Extracts from our Guest book

Review from our inaugural cruise in May 2024

This was our very first cruise, using hire boats from Calcutt Locks, and Jennie and Pete embraced our first cruise with enthusiasm.  Although we've tweaked the experience considerably since this first cruise, and are now on our own boat, we've tried to keep the same spirit of hospitiality and unexpected luxury.

A 2-Week walking holiday around the warwickshire Ring

A slightly unusual trip that I did for three Canadians that took a lot of planning, Penny, Jean, and Jane were looking for a way to walk the Warwickshire Ring, which is 100 miles of towpath, and 92 locks.  It was an absolute delight to host these three Canadian 'Magpies' for a two-week trip on one of the hire boats we used before buying our own boat Dragonfly.

A Much More Exciting Experience Than Expected

We (three) Canadian women (in our 70s) are putting this on our Bucket Lists to immediately strike off with BIG SMILES on our faces as we remember the laughs, the challenges and the sumptuous food !!!

It wasn’t as we’d imagined. It was better! The skills patiently taught showed us we weren’t too old to learn and that we had the needed strength. Now we know how to set locks with windlasses, spot good mooring locations, start / run the boat engine, use ropes and knots techniques to moor, and one of us learned to steer the boat on occasion.

Paul – You’re on par with any of the Michelin Guide chefs. The delicious food served in gorgeous presentations on beautiful linen tablecloths made us feel special and pampered with fine dining at its best.

Our Best Wishes to you Paul and to your kind, helpful wife Teresa. You both worked hard to make this holiday among our BEST and MOST UNUSUAL. And you MORE THAN SUCCEEDED !

The PJs (ie Penny, Jean & Jane) aka The Three Magpies

The First Trip on our New Boat

Tim and Paula joined us from the US for our first trip on our new boat.  They requested a Vegan menu, which gave me a double challenge - getting used to working in my new kitchen, while working with food that I don't normally cook.  As with all my cruises, but especially this one, I asked them to tell me how I could improve the experience for my next guests....

13th July 2024

As a Shakedown cruise on a new boat I really can't think of any advice.  The extended weekend was superb in every way.  Our every whim anticipated.

Chef Paul catered for us and took our status as Vegans by the horn and trusted us to such delicacies it will be hard to come back to being land-lubbers.

The boat is well equipped, spacious for two.  The trip down the canal was magical.  The bed was very comfortable.  the linens cozy.  Nice that the shower fit a 6 ft husband - lots of room & hot water.

Learned a lot about narrowboats, took turns at locks - cranking, pushing & pulling.  Added water to the boat.  Tim steared through the locks!  We
broke-in the BBQ.  I could even watch my NYC Evening News - I can't help it - it is a compulsion!

Fantasized on way down the canal, surround by ducks, sheep, a family of swans, a crane or two, lilies, trees, willows, a bountiful scenery of water, sky and landscape into a carefree existence.

Paul & Teresa even helped send us onto our next adventure with our taxi connection to Stratford-Upon-Avon and even a Vegan restaurant to try there!

As Ratty would say "There is nothing half so much worth doing as messing about in boats."

Tim & Paula (the States) from 2 "Slow" Americans

Tim and Paula at the end of their 3-Night, 4-Day cruise on our new boat Dragonfly.  Relaxed, refreshed, and ready for their next adventure during their 3-month tour of Europe. 

A 3-Night cruise to market Harborough

Ed and Marilyn chose to take the 3-night route to Market Harborough, thus avoiding the more arduous locks on the Leicester Line.  This route still passes through the amazing Foxton Locks, where volunteers help first-time boaters to experience working the locks.  They were our first guests after installing our ship-wide Alexa system, so they were able to spend the whole trip listening to the 1960's folk groups that they grew up with!

our first 6-Night trip Towards Leicester

This route involved going through the 10 Foxton Staircase locks on Day 2, and on Day 4 going through 12 locks towards Leicester.  As Jane alludes to in this review, you might prefer the route towards Braunston which doesn't include the extra locks as they can be a bit demanding.  Conversely, I can help you plan your trip with walking and exploring opportunities if you want a slightly more active experience.

The Three Amigos and the Dragonfly Adventure!

The narrowboat experience and exploring the canals is always a unique travel experience.  The Dragonfly is a lovely boat.  So very comfortable and well stocked with provisions.  The definate highlight was the excellent food so skillfully planned and prepared.  The menu reflected attention to preferences and was varied.  Flavourful and unexpected food combinations.  Many things I hope we might replicate. 

While willing and able, the Lock experience proved to be demanding.  We enjoyed our explorations off the boat and would have welcomed more of them along the way.  Meat pies, gin & tonics, and making friends with the locals make for additional good memories. 

We feel much appreciation and gratitude for all the effort that went into hosting us.

Terre, Adam, Jane

Our Second Year of Operation

2025 was our second season, and we certainly went into it a lot more prepared than we were the first season.  Over the winter we chased out the issues with our new boat, which included changing the lead acid batteries to more powerful and robust lithium ones, and adding an additional skin tank to keep the engine cool.  We also made a few upgrades to the kitchen to make it easier to navigate.

...Then a (Very) Dry Summer closed Foxton Locks for 3 months

From July through to the end of September Foxton Locks was closed.  The locks are normally a large feature of our trips, but fortunately we were able to explore other parts of the canal with our guests.

30th September 2025

We have had a wonderful 6 days on this very tastefully furnished boat with all the luxuries it provides.

Very lucky with the weather.

We were not sure Paul would want such fussy guests - one doesn’t eat meat or anything green! - the other coughs and chokes anywhere near black pepper + spices! Paul rose to the challenges and we have had superb meals, some days giving himself extra work by making separate meals for us. Home meals will seem very mundane!

Foxton Locks not working due to low water levels but we happily went all along the other parts. One of us tried to recapture confident steering from 35 years ago - unsuccessfully! Just managed to go under low lying branches and knocked off the chimney! Paul has a very heavy magnet and tried “fishing” for it but to no avail. However, in some form of compensation Paul found and rescued a water bottle he had lost the previous week. 

We had a restful and regenerative time taking in the the picturesque canals and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. We go home feeling happy and refreshed (and still with full tummies!).

Thank you Paul and Teresa. Wishing you all the best for the future.

Kie and Ann Stewart, South West Scotland

Is Dragonfly The Ultimate Cure for Jet Lag?

When David and Rachel said that they were intending on coming straight from Heathrow after an eight-hour plane trip I was extremely dubious that they would be able to make it all the way across London and get to North Kilworth in time for departure.  They proved me wrong!

14th September 2025

Paul,

Our 3-day amble along the canal was exactly the right way to adjust to the 8-hr time change. The quiet, the scenery, the cuisine, the accommodation, could not have been better.

Your planning and execution of every detail was perfect, and we are most grateful.

You let us be lazy and spoiled us to the nth degree. We will treasure these memories always, for the experience brought us a relaxing time and filled us with joy.

It was delightful to meet your wife!

Blessings,

David & Rachel, Pasadena, Calif.

Winter Getaway Overnight trips

In 2025 we introduced overnight trips with discounted winter rates.  These trips are mostly targeted at residents in the surrounding area who are looking for something a bit different to do to celebrate that special anniversary or romantic occasion.

26th January 2025

Hi Paul + Dragonfly

Thank you for being the perfect host, teacher, and captain.

The taster experience was too short.  Thank for the crash course in boating, the meticulously planned+ excellently prepared meals.

Loved the opportunity to steer the boat and negotiating Foxton Locks.

Many Thanks and Best Wishes for your future adventures.

Mike + Michaela (M&M) Kettering, UK