Posts Categorized: Blog

Actually, there isn’t a single Camino, there are a dozen Camino routes, all ending in Santiago de Compostela in the north east of Spain. Those starting in Paris or Seville are about 1000 km, whilst the Camino Aragones is just a short step at 160 km. The most popular is the Camino Francés at 800km… Read more »

2018 has been the warmest, driest year on record and some of the waterways have struggled with keeping water levels sufficiently high enough to allow cruising. A 55 mile stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was closed at the end of July between Wigan in Greater Manchester and Gargrave, North Yorkshire.  It was intended… Read more »

Before any vessel ventures onto the 95 mile tidal section of the River Thames, whether up or down stream, it is essential to consult the River Thames Tide Times.  The PLA (Port of London Authority) publishes these times up to 2 years in advance, which are given in Greenwich Mean Time , so users must… Read more »

We have just finished our inaugural cruise along the River Wey from Weybridge to Guildford and return. Since 1964 the River Wey has been owned and run by the National Trust, one of Britain’s most respected and important independent charities. The NT relies on the generosity of its members, supporters and visitors. The Wey runs… Read more »

TRAINS AND BOATS AND PLANES     and buses, taxis and bikes and on foot….. When planning our cruising routes we consider the start and finish points and think of how guests will travel to the boat to join us and how they might complete their return journey afterwards. In most cases, we incorporate start points that… Read more »

As we travel around the rivers and canals of the southern waterways we see abundant wildlife.  We have guests who are happy relaxing on the bow deck and watch the wildlife as we cruise along. Guests who are keen bird watchers or photographers are often seen enjoying the sights as we cruise along or get… Read more »

Boaters on any river must be fully aware of the strength of current or flow. When we cruise the River Thames in particular, we ensure we are up to date with the weather conditions and forecast, which is a good indicator of river conditions. The rate of flow can change very quickly even following the… Read more »

As we finish our Season of cruises, Kailani is at rest on its winter mooring near Napton, Warwickshire, and we return to our home in Louth, Lincolnshire. Many an afternoon is spent walking along our local canal, the Louth Navigation, to give its official title. Locals simply call it the Louth Canal. We thought we… Read more »

Cruising between Stoke Bruerne and Linslade causes boats to pass through the City of Milton Keynes, which although classed as a “new town”, was created 50 years ago this year.  The Grand Union Canal meanders  between the locks at Cosgrove and Fenny Stratford, a distance of about 11 miles, through parkland and the original settlements… Read more »

All the Hotel Boats who are Members of the British Marine Inland Boating get together twice a year to discuss various matters and one item is nominations for Lock Keeper of the Year Award.  These can be anyone either on the canals or rivers of the Inland waterways, in full time work for the Canal… Read more »