Blog is very short and very late this week because: We have been on holiday in North Yorkshire and Derbyshire enjoying sea, sand, and great company. Major birthday (Skipper) with family and friends party on a bigger boat than ours, minor birthday (me). Boat is back in the water after being blacked. Thanks Blisworth TunnelContinue reading “Oops!”
Author Archives: pickingupducks
Will we fail?
You join us on the edge. On the edge of major change. On the edge of a major quadrennial event. We are at last, after a long journey to get here, heading into dry dock tomorrow. We will cruise in, straps will be attached, water will be drained from underneath us, and the boat sidesContinue reading “Will we fail?”
All change
This week has been very different for us – 3 days helping with young family and now the Skipper is doing the same for older family. Amid this we have managed to catch up with old amd new boating friends (2 and 4 legged) over coffees, drinks, craft stalls, and bagels. We have seen familyContinue reading “All change”
Seasonal shifts
That is it. We have worked the last locks for a month or so (at least for our boat – we’ve already offered to lockwheel for some friends, gluttons for punishment as we are!). We are just 8 miles from where we are coming out of the water for maintenance, Boat Safety Survey and anContinue reading “Seasonal shifts”
Fabled travel and ways to live life
Aesop the famed Ancient Greek fabulist was said to have told the tale of the hare and the tortoise. One so fast, so fleet of foot, and one so slow to be ridiculed. We learn such fables as children, but so often forget them as adults. As adults so often we are encouraged to goContinue reading “Fabled travel and ways to live life”
A new year and time for a review
It’s the start of another year, a time to take stock and look ahead. That applies to us all, and particularly to us aboard nb Preaux our floating home and office. Six years ago we set off saying we would give it a go for two years and obviously we can’t count… This year hasContinue reading “A new year and time for a review”
Paneful reflections
There’s a fragile, colourful theme running throughout our lives. It’s a theme that the narrowboat part of our life, just one of the many beautiful homes we’ve lived in, now takes us from one to another discovery of new, exciting, palette reflecting something unique, often in unexpectrd places. Those colours are often not as fragileContinue reading “Paneful reflections”
Shocked into sense this week
Sometimes we all need a stark reminder to stop and take stock. This week has brought us some truly awful reminders. Routine can act as a blinkers for us, so that we fail to see the big picture, as we become bound up in the minutiae of careers, and daily life. Small issues can appearContinue reading “Shocked into sense this week”
From drought to escaping the flood in one (sl…ow) move
Having waved a fond farewell to wonderful friends from France with whom we’ve had an awesome week, I was just debating what to have for lunch (and as is my wont when I’ve been talking French all the time, debating with myself en français) when the Skipper announced we were on the move – NOW.Continue reading “From drought to escaping the flood in one (sl…ow) move”
Le service normal reprendra la semaine prochaine.
Apologies – spending time with old friends from Preaux on Preaux and in the National Forest. Normal service will be resumed next week. Have a great week in the meantime and thank you for all those rain dances which appear to be taking effect!
