People often ask how we manage, living as happy narrowboat nomads, to access the services they take for granted like doctors and dentists.
Fortunately we haven’t yet needed anything in an emergency and even more fortunately we are continuous cruisers in the UK with its incredible NHS (something we must fight to protect).
We have kept a postal address. Like many, we have kept a house and for a consideration, our tenant looks after our post. We can’t remain on the electoral role there or our tenant ends up paying increased council tax. We remain registered with a doctor and dentist near there – which was invaluable when I needed referring to a breast cancer clinic last year.
This week though was sorting both our flu jabs and a Covid jab for me. Having succumbed finally to Covid when we were on the Erewash and painfully struggled our way back across the Trent, onto the River Soar whilst sweating and shaking, with each lock mechanism taking ages to wind and every gate taking two of us to move just to get close to services and supplies, we don’t want to go through that again. If the boosters lessen the effects or protect us then we are taking them – whatever they are for! Living a nomadic life you know that prevention is better than cure.
We found we could both get flu jabs at a walk-in van in Nantwich by the memorial and conveniently opposite a rather good bakers.
There was a queue, friendly, good natured, a but only about 10 minutes long. As one lady put it, “Better that than the flu and it gives me time to nip over and get sausage rolls from Chatwins.”
Steve managed his covid jab some weeks ago at a van on the Stoke on Trent campus of Staffordshire uni folĺowing an email telling him he was eligible. I wasn’t old enough to go with him, fortunately as it turned out, because he nipped into the Students’ Union afterwards and indulged in the worst cup of hot brown water he said he’s had for many a year. I’d have been less than impressed too – liking good coffee as I do!
Enjoying a parkrun in the autumn sunshine in Crewe last Saturday I met two delightful ladies, and heard about a walk-in covid jab centre for anyone over 50 in the town. Only on a Thursday between 10 and 4 was the info, be prepared to queue and don’t get there after 3 or you’ll likely be turned away.
The info was spot on – behind the Baroque splendour of Crewe Town Hall adorned with Frederick Shenk’s elegantly pensive figures, stands the old market hall.
Bereft of stalls and firmly shuttered, it has been taken over by NHS and St John Ambulance efficiently jabbing away, ably aided by RVS volunteers handing out forms and keeping our lengthy queue organised.
Just over an hour later I had been regaled with details of American vaccination politics (Republicans don’t get jabbed but Democrats do apparently), heard that its cheaper to drive to Leigh near Wigan to get fuel and shopping, and been privy to a heated discussion about where to find the cheapest parking in Crewe (there isn’t any), and I was at the front of the queue. Just moments later I had had my dose of Spikevax (I kid you not), administered by another parkrunner as it happens.
Our productively preventative morning saw us home in time for a late lunch – of Chatwins excellent sausage rolls of course!
Looking at the state of government our next urgent priority must be sorting our votes – I’ve got as far as downloading the Electoral registration form for someone with no fixed or permanent abode. All I need now is to get to somewhere I can print off the 10 required pages and then I need to fill them in, send them off and we’ll be ready for a General Election.
Next week- insights into an autumn foraging course! Can’t wait to pass on what I learn.
Pickingupducks 