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”
Tag Archives: boatlife
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”
Frustrating politics of being NFA
The political turmoil of the past 10 days let alone the past five months has brought the subject of a General Election to the fore, then it seemed to have receded, reappeared and perhaps by the time you read this it will have receded and reappeared once more. One thing is certain – in orderContinue reading “Frustrating politics of being NFA”
Accessing services on the move
People often ask how we manage, living as happy narrowboat nomads, to access the services they take for granted like doctors and dentists. Fortunately we haven’t yet needed anything in an emergency and even more fortunately we are continuous cruisers in the UK with its incredible NHS (something we must fight to protect). We haveContinue reading “Accessing services on the move”
Our experience of an historic week
Living afloat we sometimes feel apart from the world, separated from hustling bustling life by our slower, quieter pace. This week we too have watched as history unfolds before us, with the passing of our Queen and accession of King Charles III. We heard the news of the that the Queen was unwell on theContinue reading “Our experience of an historic week”
BEWARE – learning is hard!
As schools and colleges return, and universities prepare for their students, I’ve also been at the sharp end of the learning curve, learning vital lessons. It’s a tough business learning – sometimes we go into it with trepidation, sometimes with huge confidence. We’re here after all at whatever stage we’ve reached, because someone decrees weContinue reading “BEWARE – learning is hard!”
Anniversary effects and decision time
Anniversaries are strange things – personal and public at the same time. They can cheer and depress us, sometimes simultaneously thus not aligning totally with the psychologists’ definition of anniversary effect being solely related to trauma. We’ve celebrated 33 years of marriage this month – tongue in cheek this maybe traumatic for my Other Half!Continue reading “Anniversary effects and decision time”
Dramatic revolution afloat
Three key lessons this week: Take NOTHING for granted in your life. Be patient – good things are worth waiting for. Technology can be marvellous in many ways! Loyal blog, Instagram or Facebook followers will be familiar with stories of hand washing on towpaths alongside water taps, hunting down laundrettes and lugging bags of washingContinue reading “Dramatic revolution afloat”
Full Monty shows the power of volunteers
This week we’ve been on one of the shortest stretches of canal new to us – the 7 miles of the Montgomery Canal (known as the Monty). This stunning canal which straddles the Anglo Welsh border is beautiful, special (site of special scientific interest SSSI) peaceful (at the moment) and well worth a visit byContinue reading “Full Monty shows the power of volunteers”
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”
Pickingupducks 