Life Afloat on Narrowboat Audrey Too

Boating on the canals and rivers, from London to Yorkshire

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Flooding in York

In York the towpath beside the museum gardens is flooded, and the moorings are hidden below about a metre and a half’s rise in the water level.

Selby to York

There was a surprising amount of floating junk to avoid on the tidal river between Selby and York, mostly large logs and branches but also a dead cow.

Paul Widdowson boat in Sheffield

Narrowboat Audrey Too was built by Paul Widdowson.We hadn’t seen another boat by the same builder, but on arriving at Sheffield’s Victoria Quays, we were put near to another Paul Widdowson built boat called Trilby.

Through Tinsley Locks to Sheffield

Alisha’s doing temp work near Sheffield until the end of June, so we’ve decided to stay there for a few weeks. The Tinsley Flight of 11 small locks has to be traversed to reach Sheffield. It didn’t start raining until we were at the penultimate lock, and the shower was heavy but quick. On arrival in Sheffield’s Victoria Quays there was a rainbow.

Sprotbrough on the River Don

We really love this mooring in Sprotbrough, a few miles from Doncaster. The village is charming and hidden behind woodland, so whilst it’s quiet and secluded, there’s shops nearby. The Boat Inn on the opposite side of the River Don is handy for a coffee and pub meal.

Sykehouse Lock to Doncaster in windy weather

Grief, it was windy! It’s difficult to drive a narrowboat when the wind’s strong. Had a bumpy night, with little waves forming on the water and splashing constantly on the hull.

Narrowboat Audrey Too’s interior

What’s it like inside a sixty foot narrowboat? Narrow, obviously. But also cosy. We have a living room, sizeable gallery (or kitchen), double bedroom, bathroom with shower, back bedroom with bunk beds, and a cruiser style back of the boat to stand on.

Clarence Dock, Leeds

This is the mooring we’ve staying on in Leeds over winter. Ours is the blue narrowboat with the cream roof, second from the left, between a dutch barge and a tug. Just outside our door is Mumtaz restaurant, which does superb Pakistani food.