Although from Marple, she was on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union canal when we got her. We spent a few weekends getting to grips with our new #notabarge before starting the journey to our base on the Grand Union canal.

We weren't totally new to narrowboating. We'd been on hire boats before including Martin from Kate Boats in May! We practised taking pictures of the sun setting and made friends with a duck! We saw Martin again in September when we were moving Blackstar!

We handed Martin back Kate Boats and immediately went to Crick where I got my trusty Go Windlass! Less blisters now.

June and July = many miles travelled in the car to look at many narrowboats. We thought we'd found "the one" but then Blackstar became available.

Our first trip in Blackstar was a 9 mile overnight trip, which included a visit to the pub we moored near. We loved every single minute onboard!

The following weekend was the August bank holiday; 16 miles, 12 locks, a walk to Beeston Castle, very hot weather, and a lot of laughs!

On 31 August we left Aqueduct Marina to head off to Blackstar's new base! 12 miles and 4 locks to Overwater Marina via the Secret Bunker!

A few days later we left Overwater and began a 127 mile, 64 lock journey....

Our first sunset at our new base!

Having spent the somewhat chilly weekend on the boat, I can confirm we're gonna need a bigger boat! The eberspacher on our 30ft beetle was just fine but I need a stove! A morso squirrel or one of those shinny diesel things. #biggerboatdreams

Thoughts on 70ft Vs 57ft? #boatsthattweet

Is it too early for ice cream? ☕️🫖🥓🍕🍦Wobbly Boater 🍦🍕🥓🫖☕️

I'm getting worried about Colin. George Skinner should be out of that tunnel...two hours now and no update on how it went!

Where are the ice creams at today ☕️🫖🥓🍕🍦Wobbly Boater 🍦🍕🥓🫖☕️? Are you still at Hillmorton?

Morning 𝔻𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕕 𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕞𝕝𝕖𝕪 𝐧𝐛 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞, I like your roof boxes. Can you tell me what the dimensions are and if you are able to walk on the roof in locks?

Morning Motor Tug Sharpness

My Dad just emailed to tell me he's watching "cruising the gap" 😁 Cruising the Cut

Grand Union Canal, Market Harbrough arm SWANWATCHUK

Nice to see you today Nicholas Scarcliffe, thanks for the delivery!

Dead swan in the Trent and Mersey canal at Dallow Lock, Burton Upon Trent today. Does this need to be reported to anyone? Canal & River Trust East Midlands SWANWATCHUK