Well we made it – we scraped the profile gauge that was supposed to be the indicator of whether we would get through the lowest openly navigable tunnel on the inland waterway network, but thought it was worth a try. If you think it’s worth it – give it a go – seems a worthyContinue reading “If you think it’s worth it – give it a go!”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
New waters and nerve-wracking decisions
A change of scene does us all good, as boaters know only too well. This week we’ve begun exploring the Caldon, somewhere we’ve wanted to travel for the past five years. Problems with locks and water levels have stopped us until now, but now we are here. The Canal takes off from the Trent &Continue reading “New waters and nerve-wracking decisions”
Never take life for granted
Like the English weather, we were reminded this week that life can turn on its head in a split second or even be extinguished as fast. Four years ago this week, we sold up, moved life and work onto a 50ft narrowboat saying: “We’ll try this for two years and see how it goes.” We’reContinue reading “Never take life for granted”
New beginnings, a new challenge and a reboot
I feel like I’ve returned home to a parallel universe after my time away. I left just about 10 days ago in periodic warm summer days, but I’ve returned to what is clearly autumn. Uniforms and backpacks are taking over the early towpath from habitual dog walkers; leaves fluttering from hedgerows and trees like confettiContinue reading “New beginnings, a new challenge and a reboot”
Taking a break
These are the weeks of the year I find hardest. This year, they seem harder than ever after so many joyous moments that have been missed by those I’ve lost. Moments they would have loved to have been part of. We lost them all in different years but all in August. I find myself thinkingContinue reading “Taking a break”
Memories are made of this
Narrowboats; tents; wildlife and wildflowers; days without agendas; windswept sandy beaches crammed with rock pools not people; ice-creams; wellies full of water; beachcombing treasures; leisurely chatty meals with all generations together; no-tech-games from garden quoits to i-spy and inventing imaginary concept vehicles – the more outlandish the better; more ice-creams long walks; wet walks; leisurelyContinue reading “Memories are made of this”
What next? Where next? And How?
It’s been steaming this past week on the canal in more ways than one. Met up with steam-powered narrowboat Tixall on her way from Audlem to the River Weaver, and of course there’s been the heat from the weather, let alone a furnace producing steam! We’re starting August in a strange place in more waysContinue reading “What next? Where next? And How?”
A new POV on a floating life
What an amazing fortnight it’s been – a joyous wedding in glorious sunshine of our youngest daughter and the gaining for us of a wonderful son-in-law. The bringing together of so many friends and four generations of family from all over the globe, some we haven’t see for years, and many who haven’t seen eachContinue reading “A new POV on a floating life”
Normal service will be resumed soon!
This week’s blog is going to be late because we’re focused on the glorious family wedding of our youngest daughter and catching up with family and friends from across the globe as a result. Mega blog will follow!
When personal tragedy strikes, can we count on our fellow humans?
Are people fundamentally good? Thomas Hobbes maintained that people were totally self-centred, while Jean-Jacques Rousseau was totally committed to the theory that people were fundamentally good. Hobbes was English and lived in the 17th century. Rousseau was French and lived a century later. Could that indicate both were right in their national experience, or perhapsContinue reading “When personal tragedy strikes, can we count on our fellow humans?”
Pickingupducks 