What a week – snow, ice, frozen ropes, rain, fieldfares, owls, kingfishers and fantastic community spirit. Living afloat on England’s inland waterways makes us much more aware of that archetypal English conversation staple – the weather. We live in it much more than we did amid bricks and mortar. Winds buffet the boat, sometimes gently,Continue reading “Iced up and frozen solid”
Tag Archives: narrowboat
Taking nothing for granted; blood, sweat and an end to washing our dirty linen in public
This time last year we were in the midst of Lockdown 2, wondering whether Christmas would be a time we could share the presence of loved ones which was the greatest present we wished for. Since then the world has moved on, and in some ways we have learned to live with a pandemic. Vaccinations,Continue reading “Taking nothing for granted; blood, sweat and an end to washing our dirty linen in public”
Silver linings and a reminder of what really matters
I know that many people working from home have found themselves viewing their home differently – some despairingly but many positively, learning about their home and community in a different way. I’ve had a new experience of our home this week too. I don’t do ill very often – I think the last time wasContinue reading “Silver linings and a reminder of what really matters”
Winter’s coming so we’re planning and ham-ming it up!
The first frost arrived this week hard on the heels of the clock change, and a need to have the fire lit more often now to keep us cosy. The frost caught me by surprise meaning the early exit the dog and I make through the stern hatch turned into farce. The hatch was frozenContinue reading “Winter’s coming so we’re planning and ham-ming it up!”
Effective communication
Just as in business, education and let’s be honest any relationship – it’s not all plain sailing on the canals, and communication, or rather miscommunication, is at the heart of most issues. This working week has been a sorting week for us – getting on with jobs that have been outstanding, prepping the boat forContinue reading “Effective communication”
After a year of trying – we can’t go on
A year ago as the second lockdown loomed in England in the face of the Covid pandemic, we were on the idyllic 22 lock-free miles of the Ashby Canal for the first time. Our intention was to sit out the lockdown in a Marina, namely the Bosworth Marina, and then make our way to theContinue reading “After a year of trying – we can’t go on”
Blisworth Tunnel Blues
This week, for what I believe to be the first time ever, I played Blisworth Tunnel Blues in its namesake location.
A memorable week – was yours?
Last week for us was yet another crammed with memorable moments. It makes me realise that it’s not possessions or work but people and events that make most of our important memories. What memories will you keep from last week? We came to London to run a marathon and that’s just what Steve did. WeContinue reading “A memorable week – was yours?”
Our slowlife 5-day week – how does yours compare?
This is a week designed to get Steve to the start line of the London Marathon for Sunday morning. Unlike others taking trains or cars, we’re going by narrowboat and starting this leg of the journey from Leighton Buzzard. Monday – Set off from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire in steady rain accompanied by a strongContinue reading “Our slowlife 5-day week – how does yours compare?”
It’s not a sprint – it’s a marathon
Sunday October 3 sees the return of the London Marathon to the English capital after a pandemic hiatus. For us, having made it down there and moored our narrowboat in the city for the first time, it will be a momentous, nail-biting day. Steve will leave the boat on that Sunday morning to run 26.2Continue reading “It’s not a sprint – it’s a marathon”
Pickingupducks 