History isn’t something in the past if you live on the waterways. It is part of the present, entwined in daily life, in constant reminders, as we walk on and in the very footsteps of the past worn into stones and steps, past bridge rubbing bands worn into deep grooves by the ropes attached toContinue reading “Past present and perfect”
Tag Archives: Art
By narrowboat to America for world guidance
Travelling to the United States of America by narrowboat is not something I ever thought we would be able to do, but this summer, we did just that. We travelled down the River Thames to the Berkshire/Surrey border, moored our boat home with the help of a handy English oak, and set off on footContinue reading “By narrowboat to America for world guidance”
Biophilia indoors is bringing evident benefits
One of the most popular and most watched episodes of Grand Designs was that of woodsman Ben Law, handbuilding his cruck-framed home in the Sussex woodland he manages. The thought he put into making the wood the centrepiece of his incredible home and the care with which he handcrafted every element appealed not just toContinue reading “Biophilia indoors is bringing evident benefits”
Prepping for FAB life and student life too!
We are crammed to, above and beyond the gunwhales (“gunnels” if you prefer) this week, as I’m frantically stock making and collecting ready for FAB next weekend. FAB, Folk and Boat Festival is an annual shindig in Middlewich, that’s been going since 1990. It brings together the towns long canal history – boats have beenContinue reading “Prepping for FAB life and student life too!”
We’re a mine of information this week
For the first time ever we’ve a new reality beginning this week. Soon we shall be moving just a little for some time. Gone will be the long journeys across the country, or countries for a while. They will be something to look forward to and plan for the future, but for now we canContinue reading “We’re a mine of information this week”
Naked men, amazing women, safety precautions and searching
Some weeks are just packed with “things” that bear no relation to each other but create a very satisfying sum of their independent parts. This week proved to be one of those weeks. We crossed into Lancashire – stalwartly flying our Yorkshire Rose flag… and I am no longer complaining about the heat. Now IContinue reading “Naked men, amazing women, safety precautions and searching”
Going international
Let’s be honest – travel between nations with a narrowboat in the UK is limited unless you are prepared to pay for trucks to transport your boat! To get to Scotland or Ireland trucking is required, but to reach Wales – you just keep cruising which is what we’ve done this week. We’ve spent theContinue reading “Going international”
Crisis? It really is an opportunity!
A new year is here that appears for most to herald times at least as difficult and uncertain as its predecessor. That is stressful situation and just adds to the pressures many were already facing as 2021 ended. Wellbeing and mindfulness increases our resilience to stress, our ability to cope with whatever life, work, colleagues,Continue reading “Crisis? It really is an opportunity!”
Mouse on board!
In mid August on a balmy morning walk with the dog, a small person (aged 3) picked up a number of pink granite stones from a path. The stones are quarried nearby to where we were then moored and where we used to live, in the pleasant riverside Leicestershire village of Mountsorrel. We used theContinue reading “Mouse on board!”
The epitome of life…and England
Having now travelled the length and narrow breadth of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, including a voyage into the interior, it seems to epitomise life, and England too – today, yesterday and tomorrow. It brings amazing highs, significant lows and challenges. It is built on a long history, heritage and currency of diversity and community, spectacularContinue reading “The epitome of life…and England”
Pickingupducks 