Warning – chains, treats, images of underwear and a shoe crisis

I am cursing Boris…for a variety of reasons, but in this instance for forcing me to struggle through 12 bloody-minded locks in drizzle which turned to a downpour in a bid to escape his threatened lockdown and travel somewhere – anywhere!

We did it. We…

1.Beat Boris’s anticipated lockdown although like many I am weeping tears of confusion over the tiers confusion. I feel likely to breach the rules through ignorance rather than intent.

2. Made it off the river to the canal – makes flooding more unlikely although not impossible but increases the chances of being left aground by drained pounds and leaks… ah well…

3. Have dry clothes thanks to a daughter with washing machine and dryer and a cunning system over the stove which works well at night. If it’s up in the day we keep getting slapped in the face by wet whatever’s! Now moving further from family so we need to become self sufficient on the washing and drying front…

• 

Latest lessons learned… Always put on waterproofs at the first sign of rain or you end up putting them on over damp clothes…Don’t believe media or political PR hype over what the Government might do next…Take your time with trials that are a battle, going slowly might mean you spend longer in the rain but slow and sure works best…Keep a Thermos for instant hot drinks between locks – quick comforts count!

My new slow cooker is a multi-tasking delight.

The boat has a Morso Squirrel on board. It was here when we bought the boat, and has had considerable work this year to get it safely working well.

As a result it heats the boat (we have no central heating which may prove interesting in the depths of winter, and reduce visitors); it dries clothes (in small quantities as you have seen – apologies); and simultaneously produces warming treats of beautifully baked potatoes and full meals – what more could we ask?

It is also hugely relaxing to watch the patterns of dancing flames as evening falls.

On the subject of relaxation and treats we both had birthdays this week and indulged in buying ourselves some chains we’ve wanted for a while.

The nervous among you need not panic – this is nothing risqué – they hold the boat when mooring on piling. We find them much easier than the previous nappy pins we used to use (sure there is a more technical term…).

Mooring in the rain or cold is now quicker.

This really has been a time crammed with treats, new experiences and excitement. Our first time paying for overnight mooring – resulting in no mud walkways, wharf side showers, toilets, electricity all the time – thanks to Union Wharf at Market Harborough. Leisure cruising as we know it owes its existence to this delightful market town. Seventy years ago the Inland Waterways Association was launched at this compact Wharf. Now it’s a hub for holiday boats which are proving a popular staycation option in 2020. We found the holiday boat Spotted Wren housing some friends of ours – a lovely surprise.

The week brought Zoom and MS teams meetings as well as virtual visitors to the boat. Some of the latter brought wine (always welcome) and a certain very special small visitor brought another new perspective to our ever-changing life. He devoured the duck bread, gave us a fabulous excuse to jump in puddles, indulge in a steam train ride, and enjoy lots of singing.

Another highlight was a Michelin-starred dinner courtesy of our family Fab 4 and the amazing John’s House – an incredible experience and taste sensation.

Somehow we snaffled time to walk another section of the 100 mile Leicestershire Round. We are slowly walking our way along it all.

• 

We finished the week making the trip up Foxton Locks, a flight of locks which we have only ever descended before. This 75ft climb in 10 locks is arranged in two staircases of5 locks apiece. It is a feat of engineering which rightly attracts gongoozlers (idle spectators apparently). We ended up with welcome help from the fabulous volunteer Canal and Rivers Trust lockies but also about 7 small enthusiastic gongoozlers who were far from idle and happy to be marshalled into enthusiastic service on the lock gates! Result – 10 locks in under an hour.

Who knows where we will head next but after 5 weeks living on board we are

• still afloat and on the move
• still speaking to each other
• still trying to work out how to wash and dry anything big
• still trying to find a way of storing shoes in little space so the dog doesn’t carry them singly to us and drop them overboard – if he does it often enough we won’t have to worry as there won’t be any left! If anyone has any ideas on this front let me know.

I will be charting daily images from our journey on our Instagram pickingupducks if you fancy following that with the weekly blog taking a longer look at this, our alternative way through what is our new normal.