Sunday was a lockdown day with a difference for anyone boating on the Ashby Canal and for towpath walkers near Snarestone close to the current end of navigation on this restored canal. Thousands of gallons of water drained from the canal into surrounding fields as part of the towpath fell away resulting in a breachContinue reading “Disastrous leak cancels our plans and ends in tiers”
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Fishy goings-on in a murky underworld
As on land, problems never seem to come singly on water. We’ve wrestled with onboard flooding and finally identified the source (our fresh water tank) so continue a now monotonous cycle of sealing, filling, evaluating, mopping and resolving. We have reduced the severity and number of leaks, identified and hopefully sorted them but working awayContinue reading “Fishy goings-on in a murky underworld”
Sinking feelings are bad news when you live on a boat
Water is generally regarded as a necessity for life afloat, but as we now know, in the wrong place it is both worrying and threatening. You only have to look at the news or cruise England’s canals to see that narrowboats do sink sometimes. New bulletins also bring us the heartbreaking destruction created by floodingContinue reading “Sinking feelings are bad news when you live on a boat”
Getting back on an even keel and learning to live positively in lockdown
We are having a very different living experience for this lockdown, and one I hope will make us much more appreciative of our floating lifestyle. It was a head over heart compromise and one which led to a lot of discussion. One of us was head…and one heart – I am sure you can workContinue reading “Getting back on an even keel and learning to live positively in lockdown”
Lockdown 2.0 is rocking our boat
It’s a different lockdown this time – for us in more ways than one. This time we are afloat, living on a 50ft narrowboat which we are renovating as we cruise. Preparing for a lockdown on a narrowboat is different, and wondering as we do so what we might have forgotten! Canal and Rivers TrustContinue reading “Lockdown 2.0 is rocking our boat”
Life reflected in boats, an introduction and preparing to be stuck…
It’s been a week of many miles across the waterways of four counties as we need to reach a set place in the coming weeks for a family celebration (outside in groups not exceeding 6). This has given time for thought as we chug our meandering way at nearly 4mph along the waterways. Boats, houses,Continue reading “Life reflected in boats, an introduction and preparing to be stuck…”
Warning – chains, treats, images of underwear and a shoe crisis
I am cursing Boris…for a variety of reasons, but in this instance for forcing me to struggle through 12 bloody-minded locks in drizzle which turned to a downpour in a bid to escape his threatened lockdown and travel somewhere – anywhere! We did it. We… 1.Beat Boris’s anticipated lockdown although like many I am weepingContinue reading “Warning – chains, treats, images of underwear and a shoe crisis”
Man overboard, a marathon and fear
Our first night of permanent living on the boat felt much like another holiday on board, albeit more crowded with ‘stuff’ and surrounded by familiar things from home. Our first morning brought high drama. 6.08am in September without streetlights is dark. Our black spaniel returned to the boat from his morning constitutional and gleefully jumpedContinue reading “Man overboard, a marathon and fear”
Covid has sent us to the…ducks…
It seemed a remarkably easy decision to make after 6 months of working flat out through lockdown – give up the job, house and car. Move onto a 50ft 31-year old narrowboat to live a simpler, ecological more friendly life and see if it is more satisfying, more fulfilling with just ducks for neighbours. IdealisticContinue reading “Covid has sent us to the…ducks…”
Pickingupducks 