Our Story

About us:

 We are Julian, Amy & Friday (the canine crew member), liveaboard boaters since 2001, 2015 and 2017, respectively. 

Having both worked in Special needs education we gave up our day jobs at the end of 2018 to throw ourselves into the restoration of our beloved narrowboat Antares and to build our businesses; ‘Antares Gifts’ and ‘Songs from Bonnie’.  

After visiting Stone Floating Market in 2015 we decided that one day we would become floating traders ourselves. We purchased narrowboat Antares in 2017 and the restoration began.

​

​

Narrowboat Antares:

Antares is a 1972 narrowboat with a Rugby hull and a Lister engine. When we purchased Antares, she had a wooden superstructure which was in need of some TLC. During the first stage of restoration, we soon realised that the superstructure and so the entire interior including electrics and plumbing needed to be completely replaced.

The restoration of Antares has truly been labour of blood, sweat, tears, love and laughter!

​

​

The businesses:

Antares Gifts; Travelling around the canal network from April to October, we are licensed roving canal traders. During the winter months we live on our other narrowboat ‘Bonnie’ and narrowboat Antares becomes our place of work where we run the website, restock for the following season and make hand made gifts.

​

Songs from Bonnie; is a website dedicated to teaching Maths and English through song. Between us we have over 30 years teaching experience. During the winter months Antares becomes a recording studio for Julian (the songwriter/musician) to compose and record songs. Amy (not a musical bone in her body!) assists in managing the website content for Songs from Bonnie.