Sometimes I wonder how I manage to get up in the mornings, and other times I marvel we manage to get anything done at all, such are the myriad distractions on offer but to be able to wonder, to marvel at something created by man or nature can be truly breath-taking and inspirational. We’ve encounteredContinue reading “Wonder is wonderfully inspiring”
Author Archives: pickingupducks
Managing the stresses and strains of travelling
Managing stress applies as much to the seemingly laidback life on a boat as it does to bricks and mortar, 9-5 working, or travelling across the country in other ways. This week has seen us travel from Barlaston to Anderton, a voyage of 34 miles and 41 locks through the heart of the Potteries, undergroundContinue reading “Managing the stresses and strains of travelling”
The week that was was – high speed, highly positive and unexpected
If we had any doubts about why we live afloat this week has surely banished them. We started our week in Braunston, the Northamptonshire junction which has been a focus of the waterways for writers, artists and photographers for generations. It used to be buzzing with working boats, but now houses a flourishing marina, theContinue reading “The week that was was – high speed, highly positive and unexpected”
Time for a change
At last we’re off – heading to new waterways, new horizons and new adventures. It seems like we’ve been treading water for the past few months, waiting for the London Marathon to come and go, waiting for the date for our welding work to be done – which has been literally lifechanging. We’ve been soContinue reading “Time for a change”
Heavy metal changes our lives
What a week that was – a week that’s wrought a change we’ve dreamed of ever since we bought our boat in 2018. For years now we’ve battled daily with the heavy main stern hatch, which extends the full width of the boat. We open it in the mornings to head out into each day.Continue reading “Heavy metal changes our lives”
Probation – for us and a new crewmate
It’s 5 months since our gorgeous cocker spaniel Cola left us, and they have been long, often lonely months without him, for me at least. We had 15 years together, and he was a brilliant family dog. Non dog lovers may struggle to understand so I shall try and spell out how it has felt.Continue reading “Probation – for us and a new crewmate”
Complete – appreciate – but dynamism demands we look ahead, not back
A massive thank you from me this week to every generous sponsor whose input willed me on and helps the incredible charity MIND to support individuals with mental health issues, mild and major, and their families. We all need to feel good about being here on this earth, about being us and any work thatContinue reading “Complete – appreciate – but dynamism demands we look ahead, not back”
REPETITION. Boring? Essential? Meditative? The only way to tackle a challenge?
Repetition is a key part of mindfulness, of meditation, of taking time to stop the rush and recalibrate ourselves. It appears in many ways and many forms – the regularity of the stride in running or walking (as so many will experience this weekend), the rhythmic movements of knitting, crochet and many other crafts orContinue reading “REPETITION. Boring? Essential? Meditative? The only way to tackle a challenge?”
Maintenance payments- necessary evil or precautionary tale
We all need a bit of maintenance at times – some of us more than others. Homes, offices, boats and ourselves. The saying goes that BOAT stands for Bring Out Another Thousand, so we’re lucky that all this month’s work has been reasonably economical, although it’s adding up and has cost dearly in time. RegularContinue reading “Maintenance payments- necessary evil or precautionary tale”
Don’t get sent to Coventry
If living and working on the move has taught us anything it’s not to take anything at face value, or live by what others tell you. Go out there and find out for yourself, and test your preconceptions, particularly if they were built on hearsay, or experiences from the past – things change over time,Continue reading “Don’t get sent to Coventry”
Pickingupducks 