Our ferry from Stornoway docked at Ullapool on the mainland and we drove on to a campsite at the end of Loch Ewe, to be met by the most stunning sunset of the trip. During World War Two, a Polish Army unit was based on this site, one of many protecting the coastal communities against…
Harris & Lewis – The Long Island
We crossed on the ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris and traded the majestic landscape of Skye for a moonscape of rocky outcrops. This pinkish white layered crystal is about 3 billion years old and is some of the oldest rocks on the planet. It’s called Lewisian gneiss and is believed to…
Over the Bridge to Skye
It was a drive of 421 miles to the Skye Bridge and we nearly didn’t make it, we were 9 miles short when our 14 year old diesel engine started tapping. Thankfully we had a breakdown/recovery service and amazingly, a tow truck turned up within 30 minutes. Our superhero mechanic used his size 8mm spanner…
Time for Tixall
We were going to take our time heading south on the Trent & Mersey (T&M) to Great Haywood, but with the promise of a sunny Easter weekend, we opted to push on in the hope of getting a good spot at Tixall Wide before the Bank Holiday rush. As we headed into Stoke-on-Trent again, it’s…
Classic Caldon
In years gone by (good grief I feel old!), we used to keep the boat at Heritage Marina on the Macclesfield Canal and a favourite 1 week trip would be south through the Harecastle Tunnel and up onto the Caldon Canal, one of the oldest canals in England (1776). This picturesque and contouring navigation was…
We have descended!
It seems a lifetime ago, but after nearly 4 months of repairs, at 12:00 noon on the 23rd February 2024, the padlocks were removed from the top lock of the Wigan Flight and we were part of the first group of boats to make the descent. We paired up with some new friends and spent…
Heading south – again!
It’s been an odd few months, but we’re finally heading towards Wigan (again) in the hope that the Wigan Locks will reopen in a week or so. Apparently, they’re just about to pour the concrete! We’ve had our second anniversary of moving onto the boat and we’re feeling more settled – if that’s a way…
Solving A Mystery
A few days before Christmas, we cast off from our winter moorings in Skipton and popped into the canal basin, to replenish our stocks of diesel and coal at Pennine Cruisers. Even though we haven’t been cruising, we have used diesel to run the engine to charge batteries and provide hot water for showers; water…
Rocks, Rivers and Colourful Lights
Having brought the car up to where we’re moored, we’ve been out exploring the more remote areas of the Dales that the bus services don’t reach! Our first big find has been Brimham Rocks near to Harrogate. You could advertise this place as a prehistoric theme park, it is 320 million years old! The rather…
The Heart of the Dales
It’s been a busy few weeks and we are settled on our winter mooring in Skipton. As the boat is stationary, we’ve opted to bring the car up and use it for exploring. Ian’s been off to the woods and Malham Tarn whilst I’ve been recuperating from my second hand operation and planning for Christmas!…