Research says loss of a partner with whom you’ve lived for many years is often made harder to bear because of the reaction of others. What the researchers refer to relates to the heart-rending loss of a pet. They say that often results in profound grief that is unacknowledged by those around, and this extendsContinue reading “How to live happier and make the world better”
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Farcical planning – a feelgood essential right now
Sleep has come easily this week. As the rain regularly patters or thunders on the metal roof of our home, it becomes the only sound – white noise that drowns everything out and sends you to sleep. On the other side of the coin, when you wake in the velvety darkness wondering what woke you,Continue reading “Farcical planning – a feelgood essential right now”
Diurnal wobble and other experiences
It’s been a strange first week of the year – combining unsettling new lessons and exciting experiences, with comforting returns to familiarity. All giving a chance to learn, reflect, and move better equipped into the months ahead. We started the week on the Coventry Canal at Fradley Junction. The Mucky Duck aka The Swan provedContinue reading “Diurnal wobble and other experiences”
Go slow in 2023
We float peacefully into yet another year in a world overshadowed by conflict, disputes and environmental threats. Sometimes it can seem that there is little we can do but we do all have a chance to reflect and reset our personal compasses for the year ahead to make a difference. Aboard nb Preaux we’re thinkingContinue reading “Go slow in 2023”
Christmas Wishes
We’re very aware this year particularly, of how strange a time of the year this is – so joyous and with plenty for many, which makes it appear even harder, more lonely and more lacking for many others. We know we are hugely fortunate to celebrate this week with family and loved ones. We’re alsoContinue reading “Christmas Wishes”
Frozen assets
Our floating home and office is currently trapped in rural Staffordshire with us inside. We are quite literally frozen solid in the canal, unable to move because of thick ice. To move would damage the blacking that protects the steel hull, and we’ve only just had the boat reblacked. That’s a regular maintenance job everyContinue reading “Frozen assets”
Interrogating the season
Bet it’s bad in winter – you don’t live on it all year round do you – guess you don’t move at this time of year? Constant questions boaters face at this time of year. Our responses are usually always the same – it’s cosy inside as small spaces are easier to heat – it’sContinue reading “Interrogating the season”
Cutting edge philosophy
This dramatic sculpture, made from over 100,000 knives, tours towns and cities across the UK as a statement against knife crime. I’ve had the privilege of working with young people seeing the Knife Angel first-hand this week as it arrived in Milton Keynes where it will be officially unveiled today (Saturday 3 December). It’s aContinue reading “Cutting edge philosophy”
Who knows what lies ahead? We can but hope.
The narrowboat travelling life can easily be seen as a metaphor for every life. We never know what’s round the corner or what tomorrow, the next week, the next hour or even the next minute will bring. If it’s bad now, it may well be brilliant in a moment (or not) but change is certain.Continue reading “Who knows what lies ahead? We can but hope.”
In deep water living afloat
We have water water everywhere, under us, over us but not a drop in our tank! Finnish readers (or reader to be accurate) may be startled to know that in England since the year our narrowboat home first went in the water (1989), water provision has been privatised. Until then it was considered a PublicContinue reading “In deep water living afloat”
Pickingupducks 