Regrets aren’t always necessary

On Wednesday BBC Womans Hour featured women narrowboaters during their Listener Week. Back in late June when they first asked for suggestions for topics to cover, I proposed a segment about women narrowboaters, particularly about Charlotte Ashman, a talented artist, mum, and skipper of not just one, but two boats. This is what I toldContinue reading “Regrets aren’t always necessary”

Fragile but vital reminders

It’s been a week of remembering, celebrating and feeling immense gratitude. Victory in Europe 80 years ago spoke of peace, an end to fear and suffering, of hope for all. It has added poignancy today as it appears some individuals and some nations have moved away from recognising the courage and strength required to beContinue reading “Fragile but vital reminders”

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”

Locked in, up and down

The Covid pandemic has changed many things, the ways we work, relate to each other, behave and also our language. Pandemic, social distancing, furlough, epidemiology and lockdown have become familiar to us, many have been ones we’ve used daily. Here on the canals locks are also something we use daily, an essential to travel. InContinue reading “Locked in, up and down”