growing up on a narrow boat that belonged to a friend of my mum and dad (my dad also built it). Once me and my brother left home it was the perfect time for my mum and dad to have on of their own, my dad built it and together they fitted it out.

Now they spend their holiday's on it, chugging up and down around Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire until they retire and can move further afield.

So a few weekends ago we were invited out for the day, it wasn't the best of day's but being English it's never the whether that is bad, only bad preparation. So donning waterproof's and warm clothes we headed out.

Heading out of the marina down to the lock...

The children had never really seen a lock before, let along been on a boat going through one, having spent so many weeks on one, it seemed like second nature explaining what is happening.

Here you can see the lock being filled up, the paddles are open and the water is rushing in to fill the lock up. The boat goes in and then the same thing at the other end, water is let out, goes down and then the gates open and the boat is on to the river.

Just out of the lock were last years signets, probably about two dozen, we stopped for lunch and then fed the ducks some food too.

One thing I love about being on the canal boat is how quiet it is, I used to get lost in a book or my own thoughts as we trundled through some beautiful country side on my mum and dad's friends boat.

So many happy memories, the children are still young but hopefully one day they will enjoy as much as I did.

And what is the name of this lady, well my mum and dad being children of the 70s called it Thin Lizzy.

So that is our trip, our time in the very fresh air., linking up to Country Kids on Coombe Mill Blog

"Messing about on the River"

My Dad used to build narrow boats for a living, so when I was younger we spent many a week’s holiday on one.

I have seen much of the English countryside from the rivers and canals that wind through England.

There are many great aspects to canal boat holidays, from the peace and tranquillity as the boat glides through the water, to sitting in the sunshine on the front of a boat engrossed in a book.

If you are taking children there is lots to see, from fabulous wildlife to trees and open fields.

With many pubs, beautiful villages and towns along canals and rivers it can be the perfect lazy way to spend a week.

And it isn’t all just lazing about, for those that like a bit of exercise on their holidays, depending on where you go, there could be locks that test your strength and offer an opportunity to talk to fellow boaters who are usually polite and helpful.

You can go as far or as short a distance as you want, taking it as easy as you like. 

Don't worry if you haven't been through a lock before or don't know your port from your starboard, if you are using a canal boat hire company they will show you the ropes before you go out.

*This is a sponsored post, all words and opinions are my own.