Summertime and the living (and working) is easy..

The long hot days of summer are back with a vengeance as I write. Living, as well as working afloat, has a different feel.

We live and work differently in this type of weather. Because we are involved in supporting a major community event in Leicestershire this weekend, meeting up with friends and family, we aren’t travelling although we are pottering about a bit, so we aren’t cooling the boat with through breeze from movement.

We are then moored up much of the time, but  look to moor in semi shade. We seek enough shade to keep the boat (and us) cool, but enough sun for the solar panels to charge the batteries to give us what we need in terms of power.

For us that means power to run the laptop, power the wifi, cool the fridge (the most power-hungry), charge phones, provide lights, plus power for the water pump so we can access the water in the tank, and flush the loo. We are fortunate to have gained an average each day this week of 401 watt hours a day from the solar which means even being in partial shade, we have enough to top our batteries back up to 100% each day.

During the day we keep the very effective curtains (recycled duvet covers with blackout linings) closed on the sun side. We open every hatch, door, and available window hopper, removing hopper glass where we can (turns out on this boat that’s only one…).

The dog in his black fur coat is wise. He takes to lying pressed flat against the cool floor which has no insulation between it and the hull being only ballast. The hull lies in the water and theoretically stays cool that way, so he’s wise. He alternates between lying flat on the floor, and lying on his Aldi pet cooling mat which is draped on his sofa (yes, he’s taken over a sofa for himself as all our visitors are aware).

It’s tricky where we are for him to swim because it’s not easy to get in and out of the water but he’s managing to keep cool, and managing the occassional evening swim. He also enjoys drinks on evening walks from many generous boaters.

Working hours for us are tending to be early and late – apart from online Teams meetings for me which come mid morning – fortunately before the heat has built to levels that impede thought processes. The main issue I’ve found is that one of the trees giving us much-needed shade is a plum, and so I have to cut my camera periodically on calls whilst I pursue plum-fuelled wasps around the boat to escort them out.

The weather is ideal for getting the washing out on the line and it dries rapidly whilst I’m working, ready for when we want to move on after work. Rotary washing lines can’t stay up on the move – bridges, trees and bushes being a bit of a hazard or we would be a hazard to them!

Moving is itself a challenge at the moment- around 10% of the network is closed or facing restrictions because of water shortages. Notices from Canal and River Trust ping into our inboxes almost daily.

Water shortages mean low water levels but also create blockages as weakened trees crash into waterways. Our routes to our next destinations are limited and circuitous as a result. We are planning our route north but recognise it may change day by day.

Steve’s working on the boat too – altering the bathroom to give us more storage as we now have an extra toilet cassette to store. This was the product of our Covid time, a third cassette so that if needs be we can cruise for around a week without needing to find a waste point. It will be handy in the winter if we’re iced in for that long too.

Ah…winter…a comforting thought. Being able to regulate heat with layers, quiet canals and toasty warm stove time. Steinbeck said: “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” For me the heat of summer adds appeal to the depths of winter.

Back in baking season – we need to make the most of what we have. The elderberries are laden with lush black fruit so its time to make spiced elderberry cordial and gin.

It also means that we’ve enjoyed some astonishingly clear skies allowing us to enjoy the Sturgeon Moon over water this week – another truly beautiful gift of nature.

So they predict we might have a much needed downpour in the coming week. The combines are working through the night to gather in the harvest while they can. In the meantime spare a thought for me this weekend – apparently organisers of the fantastic festival in the riverside village where we used to live were unable to find my previous Peppa Pig costume (phew – that’s quite a relief in this heat!).

Now though they’re looking for me to be half a camel…or a dragon/dinosaur. Having failed to find someone else who wants to drape themselves in beige fur with me and parade through a village high street in the midday sun it appears the dino/dragon might be the solution. Photos promised next week – if I survive!