The Perfect Balance

This week the negative impacts of social media has been in sharp focus for young people, and if for the young, for all of us. As a result I want this week to use this social media shared blog for just one thing. To ask what gives you the perfect balance? My personal response isContinue reading “The Perfect Balance”

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”

A week of Ws

Work. Wood. Wall cupboards. Work. Weirs. Waiting. Wallpaper and a bit more Work. That’s our week – how’s your week been? This weekend, we will be getting the wall cupboards and the final work done on the kitchen – thanks, Ben. It’s been a week of sanding, oiling, seriously admiring and stroking the tactile curvesContinue reading “A week of Ws”

Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)

Several times this week, boating friends have anxiously asked if I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms or the dreaded itchy tiller syndrome, as we enter our third week moored in one place. When you’ve been used to moving the location for your home and office regularly, seeing new signs and new sights almost every day, stayingContinue reading “Time flies when you’re busy (and watching water levels)”

Never look back? There are times it helps but not in anger

It can be tough to look back – this week we encountered Adrian Edmondson on his Berserker book tour. He was looking back as one does when launching a personal memoir. In part, Edmondson looked back at his time at a Yorkshire boarding school. It was a time he recalled feeling helpless; at the mercyContinue reading “Never look back? There are times it helps but not in anger”

Hot stuff

If we had £1 for every time someone says “Is it cold on there? Or “ don’t live on your boat in winter do you?” – we’d be rich! No one ever seems to ask “Is it boiling in there at this time of the year ?” though and the answer is a resounding YES! Continue reading “Hot stuff”

Probation – for us and a new crewmate

It’s 5 months since our gorgeous cocker spaniel Cola left us, and they have been long, often lonely months without him, for me at least. We had 15 years together, and he was a brilliant family dog. Non dog lovers may struggle to understand so I shall try and spell out how it has felt.Continue reading “Probation – for us and a new crewmate”

High and dry without a home or office

Moving home and office is something we know all about as boaters – we do it regularly, casting off our mooring ropes and cruising to new places week in, week out. But leaving our home and casting ourselves off the boat is something we don’t normally do. In the past two and a bit yearsContinue reading “High and dry without a home or office”

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”

Oh Pooh!

This week started with Winnie the Pooh Day (the birthday of author A.A. Milne). As ever the ursine who always underestimated himself as the Bear of Very Little Brain, got our life afloat spot on in a succinct reminder which seems valid for everyone, however they are living and working. So often we forget thatContinue reading “Oh Pooh!”