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January 2025 issue

On the cover of the January issue… Our feature boat, Speedy Whippet II, cruising the Trent & Mersey Canal near Barton Marina.

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January 2025 on sale from 29 November

A Bigger Bespoke Boat

Boat Review

After choosing to upgrade their narrowboat for more space and hybrid propulsion, Richard and Alison Gardiner turned once again to Aqua Narrowboats. Mark Langley looks at their new craft

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In Tom Rolt's Wake - part 2

Explore The Canals of the South Midlands

Heading up the GU Leicester Line, Paul Miles continues his recreation of the extended cruise documented in Tom Rolt’s Narrow Boat

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A Cadbury's Boatman

Looking Back

Following on from our feature on the chocolate-makers canal connections in the last issue, Richard Hill tells us of his late grandfather’s carrying work for the company

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WW Guide to the Avon Ring

Cruising Guide

Two canals, two rivers, a sprinkling of historic towns and the myriad attractions of Stratford-upon-Avon. This is one of the fi nest cruising circuits in the land, says Steve Elliot

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Canal Christmas Quiz

Quiz

Put your waterways knowledge to the test and win one of £350-plus worth of prizes

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Springer into Action

Reader's Boat

Could renovating a tired 1978 narrowboat prove a cost-effective way of living afloat? Josie Adnitt was determined to find out…

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From Diesel to Electric

Hire-boating Holiday

Neil Barnett swaps his diesel-powered floating home for an all-electric hire- boat on a Mon & Brec Canal holiday

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Starting Again Afloat

Reader's Story

Continuous cruisers Rach and James Annandale began new lives and businesses afloat in 2024. They tell Amelia Saxena about their first few months aboard

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Boat Holidays with Pay

Looking Back

We look back on a short-lived 1950s scheme that saw hire-boat holidaymakers paid for carrying cargo

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Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas Gifts

Stocking fillers and present ideas inspired by our inland waterways network

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Keeping Canal Art Alive

Around the Waterways

Josie Adnitt speaks to four professional boat painters about the future of traditional signwriting and narrowboat decoration

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Derby's Deadly Canal Lock

Last Word

Bobby Cowling explores the history of a particularly hazardous part of the lost Derby Canal

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