History tells when the Athenians learned the Persians had landed at Marathon en route to attack Athens in 490 BC, a messenger ran to Sparta for help. This first ‘marathon runner’ covered 260 kilometres of rugged terrain in less than two days! A runner (probably the same poor chap) subsequently ran from Marathon to AthensContinue reading “Comfort zone 0: Benefit immense (apparently)”
Tag Archives: lifeafloat
We don’t know what we’ve got ’til it’s gone
We take so many things for granted – lights that come on at the flick of a switch (thanks to our batteries and solar), water that runs at the turn of a tap (thanks to our tank and Canal and River Trust water points) and these days the apparently vital ability to summon maps, searchContinue reading “We don’t know what we’ve got ’til it’s gone”
Are you well balanced? We’re not…yet!
It’s only too late to get back on an even keel when you’ve capsized… a thought for us all and particularly those of us who live on boats where prevention is definitely better than cure. So this week has been about rebalancing our lives…and our home. It’s so easy when you have a 50 xContinue reading “Are you well balanced? We’re not…yet!”
Go slow in 2023
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”
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”
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”
Tuning in
Living afloat brings so many dimensions to life. Some are expected – like being able to move on when you don’t fancy the location (or the neighbours), or you feel you’ve explored everything you can in that place, but some are totally unexpected. The sensory scope of each place is remarkable, and unless you areContinue reading “Tuning in”
Slow way, small person way
Cruising with an energetic 3 year old is something we’ve avoided doing by ourselves – until now. Up to this point we have always had a seriously big family crew on board with the small person so there is a tillerman/woman, crew for locks and a child crew allocated at all times. Now he’s 3Continue reading “Slow way, small person way”
Pickingupducks 