Never Two Late Our Journey

Navigating the Unexpected: Stratford, Birmingham, Crick & Beyond!

Well, it seems the waterways have thrown us another curveball! As many of you know, we were really looking forward to a leisurely cruise down to Stratford-upon-Avon, not just for the beautiful scenery but also so Maxine could participate in the Stratford Half Marathon. Sadly, due to unforeseen closures on the canal, our narrowboat journey to Shakespeare’s birthplace has been scuppered.

However, ever the optimists, we’ve quickly adapted! Thankfully, due to our planned boat blacking in June, we’ve still got “wheels” – our trusty car! So, Maxine will still be heading to Stratford to conquer those 13.1 miles, albeit with a slightly less scenic commute. We’re determined not to let a change of plans dampen the spirit! We’ll still soak in the atmosphere of this historic town and cheer Maxine on every step of the way.

But Stratford isn’t the only adventure on our horizon! We’re also incredibly excited about an upcoming trip to Birmingham. We’ll be swapping the gentle sway of Never Two Late for the rhythmic chug of a train as we head to meet the wonderful film crew and fellow participants of Narrow Escapes! It’s going to be fantastic to connect in person, share stories from our time on the show, and catch up with everyone involved. We’re really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and hearing all about their latest adventures.

And speaking of familiar faces and canal camaraderie, we’re absolutely buzzing to announce that we’ll be taking Never Two Late to the Crick Boat Show this year! It feels like ages – a whole three years, in fact – since we last wandered the bustling aisles, admired the beautiful boats, and caught up with friends we haven’t seen in far too long. Crick is always a highlight of the boating calendar, and we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the canal community once again. If you’re planning on being there, please do say hello!

Following the excitement of Crick, it will be time for Never Two Late’s essential spa treatment – her blacking! We’ll be taking a slow and steady cruise back towards our base at Armada, enjoying the familiar stretches of canal before she comes out of the water in June. Once that’s done, we’ll be setting our compass firmly northwards for the remainder of the year, ready to explore new waterways and discover fresh adventures.

However, as any seasoned boater (and indeed, anyone navigating life!) knows, plans are often written in the water – subject to change with the next lock closure, weather system, or unexpected discovery. We’ve certainly learned to embrace the flexibility that this lifestyle demands, and while we have a general direction in mind, we’re always open to the unexpected detours and hidden gems that the canals have to offer.

So, while our Stratford cruise might be on hold for now, our adventures are far from over! Stay tuned for updates from Stratford, our Birmingham rendezvous, all the fun of the Crick Boat Show, and our eventual journey north. We can’t wait to share it all with you!

Never Two Late, Our Song

We’re so excited to share something truly special with you! Recently, I felt inspired to put our life into a song, just for us. It’s been a heartfelt journey bringing this to life, and we truly hope that as you listen, you’ll feel the essence of our story woven into every note and lyric. Take a listen and let us know what you think – we poured our hearts into this one!

Back on the cut. First Cruise of 2025

Hooray! We’ve finally escaped the marina for the week. Marina life always gives me a bit of cabin fever. While it’s convenient with electricity and water readily available, I much prefer the simplicity of being moored alongside the canal and minimising our reliance on those amenities.
After stocking up on diesel, coal, and another gas bottle (the marina prices were astronomical!), we cruised for about half an hour before finding a peaceful spot to moor.

The bird song was delightful, and we enjoyed watching the steady stream of boats pass by, exchanging friendly waves. Even Mr. Owl made an appearance, which was a real treat.

Steve couldn’t resist the sight of a fallen tree, so he donned his work clothes and got to work with the chainsaw – a task he clearly relishes!

To celebrate our return to the waterways, we treated ourselves to a delicious Greek takeaway using a gift voucher from Maxine’s brother.

The next morning, Maxine was up early for a run along the towpath. There was a bit of mud, but it was wonderful to be back on the canal. After a five-mile run, she returned, and Steve got the boat ready for our next move.

We set off again for another short but enjoyable cruise. The canal was bustling with boats, all eager to find a safe mooring before the predicted storm arrived. We found the perfect spot and quickly settled in, erecting the pram cover as if we’d been there for ages.

Now, we’re all set for the storm and enjoying the simple pleasures of being back on the cut. Next weekend, we’re off on a sunny holiday, and then at the end of February, we’ll be back on the water for good, embarking on a full season of cruising the waterways.

Happy New Year from the Never Two Late Crew!

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and delicious food!
We spent Christmas and New Year with Maxine’s parents, enjoying quality time with family and friends. Maxine even managed to squeeze in a couple of parkruns at Clumber Park and a challenging 10K race on Christmas Eve – impressive!
Steve rekindled his competitive spirit with a few rounds of snooker, proving that his lucky streak is still alive and well.
Meanwhile, Mexi revelled in the freedom of the garden, chasing squirrels and pigeons with boundless energy. The highlight, however, was undoubtedly playtime with her best friend, Canna.
We’re now back on the boat and eager to set sail soon. A short cruise is on the horizon before we jet off to a sunnier climate in early February.
Once we return, the adventure continues! We’re planning a northbound journey, with Liverpool as our ultimate destination later this year. However, we need to stay within easy reach for the boat’s upcoming blacking in June.
Maxine has been busy in the galley creating some delicious creations. Check out the recipe and give it a try!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your own baking masterpieces.
Happy cruising (and baking!),
The Never Two Late Crew

Ingredients

For the dough

250g/9oz strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting: 250g/9oz strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
5g salt: 5g salt
7g/⅓oz instant yeast: 7g/⅓oz instant yeast
50g/1¾oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing: 50g/1¾oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
105ml/3½fl oz milk: 105ml/3½fl oz milk
1 free-range egg, lightly beaten: 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten

For the filling

90g/3¼oz unsalted butter, softened: 90g/3¼oz unsalted butter, softened
70g/2½oz light muscovado sugar: 70g/2½oz light muscovado sugar
120g/4½oz ready-to-eat dried apricots, chopped and soaked in orange juice: 120g/4½oz ready-to-eat dried apricots, chopped and soaked in orange juice
35g/1¼oz plain flour: 35g/1¼oz plain flour
60g/2¼oz raisins: 60g/2¼oz raisins
65g/2¼oz chopped walnuts: 65g/2¼oz chopped walnuts
1 orange, zest only: 1 orange, zest only

To finish

50g/1¾oz apricot jam: 50g/1¾oz apricot jam
200g/7oz icing sugar: 200g/7oz icing sugar
25g/1oz flaked almonds: 25g/1oz flaked almonds

Method

Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the salt to one side of the bowl and the yeast to the other. Add the butter, milk and egg and mix to combine, using your hands. Continue to mix until you’ve picked up all the flour from the sides of the bowl. Use the dough to clean the inside of the bowl and keep going until you have a soft dough.
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and begin to knead. Keep kneading for 10-12 minutes. Work through the initial wet stage until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin.
When the dough feels smooth and silky, put it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and leave to rise for one hour, or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, make the filling. Beat the butter and muscovado sugar together until smooth. Drain the apricots and add to the butter mixture along with the flour, raisins, walnuts and orange zest. Mix to combine.
Line a baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper.
Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Taking care not to knock the air out of it, roll out the dough into a rectangle, approximately 33x25cm/13x10in. Turn the dough 90 degrees if necessary, so you have a long edge nearest you. Spread the apricot mixture evenly over the dough. Roll up the dough tightly (like a Swiss roll). Roll it slightly to seal, then cut it in half lengthways (you can leave one end joined to help you twist the dough and form the circular crown).
Twist the two dough lengths together to make a rope, then join the ends of the rope to form a circular ‘crown’. Transfer to the baking tray.
Put the tray inside a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for 30-45 minutes, or until the dough springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
Bake the couronne for 25-35 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown. Set aside to cool on a wire rack.
Gently heat the apricot jam with a splash of water, then sieve it and brush it over the warm loaf to glaze. Mix the icing sugar with enough water to make a thin icing, drizzle over the loaf and sprinkle with the flaked almonds. Leave to cool before serving.

A Narrow Escape: Our TV Debut

This summer, we had the incredible opportunity to be part of Narrow Escapes, a popular TV show airing on Channel 4.

The film crew joined us on our boating adventures along the picturesque Macclesfield and Caldon canals. They captured some truly memorable moments that will surely resonate with audiences. One highlight was the dramatic descent of the Bosley locks under a downpour, where the cascading water created a stunning visual backdrop that mirrored the excitement of our journey. As raindrops splashed upon our boat, we couldn’t help but laugh and cheer in the spirit of adventure.

A particularly heartwarming moment occurred when Maxine collected her latest book, “Mexi and Sammy Snail.” The look of joy on her face as she held the book would have warmed anyone’s heart. It was delightful to see her passion for storytelling come to life, and we are eager for others to read her imaginative tale.

Our visit to a local pet shop turned into another cherished memory, as we treated our beloved boat dog, Mexi. Watching her pick out her favourite toy and indulge in some tasty treats brought a smile to our faces. Seeing the bond we share with our furry friend highlights the joy of travelling with pets and the little things that make life special.

We also had the pleasure of witnessing the creative spirit of Steve at the Caldon Canal’s 50th Anniversary celebration. He showcased his handmade coin jewellery. His enthusiasm for his craft and the stories behind each piece enthralled the community.

Throughout our journey, the entire Narrow Escapes team made us feel incredibly welcome, bringing a sense of camaraderie and shared excitement. Mexi, our furry companion, seemed to revel in the attention of the crew, adding her own playful charm to our adventures. We spent hours sharing stories, and laughter, and creating lasting friendships that extended beyond the camera’s lens.

As we reflect on these experiences, we find ourselves filled with anticipation for how they will be portrayed on screen. The way the crew captured the essence of our adventures has us excited to share the final product with you all. We hope that viewers will embark on this journey with us, experiencing the beauty of the canals and the bonds formed along the way.

Stay tuned for our TV debut on Channel 4 in Spring 2025!

We’ll keep you updated on the air date and any behind-the-scenes tidbits.

Locks, locks, and even more locks.

After being stuck in Warwick for over a week, the lock we had been waiting for was unlocked a week earlier than expected.

We nipped to Sainsbury’s to get our final supplies ready for the next day. We were up early as we had 23 locks to complete today. The Hatton flight beckoned us. These locks we had been told were a killer, oh the joys.

It was a bright morning, and we were both looking forward to the challenge. We put Mexi’s harness on, and I went to open the lock whilst Steve bought Never Two Late in. The two locks out of Warwick went smoothly for us. I had to report to CRT that the newly fitted ladders were loose and anyone using them could be seriously injured. Not good, as these had only been completed the day before.

It was only about 20 minutes later that we came to the Hatton flight; for some reason, I had thought these would be staircase locks, naïve, I know. The downside is that they are big bulbous heavy locks. Which takes much winding up. Sadly, no lockies could be seen, and no other boaters were tackling these today. We got into a routine, and after about 4 hours, we were nearly at the summit; the best thing was the café that made amazing hot chocolates at the top, which we treated ourselves to once we had moored up and sorted the boat out for the evening. That evening we ate an excellent meal at the pub on the hill overlooking the canal, which we felt we deserved after doing 23 locks for the day.

We awoke to a much greyer day, but it didn’t stop us from cruising as we were on a mission to see friends. Today we were heading to the Stratford canal. I cooked breakfast once we had left our mooring and put some washing on as we were filling up with water too.

Steve did an impressive turn onto the Stratford canal, and we headed down the narrow locks. After the first couple of locks, I decided to give these locks a go. I was extremely apprehensive as I had only done a couple of locks previously. However, it went smoothly, apart from a few scrapes and the loss of most of the side fenders. Steve and Mexi did a great job of operating the locks, but the towpaths were very muddy, so that night, Mexi had to have a shower as her fur was all mudded up.

Our final push into Stratford found us doing another 17 locks the next day. Steve took the helm this time, as I like doing the locks, and I don’t think we have enough paint for another day of me doing locks. It’s also much more fun, and the locks on the Stratford are pretty straightforward. The good thing was that the towpaths were not too bad today, and the final flight before going into Stratford was tarmac. We only saw one other boat moving, and that was when we were nearly at the end of the flight into Stratford Upon Avon.

Coming into Stratford’s final locks, we met some young girls outside McDonald’s who thought it would be fun to swear and throw things at me, I just ignored them, and we quickly wet on our way, apart from a swan trying to stop Steve going into the final lock the trip went very smoothly.

We went under the road bridge and were in Stratford basin; It was empty of private boats, just the usual café boat and the trip boat was in there. We moored up on one of the pontoons and thoroughly enjoyed having a few days in Stratford, wandering around the beautiful town, checking out the various markets and meeting friends. We highly recommend this trip as the canal was pretty and is a very safe, fun mooring.

Epic Fail, Check for Closures in-future.

We, at long last, left the marina. We were well and truly ready. Marinas are not for me; I prefer to be out on the cut. We had a lovely cruise to Braunston; it was so lovely being back cruising, watching all the nature, seeing the lambs and the plants trying to burst out from winter into their spring blossom. We saw a beautiful kite soaring above as we slowly meandered along the canal.
We arrived in Braunston just after four o’clock. The weather had started to cool down, so we moored up, quickly put the pram cover-up, and stoked the fire. It didn’t take long for the boat to become toasty. We popped into The Boat pub for dinner. It was delicious; we returned and caught up on some vlogs we had missed over the weekend.
Monday morning, Mexi and I went for a morning walk along the canal; seeing different scenery was lovely. Mexi found a small animal’s house and wanted it to come out to play, it kept squeaking at her, and I had to move her along. We had a cup of tea and popped into Braunston to the post office, then back to the boat. I had an hour’s work to do before we could set off. At just after one o’clock, we set off. We only had a few locks; this was the first time we had seen these types of locks; they were tough and heavy to work. The weather was not too bad; we had a bit of drizzle. As we cruised, I prepared a tasty Beef & mushroom casserole for tea cooked on the wood burner. The smell was wonderful. We kept going until we started to get too cold and moored up in the middle of nowhere which was great. There was a lovely view over the fields and nothing around us so that Mexi could play on the towpath without annoying anyone else.
Tuesday morning arrived, and we set off by ten o’clock. Today, we had lots of heavy locks to do. I was still not confident enough to take the boat through, so I had to find some extra strength from somewhere. It was a nightmare doing the locks. The pounds were empty, so we had to keep filling them up and releasing water into the next one before going further. By the end of the flight of ten, I had enough, I was shattered, but we still had more to do. We ended up completing sixteen locks in the end. My eyes were extremely heavy, as were my arms. We moored up again in the middle of nowhere near the last lock. I made a cheese sauce between locks and cooked the cauliflower. So we had a quick, tasty tea of cauliflower cheese and sausages. I fell asleep watching tv and slept like a log.
We only had four locks to do on Wednesday, which made me happy. We were heading to Warwick, where we planned to spend a few days before tackling the Hatton flight. The weather was not great. It kept raining, but we knew we didn’t have far to go today, so it wasn’t too bad. We stopped at Lidl just outside Leamington Spa, and I bought far too many goodies. We then cruised onwards to Warwick. As we arrived, we started to look for a mooring. There seemed nowhere we really fancied, so we decided to go through the other two locks. This is where we had an epic FAIL. We had missed a closure when planning the trip. I walked up to the lock. It had a padlock, and eventually, I found the closure. Oh great, we are not stuck at the bottom of the locks until the 17th of March. Hey-Ho looks like lots of knitting and earring-making for me, and I’m sure Mexi will get lots of walks, and Steve will enjoy pottering about and keep checking on CRT to see how the work is going.

Our New Shelves

A month of constant cruising!

We have now been constant cruising for a month. Wow-what a life-changing experience it has been. When you are planning the move, you have a vision. Well, I did of how our life would be once onboard. Luckily a lot of it has happened, and we are definitely living our dream. However, some areas have been challenging.

Trying to learn how everything works is definitely the most significant learning curve. Boat handovers are very sparse; I thought we would get a lot of information verbally, not just handed the 2 A4 folders and a basic show around. I started to try and make sense of lots of the information, but it’s not the easiest of things to learn. The electric side of boat living has been the most challenging part. The electrics on a boat do not work anything like in a house. If you have read the previous blogs, you will have seen I blew a fuse trying to use a washing machine and Ninja whilst travelling, which I will never do again as it has caused so much trouble and headaches.

My favourite part is meeting some amazingly friendly people. Most fellow boaters we have met have been so helpful, and I’ve loved chatting to them at locks and when we are hanging out on the back deck. Mexi, our dog to begin with, really did struggle. She is now much calmer, as we have found as long as she comes with me when doing the locks, she doesn’t fret. We now need to get her used to staying on board for a short while so we can nip out. I’m sure she will get there.

You do need to be organised regarding food as we found on the Ashby canal there are few shops close to the canal, luckily I had yeast so made our bread, it wasn’t bad I’m sure with more practice it will improve. Finding great farm shops has been a bonus as I love cooking and eating good food. I have even started to do a bit of foraging, and so far, so good, no poorly tummies. Also, regarding being organised, you need to plan to get water and get rid of the rubbish. CRT is very poor with recycling, which amazed me. I didn’t expect this.

The general house chores still crop up, but at least now it is all completed very quickly, and the biggest bonus is there have been very few items of clothes to iron. We definitely have enough clothes, if anything too many, as we tend to live in walking gear as it drys quickly and is comfortable. The steamer I bought on the boat has been used a few times and is an excellent kit.

I love going for morning walks with Mexi, and I have the area at the front as my little office comes den. Being with each other in a small, confined space can be challenging at times as everyone needs their own space, but I feel that we are coping quite well. You have to think sometimes and be more considerate of each other’s feelings, especially as it’s all new to you.

Steve is fantastic at steering the boat, thank goodness because I’m still extremely nervous but soon going to have a couple of hours lesson which I hope will increase my confidence. I love doing the locks and have managed to do the majority without any hitches.

We have found some lovely walks and beautiful villages to wander around and explore, which we would have never seen if we hadn’t moved onto the boat. The wildlife and birds are genuinely superb and have lived up to expectations.

Sleeping on a boat comes very quickly. I’ve never slept as peacefully, I think it’s a combination of fresh air and being more active, or the lovely log burner could be. As soon as I sit down in the evening with that glowing away, I’m gone.

I highly recommend finding out as much information regarding electrics and maintenance for anyone thinking of moving onto a boat. This is the only thing that has caused us headaches, plus it ensures you get an emergency pack of engine bits, i.e. fuses etc. Food-wise keep some par-baked bread and long-life milk as this is always aback up.

A trip down the Coventry Canal

After a lovely Easter, it was time to start travelling again. We left Great Haywood and travelled back to Fradley Junction. This time we did it one day. We saw lots more boats this time and the weather was lovely and sunny. We even had a couple of the locks with us, which changed. I am starting to feel better at the locks now, and I have begun to take Mexi with me each time, which has calmed her down. She is getting a dab hand at walking across the locks, and her new long lead is definitely an improvement. We popped to The Swan pub at Fradley junction for tea. It was OK. They had been very busy, not much left on the menu, don’t go for the loaded fries though you visit not the best. The following day after mine and Mexi’s walk around kingfisher wood, it was time to start travelling down the Coventry canal.
The Coventry canal is beautiful and quite windy. Also, there are many reeds, but luckily, it is the spring you can see through most. It’s an excellent job as it seemed that every time we came to a bend, there was a bridge and another boat coming. There were some beautiful gardens along the way. We had a nosey at them as we passed. We saw lots of ducklings and sitting swans waiting for their eggs to hatch. Spring was definitely in the air. We popped into kings Orchard marina. It wasn’t the easiest of places to get to, especially as we wanted fuel. We slotted n to one of the spare moorings whilst waiting our turn. The gentleman at the marina assisted us in leaving as it was a bit of a struggle even using the bow thrusters. We continued on our way, and eventually, we came to a village called Hopwas, a pretty village with a lovely pub that we stopped at for a pint on our way back from exploring. It was a busy stretch, and boats were going past late into the night.
The next day we had decided to move to Polesworth. There were only two locks to do. It was pretty busy, but I didn’t mind as it enabled us to chat to other boaters whilst waiting to go through them. We were told about a good Indian in this village above a pub, so we defiantly decided that it was tonight’s tea. The mooring was good next to a lovely park. This had the river Anker going through it. We found beautiful old butchers and old fashioned greengrocers. The greengrocer had some goose eggs, and we bought them for breakfast the next day. We also bought some other bits to have fresh veg and meat for our travels. The curry was from The Yard spice, and it was excellent and the best thing you could have a drink whilst it was being prepared, then a quick walk back to the boat. We had an array of geese and ducks wandering past, which was lovely to see, and there were plenty of other boaters passing. After a couple of days here, it was time to move on to our next adventure again.

Thanks for reading love the Never Two Late Crew