Guess what – we are still moored on the River Soar, and because we are back in flood again it seems we might be waiting a little longer! John Flower, a renowned landscape and architectural artist of the 18th and 19th centuries was known as ‘the Leicester artist’, and he knew the Soar intimately. HeContinue reading “Living in yesterday today”
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Changes
The world is full of gloom and uncertainty but our own small world has changed completely in these past few days too. A week ago after a a day of dry towpaths and sunshine, the evening turned to rain – torrential rain. All night it rained and by the time we awoke the towpath hadContinue reading “Changes”
Marching on amid uncertainty and warring factions
March – the start of meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On the 20th of the month, the Spring Equinox or in the Pagan calendar, Ostara, night and day will balance. It is also a time of flurries of movement on the inland waterways, as the annual winter works programme which creates necessary stoppages acrossContinue reading “Marching on amid uncertainty and warring factions”
From joy to sunken dreams – in a single week
Life has been reflected in the weather this week. Living so close to the elements, to nature makes us feel part of the environment around us. A single ray of sunshine above the floods this week has had a ridiculously positive impact on our spirits, and a single drop of rain delivers out of proportionContinue reading “From joy to sunken dreams – in a single week”
Everybody needs good neighbours
This week has made evident just how important a strong community is to us and society as a whole. We woke at the weekend to find the river had risen dramatically overnight, our pallet step was in danger of being washed away and the towpath had vanished underwater along with the pub car park nearby.Continue reading “Everybody needs good neighbours”
Best of all worlds and best for choice?
It is interesting to see your own way of life portrayed on television, particularly if it is a little different. We are familiar with Robbie Cumming’s Canal Boat Diaries and always thought them the most honest representation of how we found narrowboat life. Then there was Narrow Escapes which, while entertaining, bore little familiarity toContinue reading “Best of all worlds and best for choice?”
Signs, symbols and significance
Next Monday is Candlemas Day, a day traditionally of long range weather prediction, pancakes and of course, candles. Weather lore is more than folklore, but based on sensory observations over many years, changes in temperature, smell, sounds and sights. If Candlemas Day be fair and bright Winter will have another fight.(In other words there isContinue reading “Signs, symbols and significance”
Inspiring new beginnings amid the winds of change
How rapidly things change for us, and not just river levels! Last week we were awaiting the arrival of a grandchild. He finally arrived in the early hours of a Tuesday morning, a big lad whose arrival proved very uncomfortable for himself and his poor mum. Both are, we believe, recovering. He looks gorgeous andContinue reading “Inspiring new beginnings amid the winds of change”
Out of control
This has been a week of waiting. Waiting with anticipation and a little anxiety for a baby to arrive; waiting for the threatened rain and more flooding after things had begun to subside; waiting for news of the Skipper’s mum who was taken by ambulance to hospital; waiting for a damp proof course to cureContinue reading “Out of control”
Displacement activity including another named storm
This Storm Goretti, aka Storm Spaghetti as a certain 8-year old dubbed it this week has kept us guessing. We had a warning of “significant snowfall” so someone was expecting a snow day of making snowmen and sledging (as were his teachers). They weren’t the only ones severely disappointed when the snow failed to materialiseContinue reading “Displacement activity including another named storm”
Pickingupducks 