Canal/River Ring Maps

I like the idea of a Canal/River ring, it means I don’t have to come back the same way, everything is new (ish) but like most trips on a new canals I like to do my research before hand so I know some of what I am going to see and do along the way. I do like a suprise and we normally find one or two.

That is where the mapping projects came in I started this so I would know what is ahead, not everything, but essentials like Cafes, Food, Diesel and Pump outs, this has grown to over 3,000 locations and is still growing.

Well over the past couple of months I have added Canal/River Rings to our mapping project, these maps list everything I have found for my other maps, but dedicated to just that ring.

Canal Ring Maps

We have also the original maps we started with.

General UK Maps

All these maps are sharing a database of locations that is be added to daily, so if you find something new I should have included please let me know you can use our Facebook group to keep in touch.

New Sofabed from Sofabed Barn

When we purchased Floydtilla, she came with two swivel reclining chairs with some foot stools, very comfy but not very practical when you have 3-4 people onboard.

We had been on the lookout for a sofa, but had not found anything that did not take up all the space we had, then we found out about Sofabed Barn and they also where going to have a stand at the Crick boat show, saving us a lot of guess work and we could test everything out before purchasing, they also have a section on their web site just for Narrowboat seating.

At the show we sat on everything we could, we got some good advice from their team, especially Gary, who explains the options. Finally we selected a Belvedere 3 seater sofa bed, while it says 3 seater, its an easy four at a push, doubling our comfy seating while taking up about the same space and we also now have an extra double bed when needed.

Obi waiting to see what is happening now we have cleared the lounge.
Obi waiting to see what is happening now we have cleared the lounge.

Communication with Sofabed Barn, was good, if I asked a question them email of messaged back very quickly, we had a delivery deadline and they exceeded our expectations.

The Sofabed was delivered in their own van, much better that using a courier, they carried it to the boat, unpacked it built it ( I was not expecting that) and removed all the rubbish and packaging. They have installed a few of these it seems, would have taken me the rest of the afternoon, they tock about 10 minutes.

The new Sofabed installed
The new Sofabed installed

The cost of our new Sofa was £648 delivered, we had paid a £200 deposit at the show, paying the rest on delivery, we are very happy with that.

I would highly recommend this company easy to deal with 5 star service.

Canal Events July 2024

Very popular month for Canal and River Events, follow the link to our maps and more details about the event and links to their web site.

6 to 7th July 2024 – RCTA Coventry Floating Market Coventry Canal

6 to 7th July 2024 – RCTA Apsley Floating Market Grand Union Canal

19 to 21 July 2024 – Gnosal Canal Festival Shropshire Union Canal 

19 to 21st July 2024 – Thames Traditional Boat Festival River Thames

19 to 21st July 2024 – Upton Blues Festival River Seven

19th to 21st July 2024 – Bristol Harbour Festival Bristol Harbour / River Avon

20th July 2024 – Northwich River Festival River Weaver

20 to 21st July 2024 – Cosgrove Canal Festival and Craft Fair Grand Union Canal 

20th & 21st July 2024 – Bedford River Festival Great River Ouse

27th July 2024 – Linslade Canal Festival Grand Union

27-28 Jul 2024 – Audlem Historic Boat Festival Shropshire Union Canal 

27-28th July 2024 – RCTA Market Drayton Summer Floating Market Shropshire Union Canal