Locked into a communication cycle & going nowhere?

Years ago I ran a higher education Master of Arts degree in communications. This week has brought home to me again just how vital good, clear communication is to us all. In the mass media we’ve seen again the resulting maelstrom of rumour and speculation that takes off when hard facts are not communicated clearly.Continue reading “Locked into a communication cycle & going nowhere?”

Wonder is wonderfully inspiring

Sometimes I wonder how I manage to get up in the mornings, and other times I marvel we manage to get anything done at all, such are the myriad distractions on offer but to be able to wonder, to marvel at something created by man or nature can be truly breath-taking and inspirational. We’ve encounteredContinue reading “Wonder is wonderfully inspiring”

Managing the stresses and strains of travelling

Managing stress applies as much to the seemingly laidback life on a boat as it does to bricks and mortar, 9-5 working, or travelling across the country in other ways. This week has seen us travel from Barlaston to Anderton, a voyage of 34 miles and 41 locks through the heart of the Potteries, undergroundContinue reading “Managing the stresses and strains of travelling”

The week that was was – high speed, highly positive and unexpected

If we had any doubts about why we live afloat this week has surely banished them.  We started our week in Braunston, the Northamptonshire junction which has been a focus of the waterways for writers, artists and photographers for generations. It used to be buzzing with working boats, but now houses a flourishing marina, theContinue reading “The week that was was – high speed, highly positive and unexpected”

Time for a change

At last we’re off – heading to new waterways, new horizons and new adventures. It seems like we’ve been treading water for the past few months, waiting for the London Marathon to come and go, waiting for the date for our welding work to be done – which has been literally lifechanging. We’ve been soContinue reading “Time for a change”

Don’t get sent to Coventry

If living and working on the move has taught us anything it’s not to take anything at face value, or live by what others tell you. Go out there and find out for yourself, and test your preconceptions, particularly if they were built on hearsay, or experiences from the past – things change over time,Continue reading “Don’t get sent to Coventry”

How are your batteries? Are we running down?

At work or at home how often do you think about flicking a switch and getting power to illuminate your life or recharge your devices? Bet you only really think about it when you flick the switch and nothing happens? Living and working off grid as we do 24/7, power is not something we takeContinue reading “How are your batteries? Are we running down?”

Comfort zone 0: Benefit immense (apparently)

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)”

Diurnal wobble and other experiences

It’s been a strange first week of the year – combining unsettling new lessons and exciting experiences, with comforting returns to familiarity. All giving a chance to learn, reflect, and move better equipped into the months ahead. We started the week on the Coventry Canal at Fradley Junction. The Mucky Duck aka The Swan provedContinue reading “Diurnal wobble and other experiences”

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”