To Bradford and back

Shangri La at Bradford on Avon

Semington to Bradford

After our drydocking at Semington(See this post), as were were already half way there, we thought we would continue on down the Kennet and Avon canal, to Bra…

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Shangri La at Bradford-on-Avon

And off to Dry Dock at Semington

Outward Trip

The trip on Shangri La down to the dry dock was pretty straightforward – 6 locks, 5 swing bridges – Set out at 12.20 on Sunday, and arrived at 17.25

Karen had to do all the hard work – she hadn’t done locks or swing bridges for a while, but she soon got back into it – and…

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Shangri La

Meanwhile - more repairs and improvements

Delays

The Citizenship approval is taking longer than expected, so not moving on just yet. But using the time for repairs and improvements.

Over the past few weeks, I have replaced one of the wheelhouse windows, started cleaning up and painting the engine bay, fitted a brand new oven, and had…

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Shangri La

Shangri La - back to blogging

Shangri La – April 2026 – K and A Canal

I have not posted anything here for ages! Mainly because we have not been going anywhere.

Shangri La, our 58 x 11 ft widebeam barge, has been moored up here on the Foxhangers private moorings since August 2021, while my wife Karen is doing carework …

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Shangri La Drydocking 2023

Shangri La at Semington

Shangri La Drydocking 2023. So in August we made the huge trip from Foxhangers down to Semington to give her a much needed drydocking.

5 Swing Bridges and 6 locks. We set out on the Sunday late morning, and arrived there mid afternoon.

Overnighted aboard, and th…

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Into Dry Dock

On the Midland Waterways

Normally my posts are about trips on our own boat, but recently I did a boat moving trip, mostly on the midland waterways, from Eynsham to Tardebigge. Purpose of the trip was repositioning some hire boats – so a bit of a free holiday.

The 2 boats we moved

The route took us down the Thames, v…

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“There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” … as the Water Rat said to the Mole in “Wind in the Willows”. And how right he was! I hope I can share the pleasures of boating by recording the trips myself and my wife Karen have taken on the journey to actually buying our boat, and now on our very own Dutch Steel Motor Cruiser, Shangri-La 2.

This blog is an online journal of my various boating activities that have happened over the last few years, from the numerous boating holidays we have taken, some interesting work related events and the journey to buying our own boat

Latest Adventures

More interesting boats! (part 2)

More interesting boats! (part 2)

Here are a few more pics of funny and/or interesting boats we have seen on our boating travels on the inland waterways through Netherlands, Belgium and France. Antwerp - Willemdok Havenmeester This was a one off - in Antwerp the Harbour Master, complete with white...

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Boats and boats and more boats! (part 1)

Boats and boats and more boats! (part 1)

So here we are, well into May. Normally by now I would have done masses of route planning and have our 3 months cruising all set, as well as wintering possibilities for the end of the year. But Shangri La has a new owner and we are boatless! I am a mixture of...

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2018 Shangri La cruising – Season review

2018 Shangri La cruising – Season review

What a season it was! Great from the point that we sold Shangri La to a good home, and that we achieved a reasonable price. Not so good from the cruising point of view. Map with 2018 cruising route With regards to the first point – when we bought Shangri La at the end...

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Shangri La – The Final Episode – Part 2

Shangri La – The Final Episode – Part 2

Thursday 30th August to Monday 24th September Part 2 – The sale of Shangri La About a week after we left the boat  in July (see South of France and Sojourn in England), I had a message from the H2O broker that we already had an offer on Shangri La, obviously subject...

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Shangri La – The Final Episode – Part 1

Shangri La – The Final Episode – Part 1

Thursday 30th August to Monday 24th September Part 1 – The cruising Shangri La at fuel jetty - St Jean The final episode on Shangri La was somewhat of a rollercoaster ride, with loads of mixed emotions – happiness, sadness, relief and frustration! I had hoped to have...

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Sojourn in England

Sojourn in England

27th Julyto 29th August Bath Bath - River Avon There are several reasons for this month long sojourn in England. The main reason was to do the 2 -week Demuth’s Vegan Cooking Diploma Course in Bath. As any regular reader will know, we follow a plant-based diet and are...

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South of France

South of France

Monday 16th July to Friday 27th July South of France There are a number of reasons for this little trip – we would have loved to have done it aboard Shangri La, but the trip down the Rhone is not taken lightly, especially if you want to come back up again. Also, down...

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Chalon-sur-Saone – and on to St Jean-de-Losne

Chalon-sur-Saone – and on to St Jean-de-Losne

Chalon-sur-Saone Wednesday 4th to Friday 6th July As much as it is wonderful to have friends on board, it is lovely to have the boat all to ourselves. We had three lovely relaxing days in Chalon – a meal at our favourite vegan eatery – La Pierre Vie, shop ups at...

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Having friends on board

Having friends on board

Friday 29 June to Tuesday 3 July St Leger to Chalon-sur-Saone Friday was a catch up with cleaning the boat, shopping and getting ready for Karen’s friend Linda joining us. St Leger is a lovely stopping place. It is a Locaboat hire base so has all the amenities. The...

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Digoin to St Leger-sur-Dheune

Digoin to St Leger-sur-Dheune

  Monday 25th June – Digoin to Paray-le-Monial Lovely late start to the day. Topped up the water tanks. Last shop up at E LeClerc and a visit to Tourist Office for wifi. Mainly to send emails to H2O in St Jean de Losne to set up meetings for a few repairs we need...

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Trips by Date

About Me

My love of boats goes back to my early years when I went on holiday with my parents to Knysna in the Cape. We stayed at a hotel on stilts, and I played in rowing boats and little motor boats on the lagoon.

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