We’re John, Lorraine and Boasley, continuous cruisers sharing the reality of life aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit as we slowly explore Britain’s waterways.
People often ask us how we ended up swapping life on land for life afloat. The truth is, it wasn’t something we’d planned for years or had always dreamed of doing. Like many people, we were looking for a different way of life – one that offered a slower pace, new experiences and the freedom to explore.
Moving onto a narrowboat meant leaving behind more than just bricks and mortar. No matter how much we thought we’d decluttered, we quickly discovered we still had far too much stuff! Those first few weeks aboard were a steep learning curve as we found a place for everything, adapted to living in a much smaller space and learned how to make our floating home work for us.
Since then, Round Tuit has become much more than just a boat – she’s our home and our gateway to Britain’s incredible network of canals and rivers. Every cruise brings new places to discover, fascinating history to uncover, wonderful people to meet and, of course, the occasional unexpected challenge that keeps life interesting.
This website is where we share that journey. From practical advice and honest experiences of continuous cruising to our latest adventures, canal-inspired artwork and the little moments that make life on the water so special, we hope you’ll enjoy travelling along with us.
Life on a narrowboat is unlike any other. Some days we’re cruising through peaceful countryside, spotting kingfishers and enjoying the tranquillity of the waterways. Other days we’re battling the weather, searching for a water point, tackling boat maintenance or wondering why a simple job has turned into an all-day project!
Living aboard has taught us to slow down and appreciate the simple things. We measure journeys in locks rather than miles, plan our travels around the seasons and have discovered that some of the best moments are the unexpected ones – a friendly chat on the towpath, a beautiful sunset over the canal or finding the perfect mooring after a day’s cruising.
Here on Narrowboat Round Tuit, we share the reality of life afloat. Alongside our cruising adventures, you’ll find practical advice, honest reviews, helpful guides and plenty of tips we’ve picked up along the way. We don’t pretend life on a narrowboat is always easy, but we wouldn’t swap it for anything. We hope that by sharing both the highlights and the challenges, we can help and inspire others who are curious about life on Britain’s inland waterways.
Alongside our cruising adventures, we write practical guides for people who are new to boating, explain topics like continuous cruising, review products we’ve genuinely used and found useful, and explore the history, wildlife and places that make Britain’s canals so fascinating.
We also know that life aboard isn’t perfect – and that’s part of its charm. We celebrate the beautiful moments, but we’re equally happy to share the unexpected breakdowns, the lessons we’ve learned and the little adaptations that make living on a narrowboat easier.
Our canal-inspired artwork and gifts are another way we share our love of the waterways. Every design is inspired by the places we’ve visited, the wildlife we’ve encountered and the simple pleasures of life afloat.
Whether you’re researching your first narrowboat, planning a canal holiday, already living aboard or simply enjoy following life on the water from home, we hope you’ll find something here to inform, inspire and make you smile.
Lorraine
I’m the storyteller behind Narrowboat Round Tuit. I love sharing our adventures, creating practical guides for fellow boaters and researching the history, wildlife and interesting places we discover along the waterways. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me designing our canal-inspired artwork.
John
John is our skipper, engineer and chief problem solver. Whether he’s steering Round Tuit through a tricky lock flight, carrying out essential maintenance or finding a way to fix something that wasn’t supposed to break, he’s the one who keeps our floating home moving. He loves exploring new stretches of canal and is happiest when we’re out cruising.
Boasley
Boasley is our four-legged crew member and takes his duties very seriously. He’s always ready to supervise lock operations, inspect every new mooring, greet friendly passers-by and remind us when it’s time for a break. His favourite things are long towpath walks, plenty of cuddles and making sure no snack goes unnoticed!
Britain’s canals and rivers are full of history, wildlife, beautiful scenery and wonderful people, and we believe they’re one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Through Narrowboat Round Tuit, we hope to encourage more people to discover and appreciate these unique waterways, whether that’s by taking a canal holiday, buying their first narrowboat or simply enjoying the slower pace of life from the towpath.
We created this website to share our experiences honestly and to help others learn from them. Along the way, we’ve discovered plenty of tips, solved more than a few problems and learned lessons we wish we’d known when we first moved aboard. If sharing those experiences makes someone else’s boating journey a little easier or gives them the confidence to take the plunge, then it’s been worthwhile.
Above all, we hope Narrowboat Round Tuit feels like a welcoming place for anyone with an interest in Britain’s inland waterways. Whether you’re here to read our latest adventures, pick up practical advice, browse our canal-inspired artwork or simply enjoy life on the water from wherever you are, we’re delighted you’ve found us and hope you’ll enjoy following our journey.
So, grab a cuppa, have a look around, and we hope you’ll enjoy following our adventures as much as we enjoy living them.
Introducing Bobbin on the Water
Our story began long before the shop – back when we were simply documenting life aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit through our travel diary. What started as a way to capture the quiet beauty of canal life soon became a deeper creative journey. The slow rhythm of the waterways, the wildlife that greeted us each morning, and the ever‑changing views outside our window began to shape how we saw the world.
As we travelled, I found myself sketching the small, meaningful moments that made this lifestyle so special. Illustrations grew from pockets of stillness: a heron lifting off the bow, a misty sunrise over the cut, the gentle hum of a day spent cruising. Over time, those sketches evolved into a desire to share the charm and character of canal life in a more tangible way.
That’s when the idea for the Bobbin on the Water brand took shape – a way to turn our stories and illustrations into thoughtful, made‑to‑order pieces that celebrate slow living, mindful creativity and the beauty found in everyday moments on the water.
My creative process is rooted in the world we see as we travel – the traditional canal art that decorates the waterways, the modern interpretations found along the towpath, and the flora and fauna that surround us on every journey. Each design begins digitally, inspired by the colours, patterns and stories that make canal life so distinctive.
From bold roses and castles to contemporary canal‑inspired motifs, I sketch and refine each illustration with care, blending heritage with a fresh, modern feel. The wildlife we encounter (from curious ducks to elegant herons) often finds its way into my work, adding a touch of the natural world to every piece.
Once the artwork is complete, the designs are brought to life on a range of made‑to‑order products, including clothing and household items such as t‑shirts, mugs and notebooks. Every item is created with intention, allowing you to bring a little piece of canal life into your everyday routine.
At the heart of our brand is a simple mission: to celebrate the beauty of canal life and share the stories, colours and character of the waterways through thoughtful, meaningful design. Everything we create is inspired by the slow rhythm of travelling aboard Narrowboat Round Tuit – a reminder to pause, notice and appreciate the small moments that make life feel full.
Our values guide every illustration, every product and every decision we make:
- Mindful Creativity – taking inspiration from the world around us and creating with intention, not haste.
- Celebrating Everyday Beauty – finding charm in quiet mornings, wildlife encounters and the heritage of the canals.
- Honouring Canal Culture – blending traditional and modern canal art to keep its spirit alive in a fresh, contemporary way.
- Sustainably Made Products – reducing waste by creating items only when they’re needed.
- Connection Through Storytelling – sharing our journey so others can experience a little of life on the water.
These values shape not just what we make, but why we make it – to bring a touch of canal-side calm, creativity and character into everyday life.
What sets our brand apart is the life we live and the stories we tell. Every design begins with something real – a moment from our travels, a piece of canal heritage, or the wildlife we meet along the way. This isn’t trend‑led artwork or mass‑produced imagery; it’s a collection shaped by lived experience on the waterways.
I blend traditional canal art with modern illustration, creating a style that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Our designs carry the character of the canals, the charm of life afloat and the gentle pace that inspires everything we do.
As a small, independent studio, every product is created with intention. Each item is made‑to‑order, reducing waste and ensuring that what you receive is crafted just for you. It’s personal, thoughtful and rooted in the places we travel – a little piece of canal life you can bring into your home.
Whether you’re dreaming of owning a narrowboat, planning your first holiday afloat or already living the canal life, we’re glad you’re here. We hope our stories, advice and artwork inspire you to slow down and enjoy Britain’s wonderful waterways.