I don’t know who I’m working for. I only know the effort I am now putting into living differently is hard work, but I can see some instant benefits, and that is encouraging, reaping rewards encourages increased action. I recognise it isn’t enough to work towards my own future, or that of my children orContinue reading “Future proofing for life”
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Value in reflection and remembrance
We are coming out of Lockdown 3 in a way that mirrors our life afloat – slow but sure. There’s no point in rushing things. Taking time can prevent accidents as I know too well. My own unscheduled, never-to-be-forgotten, plunge into the icy waters of the River Soar not far from a weir was theContinue reading “Value in reflection and remembrance”
Ice inside and out… nature lessons… and our few last nights locked down
To mark our extended stay here in Willington, South Derbyshire we commissioned a figurehead for the boat from the talented Paul and Christine on Foxtrot (@Foxtrotand Wood ‘N’ Crafts). Willington Will, our guiding mallard duck will see us right! We’ve also had our first Easter living on the boat so Happy Easter everyone. I reallyContinue reading “Ice inside and out… nature lessons… and our few last nights locked down”
Frightening fire onboard! Treats and making a living afloat.
The small 24 ft fibreglass cruiser behind us had a fire onboard on Sunday afternoon. The first I knew was clouds of what looked like yellow smoke billowing across the towpath – it turned out to be powder from a discharging fire extinguisher. The new boater on board fortunately was OK and so was hisContinue reading “Frightening fire onboard! Treats and making a living afloat.”
Highs, Lows, Lessons and Stats: 6 months on
Six months into casting off tethered lives… the three of us (2 x 2-legged and 1 x 4-legged) are still afloat and healthy. This week however – brought a disaster. On Monday I couldn’t trust myself to speak to Steve despite the fact he had managed an awesome 20-mile virtual race the day before. InsteadContinue reading “Highs, Lows, Lessons and Stats: 6 months on”
Springing forward and spring cleaning
On the water, the towpaths and in the wider world outside there is a sense of movement all around us – even if we are still static, until at least 12 April it appears! To avoid intense frustration building up we are taking action. It’s been a busy week for us both workwise but amidContinue reading “Springing forward and spring cleaning”
Education, inspiration and pure entertainment – it’s all in a name
The names we bestow upon inanimate objects tell us so much – generally about ourselves – our identity, personality, sense of humour (or lack of it). Onomastics or onomatology, the study of names, absorbs some people for years. Looking at narrowboat names I can understand why – they offer up a entire world of education,Continue reading “Education, inspiration and pure entertainment – it’s all in a name”
Lessons in mindful consumption from a tough challenge !
Spoiler alert to start – blog details an epic fail with highly recommended side-effects for individuals, businesses, in fact for anyone who consumes anything! There are challenges one rises to, those achieved with struggle or panache and there are those which just flop, flounder and fail. For two of us the challenge of living onContinue reading “Lessons in mindful consumption from a tough challenge !”
Planning our great escape from lockdown
Lockdown has been a long haul this time – not a long haul that takes us to new locations but a long haul to nowhere which has reinforced why segregation is used as a punishment in prisons. It seems ironic that taking off on a boat to enjoy a panoply of changing sights, sounds andContinue reading “Planning our great escape from lockdown”
Covid positive at last!
I’ve been struck this week by the ways in which this pandemic has created, strengthened and developed communities – it is a genuine Covid positive. It’s something I hope we don’t lose as we head out of this initial crisis, but from which I hope we learn. Environments of both home and work will needContinue reading “Covid positive at last!”
Pickingupducks 