1805. Admiral Lord Nelson told his men that England expected them to do their duty as they approached the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar, knowing many would lose their lives. As the smoke of cannons cleared, it was apparent the smaller fighting fleet of the British had triumphed, although 5,000Continue reading “Travelling in the footsteps and hoofprints of history”
Tag Archives: Canals
Resuming work/life/move balance
Humans (and dogs) are adaptable beings. We’ve slotted comfortably back into our usual move-moor routine after the winter mooring and winter stoppage delays. The weather has been glorious, which has made boatlife and the usual chores that go with it, a delight. Cleaning windows in the sun is a pleasure. Watching the sunlight stream throughContinue reading “Resuming work/life/move balance”
Giving back gives more than expected
One advantage of spending the winter in one place has been the chance to formally become volunteers with the charity that has responsibility for the waterways we live on – Canal and River Trust. On 2 July 2012, CRT, as a charity, took over from the previous government authority, British Waterways, who ran the networkContinue reading “Giving back gives more than expected”
Building resistance while getting scuppered
Our coddiwompling is coming to an end for a while as winter draws near. It is possibly my favourite season living afloat and we’ve decided to try something new this year. For the first time, we’ve determined to try staying in one place for the winter months near our family. A couple of weeks agoContinue reading “Building resistance while getting scuppered”
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”
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?”
Hooked on giving therapy, income and joy
Life alternates for us these days between a static floating existence at point A and frenetic activity before returning to point A. It seems perhaps how we used to live in the years before we moved afloat. It feels like living for a while with more gentle sunsets than electrifying sunrises. Family needs mean thatContinue reading “Hooked on giving therapy, income and joy”
Goals and challenges in the slow lane
There are goals in every world – home, career and it turns out inland waterways. Our home and career goals are clear – go slower and savour moments. Inland waterways goals it appears, can combine both of those and achieve a plaque at the same time. This week we’ve had a wonderful week away. AContinue reading “Goals and challenges in the slow lane”
Ageing effectively
It’ll come to us all if we are lucky – old age that is. When it does we need to be ready for it, for the change it will bring to us, but also to those we love and who love us. It’s frustrating, infuriating and exhausting as we have witnessed first hand. Their bodyContinue reading “Ageing effectively”
Taking stock with a floating business
It takes determination, hard work, and ingenuity to run a successful business. Mobile catering businesses, as we know, come in all shapes, sizes, formats, cuisines, and types. In floating terms we’ve encountered cafes, coffee, pizza, ice cream, and fudge boats, to name but a few. This week I’ve been learning firsthand the ins and outsContinue reading “Taking stock with a floating business”
Pickingupducks 