A Trip Down Memory Lane

It wasn't long after we had started cruising, that Fred, Ungi and Jimmy, who are well seasoned canal boaters and have been on more trips than me (only because I wasn't born when they started boating), got very excited and said they had something to show me.


They explained that we were passing the boatyard of Brook Line boats at Dunhampstead Wharf and this was where they hired their first ever canal boat from, back in 2001 when they tackled the Stourport Ring for their first taste of canal boating. We tried to spot the names of the boats currently in the yard to see if Ripplingbrook,the boat they'd previously hired was there, but even though boating speed is only 3 m.p.h., we were still past too quickly to spot the boat names.

A few seconds later, there was even greater excitement. Ripplingbrook was spotted, not in the boatyard, but moored to the towpath a few yards further on.


This was simply great for us, as it meant we could slowly glide past and get a close up view.


She looked to be in such good condition that I found it hard to believe that she had been about for so many years. After all, canal boats do get quite a few knocks, even when the helmsman is skilled, as going through bridges and into locks there is often little more than an inch to spare.

I was surprised though at how small she looked. Since I've been with Bears Unlimited, we've hired some much bigger boats - I know I'm an extra traveller but I didn't think I took up that much room! Jimmy explained that on that trip they had had no permanent beds and had had to make up their beds every night. It wasn't much of a hardship but they do now appreciate the luxury of permanently made up beds.

We all enjoyed our first afternoon's cruising very much and especially the hot prawn and vegetable curry we made for our dinner, after trying out the local brew at a canalside pub.

Lots of love Eddie and Bears Unlimited boaters xxx

Avon Calling

Hello friends, this is Eddie reporting back in from my latest adventure. What a time my fellow crew members and I have had. We've been canal boating in the Midlands and chugged our vessel round an extended version of the Avon ring. We had rather more adventure that we bargained for when we got marooned on an island, and I can hardly wait to tell you all about it, and the new friends we met as a result. However, I'm going to have to keep you in suspense for a while as I need to start my tale at the beginning.

I took command of my vessel, a 62 foot narrowboat, named Muscovy, on a sunny afternoon a week and a half ago.


Do you not agree that she's a fine craft? I was very proud to be her Master for the duration of our trip. I was also pleased that she had a respectable boat name, after all, a Muscovy is very much a water bird. This was rather unusual for a Black Prince hire boat. We hire from Black Prince as the boats are smart, modern and well maintained. The only problem is that most of the fleet names are silly girls names, which don't suit a narrow boat at all. Previously we've hired Celia and this year we also saw a Josie and, horror, a Mabel. Narrowboats really should not be called Mabel.

Enough said! One of my first tasks was to settle my crew aboard and to hoist the bear flag.


Hopefully anyone who reads our blog regularly will know the names of all my crew, but don't worry I won't test you.

Once we had cast off and were well and truly underway I couldn't help but put on my happy boating face. I know you saw it last year when I went chugging, but here is this year's version.


If you want to be as happy as I am in my picture, I thoroughly recommend a canal boating holiday.

Lots of love, Eddie and the crew of Muscovy xxx

Afloat Aboard Erik

This afternoon our eagerly anticipated adventure began when we picked up our narrow boat from a wharf near Rugby. We are very pleased with our boat and think it has a great name. It is called Erik, which when you understand it is a Vikings Afloat boat, is a most appropriate name we think and we are proud to sail aboard her.

Boating is a very popular bear activity so there is always a big contingent of Bears Unlimited members wanting to come along. Being chief boating bear I, Eddie, am always present. Chelmer is still eager to give his brother Spike and friends a great stay so has brought them all along. You will hear from others here as the week goes on, and as we are so close to the Midlands branch home base, we will be having visitors throughout the week.

We were very pleased to set off in sunshine and, paws crossed, the forecast is good for the next few days. We got into a bit of a traffic jam at the first set of locks when we got stuck behind a couple of boats which were just leaving their hire bases and lacked the locking experience of our Bears Unlimited crew. However, relaxing in the sunshine was no hardship and we had time to take in a few natural sightings such as this swan nesting in some lovely bullrushes. We chugged until 7.00 p.m. and then were lucky to get one of the last moorings in the popular canal village of Braunston. We are just back from a visit to a pub in the village where the food was very good and so was the beer. We happily downed a pint or two of Black Sheep bitter.


There is no doubt about it, we are very contented bears tonight.
(We're posting the next day when we found an internet connection).

Lots of love, Eddie and friends xxx