C.L. Peache's Blog, page 16

Boat faffing day… Day 198

Mon 5th February Day 198

Today we attempt to go for a walk but don’t get too far as Chris’s back starts to twinge and when you get to our age, you realise that’s your body saying nope, not a chance then you better listen! So, it’s back to the boat.

We pick up some kindling from the farmshop on the way back and some daffodils to fool ourselves into thinking spring is around the corner, when in fact there are freezing cold temperatures on the way so it feels very apt to be editing the vlog where we were on route to the marina and woke up to be frozen in! The drama of canal life.

I get some admin done ready for going away on Thursday so I’m all caught up although there is warnings of heavy rain, snow, ((raining cats, dogs, meteors hitting the earth, earthquakes shattering the ground, lightning hitting the overhead powerlines, giant snow drifts…)) Okay, you’re being sarcastic ((Who me?)) but we all know if there is a dodgy leaf on the ground it brings trains to a halt and travelling up the country is going to be a challenge but we can but try.

In the afternoon we crack on with a few little DIY jobs. It’s so nice not to have to move everything as I only have a few bits to paint in the lounge area which needed a re-paint and to varnish some wood in the kitchen. We just need to source some screws as the handles we bought for the cupboards in the kitchen won’t quite fit – of course they don’t. We need to finish the jobs so I can upload and create the vlog.

Other than that, I do some jigsawing whilst listening to my audio book and also getting some of the Jersey pictures and videos sorted. After a week of rubbish sleep, I’m ready for bed at 8pm but force myself to stay awake so I recline in bed with a new kindle book and after making it to 10pm its day done. Until tomorrow. ((riveting)) x

Narrowboat adventures, writing life and YouTube adventures… Day 198 – 204 – Mon 5th Feb to Sun 11th Feb

Mon 5th February Day 198

Today we attempt to go for a walk but don’t get too far as Chris’s back starts to twinge and when you get to our age, you realise that’s your body saying nope, not a chance, then you better listen! So, it’s back to the boat.

We pick up some kindling from the farmshop on the way back and some daffodils to fool ourselves into thinking spring is around the corner, when in fact there are freezing cold temperatures on the way so it feels very apt to be editing the vlog where we were on route to the marina and woke up to be frozen in! The drama of canal life.

I get some admin done ready for going away on Thursday so I’m all caught up although there is warnings of heavy rain, snow, ((raining cats, dogs, meteors hitting the earth, earthquakes shattering the ground, lightning hitting the overhead powerlines, giant snow drifts…)) Okay, you’re being sarcastic ((Who me?)) but we all know if there is a dodgy leaf on the ground it brings trains to a halt and travelling up the country is going to be a challenge but we can but try.

In the afternoon we crack on with a few little DIY jobs. It’s so nice not to have to move everything as I only have a few bits to paint in the lounge area which needed a re-paint and to varnish some wood in the kitchen. We just need to source some screws as the handles we bought for the cupboards in the kitchen won’t quite fit – of course they don’t. We need to finish the jobs so I can upload and create the vlog.

Other than that, I do some jigsawing whilst listening to my audio book and also getting some of the Jersey pictures and videos sorted. After a week of rubbish sleep, I’m ready for bed at 8pm but force myself to stay awake so I recline in bed with a new kindle book and after making it to 10pm its day done. ((riveting))

Tuesday 6th February Day 199

I’ve had the best sleep ever and don’t wake up until 9.50am! ((you lazy…)) I know. It happens maybe once every year and more than that I wake up feeling restful and actually well for the first time in a few weeks and ready to take on the world! ((Oh Lord!)) big list made and first job is to go to the shops as Chris’s back is feeling better after resting it and we need milk for coffees.

There seem to be a lot more narrowboats out and about at Great Haywood canal junction and we cannot wait to join them. More and more our chats are going to where we are going to go and of course, this is all weather dependent but unless we are frozen in I don’t see why we wont go as we are ready to cruise. The only issue is getting the bow and stern painted but if we don’t we will just have to figure it out. ((I can just see you climbing through the duck hatch – perhaps you fit a lift to get you out so you don’t stand on the stern or bow))

I seem to have an okayish wi-fi signal but it still takes 5 hours to finish creating the vlog to upload for my Patreons to watch before it goes onto YouTube and I welcome a new Patreon Bonnie to The Plot crew. ((You will soon have enough people to crew a dingy)) Oi, don’t be rude! Without them you would be silenced and not allowed out every day ((I love our Patreons; Sandra and Ann are my favourite though)) Hey, you’re not allowed favourites – just because they want you to have merchandise!

It’s the standard washing day and wandering to the laundry room – will there, won’t there be someone using it? Turns out there is but just the dryer. Anyway later on I go back and end up having the standard laundry room chat about life. Very pleasant. What else to report ((Oh don’t forget you spilt the white spirits)) Oh yeah, thanks for that. We were doing another coat of varnish and decided to move everything into the bow and as a result of the boat rocking ((Always an excuse)) I knocked over the tub with white spirits. Luckily, it was in the bow so at least not in the inside of the boat. One step forward…

We are still watching New Zealand videos and creating a play list of which ones we are going to upload. It was amazing watching the helicopter ride. Brings back so many amazing memories. We’ve uploaded the little vlog we did to music about finding the hermit’s cave at Elizabeth Castle in Jersey if you fancy a watch… day done. Until tomorrow. x

Wednesday 7th February Day 200

Today is a bit of a faffing day ((That’s all you ever do!)) I think I mentioned that I’m going to do a promotion on my New Zealand travel book soon… well, we just happened to start looking through all the videos we took using the go-pro and as i’ve previously said we have decided we are going to create vlogs out of the footage ((Of course you are)) it’s what we originally intended to do but then life got in the way and in a funny turn of events we now have a YouTube channel to share them on. Although we do intend to keep the Sunday 6pm vlogs as the cruising ones and then add the other ones on other days.

I’ve also decided to give TikTok another go. Specially BookTok as it really is a great market to break into it’s just the old problem of having enough time and if you’re going to invest in something you have to do it properly else there is no point. I’ve got a few ideas so we will see how that goes. I still haven’t been using Twitter or the new Threads on Instagram; I’m not sure why but I now seem to prefer other platforms. I suppose it’s a case of going where your audience is or where you can find a new audience. I will keep you updated on how that goes. ((Oh Joy. We so look forward to that.)) Social media is such hard work!

The promotion side is really the hardest part for me. I love creating but then i’m onto the next project. ((Perhaps you need to teach Chris how to use them)) Oh yeah, can you imagine… he doesn’t do social media in any way shape or form so i don’t think that would go down well. ((You could offer to pay him in beer?)) Not a bad call!

Thursday 8th February Day 201

What a day to have booked tickets to travel. The threatening horrible weather arrives and as I’m getting ready to catch the bus to Stafford. The driving, sleeting rain bounces of the boat and I decide we better order a taxi but then after seeing the cost at £18 we decide to brave the weather but then the price reduces to £10; for anyone who uses Uber do you understand how this works? Literally fifteen minutes later it was a different price. It costs us £4 on the bus so £10 door to door for a taxi so I’m not soaked on the start of my journey seems reasonable.

Surprisingly, because according to the weather report it the new apocalyptic end of the world weather front coming in ((Don’t be so dramatic)) I’m not being dramatic. It’s winter and yes, I know I’m stepping on an emotive topic here because of ‘global warming’ and if you need to know I think with my very limited knowledge ((Peachy means she just made up this theory)) I think humans do contribute to global warming but I also believe it’s also a natural ebb and flow of the planet. How else do you explain terrible floods of the past that we know have been worse than we have today? Also, our knowledge is based on when records began. It’s too big a subject to go into now ((And how is this relevant to you?)) well, I do live on water now so heavy rain and flooding affects us in many different ways. There has just been a big land slide on one of the main canals so this might stop us travelling that way and there have been some terrible incidents of boats being sunk. It’s one of the reasons we made sure we weren’t mooring on a river and hopefully never will. they are too unpredictable but I also think ((Here we go)) that a lot of flooding problems are due to poor maintenance, building on flood plains and chopping down the trees. ((okay enough now))

As I make it to the train station, I stand disbelievingly looking at the information screen showing the train times. On time. Every. Train. On time. What is this third dimension I’ve fallen into? Although, whilst I’m sitting waiting, the train starts showing delayed and normal life resumes. Luckily it ends up only being a few minutes late and I have a forty-minute wait for my connecting train so no panicking required. I know I have readers from all over the world and if you ever venture to the UK I apologise in advance if you use our public transport. It’s shocking on every level and makes me dream of being back in New Zealand or literally anywhere in the world is; from my experience, better than here. The train is surprisingly quiet and warm so I finish my kindle book –Glass Doll by D.E. White and then have some ideas so write some notes for my psychological thriller… that’s when the police got on the train ((Run, Peachy. Save yourself… and me obvs)) I did wonder if they had been glancing at my notes on the train camera… killer’s, list… Turns out they are not interested in me and I get off the train at Lancaster and wait for my connecting train.

The gale force swirling maelstrom of weather hits me in the face and I stupidly try and put up my umbrella as I walk up the steep hill from Bentham station. Finally, I make it to the warmth of home and a coffee. Day done.

Friday 9th February Day 202

Today I’ve been invited to join the ‘ladies that lunch’ and two of them are Patreons of my YouTube channel and big supporters of my books. ((One is your mum, the other is Sandra my number One Fan – Hi Sandra!)) Hey, stop having favourites again!

We have a lovely natter and the hours tick by as we tuck into our food. My mum threatens me once again about publishing my psychological thriller and I promise I’m working on it – I was making notes on the train after all! ((actually you were. I’m liking the new ideas for it.)) thanks Brackets, I’m glad I’ve waited so long to get this one ready to publish. Sandra very kindly treats us to lunch – thank you again! Very spoilt ((Too spoilt. I notice I wasn’t invited!)) That’s because… I was going to say you’re not real but then I would get in trouble. ((How dare you! Sandra… tell Peachy!)) I do often wonder what the heck new people think when they start reading this blog!

Once home the rest of my family who live nearby pop around and we start a game of Zombicide. We have played games ever since I can remember. It’s where my love of writing came from and the imagination as we used to play Dungeons and Dragons and every other game we could find. Day done.

Saturday 10th February Day 203

The second day of zombie killing continues as we battle it out to the final conclusion. Who will be victorious… of course we win! ((You didn’t build that up for very long!))

Chris messages me to say the gas bottle has run out so he has to buy two new ones, but at least that means we are fully stocked up now for when we leave the marina in a couple of weeks. These should last us about a year for both bottles.

I’ve just realised I’ve passed 90k on the blog which will be turned into my canal book later in the year. ((The editing is going to be off the scale!)) I know, right? I’ve had a few new followers of the blog so I apologise in advance for any errors when you read these daily blogs. Because I blog every day, I only do a very minor edit so there will be mistakes. ((I find it helps if you just skim read Peachy’s blog with one eye closed)) It was either hope the readers let me off the mistakes or I don’t blog everyday ((People cannot live without me every day!)) Exactly, Brackets.
Right, day done. ((What? That was a short one?)) I know, there isn’t much else to report as had a day with family and friends catching up and playing games. ((What about interaction with your readers? Honestly, down to me one again… i should be paid as your marketing manager… if you want to read any of Peachy’s books then check out her bookshelf… click here… Wow you have loads more subscribers on your website. i worry about society. That’s day done))

Sunday 11th February Day 204

I make use of having proper, fast wi-fi and get some videos and vlogs sorted. ((Does your mum know you’re stealing her data!)) yes, it’s all in a good cause so don’t be grassing me up! It really makes such a big difference when I have a decent connection.

Whilst doing this, we start watching The Tourist – what an amazing series; has anyone watched it? This is the second season but it’s just as good as the first. I love watching programmes like this, not only because they are bloody good but because they give me ideas ((Hey, don’t be stealing!)) I’m not, I mean in the sense of the pace of a programme and character development. I always try and make sure my chapters end so the reader wants to turn the page but the only way this happens is by having a great story and great characters to move it along.

In the afternoon a friend pops round who I haven’t seen in about fifteen years so we have a good old natter then it’s back to watching the Tourist and that’s day done again and the end of another week. The weeks really are flying by but that means lighter nights are coming, spring is looming and cruising days will soon be up on us. Lots to look forward to. Until tomorrow. xx

I’ve added all the links from this weeks blog below so it doesn’t interrupt your reading pleasure ((excuse me whilst i laugh uncontrollably))..
((If you would like to sign up to be a Patreon and have the utter joy of going to lunch with Peachy one day – personally, I couldn’t think of anything worse but here is the link… Join here as a free Patreon for limited access or subscription for content before everyone else.))

((If you would like to read one of Peachy’s page turning thrillers then why not try Power of Nature… if nothing else it might shut her up moaning if she gets some more sales. it’s all in a good cause people! Read it here))

((This is the link to watch the short Jersey vlog to music. The one main bonus is you don’t have to see or hear Peachy on this one so let’s make it her most watched vlog… https://youtu.be/Vkb90q7PyWI ))

((If you haven’t read Peachy’s New Zealand book and fancy bagging yourself a bargain click here. If you consider £1.99 a bargain. Personally i would add 1p to it and buy yourself some scratchcards but there you go))

((i’m actually quite enjoying these sarcastic promotions. Let me know if you want more. Don’t tell Peachy!))

The reading corner is ready… Day 197

Sunday 4th February Day 197

It’s a bit of a lazy start today ((Nothing to do with a few extra prosecco’s then?)) Hey a girl’s aloud a couple of drinks. Especially since I didn’t get to enjoy celebrating my book being finished. Also, the geese have decided to make their presence known in the early hours so we have a bit of a disturbed sleep.

Breakfast consumed and coffee drunk we finally get to stage of putting up my new shelves! Very, very exciting and they look fabulous. I still need to do some faffing as I intend to have a row just for the books I’ve published; because why not, after all those years spent writing them and all the hard work. I can see the bookshelves from the dinette where I normally work so that’s a bonus. They make the boat feel so homely and I’m very pleased with how all the work is going on the boat. If we carry on like this, then everything we want to get done will be finished before we leave the marina.

This morning we did wake up to it being a bit too windy to go out so may try again tomorrow. It’s annoying we have to go out of the marina to finish the grinding but looking ahead the temperatures are going back down to zero again so we won’t be able to paint the bow and stern anyway. We will just have to hope we get a couple of days decent weather so we can get it done before we leave the marina.

Chris makes the most of the lazy Sunday and goes back to bed for a power nap as I start to do some of my new jigsaw but I set that aside to get this blog finished and uploaded so I’m as ahead as I can be. I mentioned I’m off the visit family next weekend and want to enjoy time with them. I am going to take my laptop so I can work on the train. I’m itching ((Too much information Peachy)) to get into the canal book and make a start on the editing and research for the history snippets we are going to add.

It’s raining outside as I wrap this up. Time to make another coffee and get back to the jigsaw and listening to my audiobook. The third in the R.R. Haywood; The Code Series which I was going to give up on but glad I continued, even if it’s not his best series. There is still enough in the plot and characters and it’s narrated by Colin Morgan so a delight to listen to. I’m looking forward to hanging about in my reading corner tonight and tackling one of my many kindle books or maybe i might finish one of my paperbacks. What are you reading at the moment?
Day nearly done. Until tomorrow. x

Creating a reading corner… Day 196

Saturday 3rd February Day 196

We decide to crack on with the rest of the DIY in the main area of the boat and it’s ready for a good clean after all that sanding in the kitchen and dining room. There are a few areas we need to tidy up which means the filler comes out first and then a repaint. I think we have finally found the right places for hooks, shelves etc. Although talking of shelves ((Yes please do. There is nothing as interesting as reading your blog to hear you talking about shelves. Riveting. If you don’t get a spread in Take a Break there is no justice in the world)) The shelves… I have been waiting for since we bought the boat as they are for my books. The books I’ve written and published so they are special bookshelves. It’s taken this long to really know how the boat works and how we want to live in it. So I’m creating a book nook! ((okay, fair enough then. That is slightly more exciting shelf talk))

There is of course the break from proceedings as the toilet needs emptying ((You know, just because I said you don’t mention the toilet much anymore doesn’t mean you need to start!)) It’s a great faffing day getting jobs ticked off the list.

One of the jobs involves sorting the fire out as the paste isn’t working well. Once winter is done and dusted we will re-do the fire area again as we’ve changed our mind on keeping the tiles. As we will be taking out the flue to fit it all again properly we might as well change the tiles. Another job to do one day. It’s all safe for now to use until the weather warms up and we can stop using it.

We might possibly go our cruising tomorrow but we might just have to finish all these jobs and go out Monday. We will see how it goes and what the weather is like tomorrow. Jobs done. Blog updated and now time for a little glass of fizz. ((Another one!)) Day done. Until tomorrow. x
P.S. If you pop onto my Instagram or YouTube account you might be able to see a picture of the reading nook! Oh and my New Zealand promotion should start today so if you’re interested pop onto my social media.

No wonder the high streets are failing… Day 195

Friday 2nd February Day 195

We brave an early morning visit to the bus stop which isn’t actually marked as a bus stop. We stand on the bridge looking at the canal and watching just a couple of boat moving on the unusually quiet Great Haywood Junction which is normally a hive of activity. The bus turns up a few minutes late. It’s always a bit of ‘will they’ ‘won’t they.’ arrive on time.

We arrive into Litchfield. Is it just me or is it so hard to find anything you want on the high street anymore? We trail around the shops trying to find a few bits of DIY things and household items but it’s just impossible. Bring back Woolworths and all the Wilko’s shops – you could always rely on finding everything you needed there. We should have gone to Rugeley as at least they have a lovely independent hardware type shop when you can get all bits and bobs. It’s make no wonder places like Amazon do so well. ((are you finished?)) yes, just about. It’s just it seems a shame as I love wandering around shops but why bother when you cannot find what you need.

The bus is late to take us home so I end up missing the weekly book chat which is annoying but standard when using public transport in the UK and between the bus and the dodgy road i feel like all my bones have been shaken to bits when we finally get back. The rest of the evening is taken making a lovely tapas style tea and enjoying a few glasses of fizz. Nice to feel up to having a few drinks and chilling. Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Am i finally up to date…? Day 194

Thursday 1st February Day 194

((Pinch punch first of the month and no return)) Darn it! Although in the real world it’s not the 1st of the month so it doesn’t count!

It’s a lovely bright morning as I’m sitting on my chair in front of a fire which is stubbornly refusing to light for some reason even though we have given it a through good clean and emptied the ashes. I’ve written a list and now I’m feeling much better, I intend to crack on and get some admin done today. This starts with updating the blog to try and catch up whilst also setting my photos to upload to icloud so I can start getting the next vlogs sorted. I also need to book my train tickets as I’m popping up to see family for a few days next week which also includes a lovely lunch out with some of my Patreons ((I think you will find they are my number one fans!)) I know, I know. They only read this blog because of you. They don’t realise what you’re going to be like once you get your own merchandise – which I am still thinking about a design before you mention it.

We are having a few days off the DIY, other than little bits and bobs and just enjoying the boat being tidy. I don’t know about anyone else but I struggle to focus on things when the environment around me is messy. 

We have a food shop ordered for tonight between 7pm and 11pm. ((WOW. That’s late for you Peachy)) I know, but we needed shopping and it was the cheapest delivery time and tomorrow we are planning to go into either Stafford, Litchfield or Rugeley as we need some bits and bobs to finish off the DIY projects.

Lunchtime sees us tackling the usual boat jobs; emptying the toilet, getting some coal and filling with water. We are going to use our new gadget which measures how much water goes in. This will be really useful when out on the cut as all the water points vary with water pressure and as there is no gauge in the tank we never have any idea how much water we have or how big the tank is and as we are thinking of adding a washing machine onto the boat, it would be useful to know how much we have. ((coming to YouTube no doubt! Yawnfest))

After the boat jobs are done we decide to go for a walk. It’s the first proper one for me since getting back and the sun is shining and it feels proper spring like. Arriving back at the boat I make a coffee and then slip into the comfort of the dinette and the next four hours are spent finishing getting the blogs up to date and scheduling them. ((Wait a minute. You… as of this moment…. in time… this minute…. this second you’re actually up to date and have scheduled the following weeks blog??? Am I reading this right?)) yes, you are Brackets. Yes, you are. The nature of daily blogging means of course that you cannot write about it until you’ve lived it but just getting up to date is a massive win.

I’ve also planned a social media schedule for my New Zealand book as a little experiment to see if uploading pictures of our adventures on social everyday will generate more book sales. It will be five years on the 17th February which is just not possible it’s been so long.

Chris is currently editing the Jersey vlog with music! So we will see how that goes. It won’t replace the narrowboat vlogs will just be extra bonus content. Day done, very satisfying x

Cleaning and faffing. Day 193

Wednesday 31st January Day 193

It’s the big boat clean and faff day along with wandering into the kitchen and dinette to look at how nice the floor looks. Because of all the sanding we have to give everything a clean before we put it back but it’s very satisfying. This also leads to us cleaning out the water pump in the shower room, as soon as the shower doesn’t drain quickly we know it’s time for a clean. It gets filled with soap and hair etc and it’s just good maintenance to do this job on a regular basis as otherwise it ends up smelling and potentially leaking which is what has happened before. ((Disgusting.))

Faffing of the boat done and it’s looking lovely and clean. I set up my camping chair in the lounge and set to cracking on uploading the tour around Manchester vlog to Patreon and scheduling it to YouTube for Sunday at 6pm. For some reason the signal seems to being kind today. ((I think last time your negative mood was blocking the signal)) you could have something there Brackets. When I used to live in York we had a stereo and if I went close to it when the radio was on it would make the signal go funny! ((Why am I not surprised))

Late in the evening I write up a little bit of my blog before treating myself to watching the last few episodes of the Last of Us – love an apocalyptic series and I appreciate how much we have done on the boat already but also that I’m feeling much better and have more energy. Day done. Until tomorrow x

More narrowboat DIY carnage… Day 192

Tuesday 30th January Day 192

We get up and crack on with the flooring keen to finish the fitting and get the boat back in order. The surprise is that the wood trim we were going to change looks really good against the contrasting lighter floor and you can now see under the dinette ((no hiding stuff under the dinette now peachy!)) which makes the boat feel bigger. We are really pleased with the choice. ((and you haven’t mentioned multiple times that it was your choice. Nope, not you!))

Not much else to report today as we spend the day fitting the floor and making sure it’s all okay before moving everything back from the bedroom again. I will be so pleased when the boat is all straight again. It doesn’t make much disorder to mess up a boat as you will have seen if you watched the video yesterday. We have wanted to get achieve this finish since we bought the boat in May 2022, so it’s really big achievement for us.

It’s nice to finally have the dinette back in place as well as I have lots of admin and book stuff to catch up on. I’ve had some new followers on Amazon which is fab. If you have an Amazon account you just click on the ‘follow’ the author button and then when i publish any new books you’re notified.
Day done. Until tomorrow. x
Click here to follow me on Amazon

Thanks for the support… Day 191

Monday 29th January Day 191

Thanks to everyone who has been encouraging me and offering support after a little moan recently.  A memory came up on Facebook and i was saying exactly the same a last year so it’s obviously a winter thing. It’s muchly appreciated

It’s floor day ((Make sure you use your good eye!)) I knew the sympathy wouldn’t last long! As we wait for the vinyl flooring to arrive. We ordered it from best4flooring.com. the delivery isn’t due until this afternoon so we paint the final coat of green on the dinette panels and finish prepping the wood floor as we are fitting the vinyl straight on top so we have a nice level surface.

I somehow decide that it’s a really good idea to do our washing today. My thought process was that we will be hanging about waiting for our delivery so I can just keep popping up to the laundry room. I have two loads to do but there is only one washing machine and one dryer. I arrive to a feeling of smugness as the machines are free but then realise I’ve forgotten the washing powder or sheets that I use. ((Honestly!))

What I didn’t account for is that obviously as we are fitting the floor this afternoon once the floor has arrived everything has to go into the bedroom once again and the dryer here isn’t the best here so the towels, bedding and sheets don’t come out completely dry so I have to set up a drying station in the rest of the boat. I will add a video of it to Patreon which anyone should be able to watch! What a mess! I will add the link at the end.

Just as we are tucking into our lunch of noodles, of course, the floor delivery turns up and we scramble about rushing to get ready and out of the boat to meet the driver. At the same time the timer goes off for the washing. ((I’ve never seen you move so fast Peachy!)) washing brought back, vinyl flooring retrieved and it’s back to finish our noodles.

We were going to fit the flooring tomorrow but it’s about 2pmish and we decide to go for it. I can tell you that fitting flooring on a boat in such a small space with many corners to go around the kitchen units and dinette is hard work esp when I keep having to have breaks because i still haven’t shaken this cold. ((the swear jar was overflowing!)) anyway, for a change we work well together and with a bit of patience we get the flooring down. It’s not completely fitted but we want to let the vinyl settle down before we do the final fit. Even now, the transformation is amazing. It looks so different and we love it. Cannot wait to share the vlog with you.
Day done. Until tomorrow x
Watch the boat carnage here.

Narrowboat, writing and YouTube Adventures… Day 191 – 197. Mon 29th Jan – Sun 4th Feb

If i’ve calculated this correctly this should be my 100th blog post! I’ve obviously been writing a daily blog since we left for our narrowboat adventure back in July 2023 but i uploaded some weekly blogs until readers preferred a mixture. I’m very proud of reaching 100 blog posts as it’s not easy to keep up the momentum some days. I hope you’re still enjoying them.

Monday 29th January Day 191

Thanks to everyone who has been encouraging me and offering support after a little moan recently.  A memory came up on Facebook and i was saying exactly the same a last year so it’s obviously a winter thing. It’s muchly appreciated

It’s floor day ((Make sure you use your good eye!)) I knew the sympathy wouldn’t last long! As we wait for the vinyl flooring to arrive. We ordered it from best4flooring.com. the delivery isn’t due until this afternoon so we paint the final coat of green on the dinette panels and finish prepping the wood floor as we are fitting the vinyl straight on top so we have a nice level surface.

I somehow decide that it’s a really good idea to do our washing today. My thought process was that we will be hanging about waiting for our delivery so I can just keep popping up to the laundry room. I have two loads to do but there is only one washing machine and one dryer. I arrive to a feeling of smugness as the machines are free but then realise I’ve forgotten the washing powder or sheets that I use. ((Honestly!))

What I didn’t account for is that obviously as we are fitting the floor this afternoon once the floor has arrived everything has to go into the bedroom once again and the dryer here isn’t the best here so the towels, bedding and sheets don’t come out completely dry so I have to set up a drying station in the rest of the boat. I will add a video of it to Patreon which anyone should be able to watch! What a mess! I will add the link at the end.

Just as we are tucking into our lunch of noodles, of course, the floor delivery turns up and we scramble about rushing to get ready and out of the boat to meet the driver. At the same time the timer goes off for the washing. ((I’ve never seen you move so fast Peachy!)) washing brought back, vinyl flooring retrieved and it’s back to finish our noodles.

We were going to fit the flooring tomorrow but it’s about 2pm ish and we decide to go for it. I can tell you that fitting flooring on a boat in such a small space with many corners to go around the kitchen units and dinette is hard work esp when I keep having to have breaks because i still haven’t shaken this cold. ((the swear jar was overflowing!)) anyway, for a change we work well together and with a bit of patience we get the flooring down. It’s not completely fitted but we want to let the vinyl settle down before we do the final fit. Even now, the transformation is amazing. It looks so different and we love it. Cannot wait to share the vlog with you. Day done.

Tuesday 30th January Day 192

We get up and crack on with the flooring keen to finish the fitting and get the boat back in order. The surprise is that the wood trim we were going to change looks really good against the contrasting lighter floor and you can now see under the dinette ((no hiding stuff under the dinette now peachy!)) which makes the boat feel bigger. We are really pleased with the choice. ((and you haven’t mentioned multiple times that it was your choice. Nope, not you!))

Not much else to report today as we spend the day fitting the floor and making sure it’s all okay before moving everything back from the bedroom again. I will be so pleased when the boat is all straight again. It doesn’t make much disorder to mess up a boat as you will have seen if you watched the video yesterday. We have wanted to get achieve this finish since we bought the boat in May 2022, so it’s really big achievement for us.

It’s nice to finally have the dinette back in place as well as I have lots of admin and book stuff to catch up on. I’ve had some new followers on Amazon which is fab. If you have an Amazon account you just click on the ‘follow’ the author button and then when i publish any new books you’re notified. I’ve added a link at the end. Day done.

Wednesday 31st January Day 193

It’s the big boat clean and faff day along with wandering into the kitchen and dinette to look at how nice the floor looks. Because of all the sanding we have to give everything a clean before we put it back but it’s very satisfying. This also leads to us cleaning out the water pump in the shower room, as soon as the shower doesn’t drain quickly we know it’s time for a clean. It gets filled with soap and hair etc and it’s just good maintenance to do this job on a regular basis as otherwise it ends up smelling and potentially leaking which is what has happened before. ((Disgusting.))

Faffing of the boat done and it’s looking lovely and clean. I set up my camping chair in the lounge and set to cracking on uploading the tour around Manchester vlog to Patreon and scheduling it to YouTube for Sunday at 6pm. For some reason the signal seems to being kind today. ((I think last time your negative mood was blocking the signal)) you could have something there Brackets. When I used to live in York we had a stereo and if I went close to it when the radio was on it would make the signal go funny! ((Why am I not surprised))

Late in the evening I write up a little bit of my blog before treating myself to watching the last few episodes of the Last of Us – love an apocalyptic series and I appreciate how much we have done on the boat already but also that I’m feeling much better and have more energy. Day done.

Thursday 1st February Day 194

((Pinch punch first of the month and no return)) Darn it! Although in the real world it’s not the 1st of the month so it doesn’t count!

It’s a lovely bright morning as I’m sitting on my chair in front of a fire which is stubbornly refusing to light for some reason even though we have given it a through good clean and emptied the ashes. I’ve written a list and now I’m feeling much better, I intend to crack on and get some admin done today. This starts with updating the blog to try and catch up whilst also setting my photos to upload to icloud so I can start getting the next vlogs sorted. I also need to book my train tickets as I’m popping up to see family for a few days next week which also includes a lovely lunch out with some of my Patreons ((I think you will find they are my number one fans!)) I know, I know. They only read this blog because of you. They don’t realise what you’re going to be like once you get your own merchandise – which I am still thinking about a design before you mention it.

We are having a few days off the DIY, other than little bits and bobs and just enjoying the boat being tidy. I don’t know about anyone else but I struggle to focus on things when the environment around me is messy. 

We have a food shop ordered for tonight between 7pm and 11pm. ((WOW. That’s late for you Peachy)) I know, but we needed shopping and it was the cheapest delivery time and tomorrow we are planning to go into either Stafford, Litchfield or Rugeley as we need some bits and bobs to finish off the DIY projects.

Lunchtime sees us tackling the usual boat jobs; emptying the toilet, getting some coal and filling with water. We are going to use our new gadget which measures how much water goes in. This will be really useful when out on the cut as all the water points vary with water pressure and as there is no gauge in the tank we never have any idea how much water we have or how big the tank is and as we are thinking of adding a washing machine onto the boat, it would be useful to know how much we have. ((coming to YouTube no doubt! Yawnfest))

After the boat jobs are done we decide to go for a walk. It’s the first proper one for me since getting back and the sun is shining and it feels proper spring like. Arriving back at the boat I make a coffee and then slip into the comfort of the dinette and the next four hours are spent finishing getting the blogs up to date and scheduling them. ((Wait a minute. You… as of this moment…. in time… this minute…. this second you’re actually up to date and have scheduled the following weeks blog??? Am I reading this right?)) yes, you are Brackets. Yes, you are. The nature of daily blogging means of course that you cannot write about it until you’ve lived it but just getting up to date is a massive win.

I’ve also planned a social media schedule for my New Zealand book as a little experiment to see if uploading pictures of our adventures on social everyday will generate more book sales. It will be five years on the 17th February which is just not possible it’s been so long.

Chris is currently editing the Jersey vlog with music! So we will see how that goes. It won’t replace the narrowboat vlogs will just be extra bonus content. Day done, very satisfying.

Friday 2nd February Day 195

We brave an early morning visit to the bus stop which isn’t actually marked as a bus stop. We stand on the bridge looking at the canal and watching just a couple of boat moving on the unusually quiet Great Haywood Junction which is normally a hive of activity. The bus turns up a few minutes late. It’s always a bit of ‘will they’ ‘won’t they.’ arrive on time.

We arrive into Litchfield. Is it just me or is it so hard to find anything you want on the high street anymore? We trail around the shops trying to find a few bits of DIY things and household items but it’s just impossible. Bring back Woolworths and all the Wilko’s shops – you could always rely on finding everything you needed there. We should have gone to Rugeley as at least they have a lovely independent hardware type shop when you can get all bits and bobs. It’s make no wonder places like Amazon do so well. ((are you finished?)) yes, just about. It’s just it seems a shame as I love wandering around shops but why bother when you cannot find what you need.

The bus is late to take us home so I end up missing the weekly book chat which is annoying but standard when using public transport in the UK and between the bus and the dodgy road i feel like all my bones have been shaken to bits when we finally get back. The rest of the evening is taken making a lovely tapas style tea and enjoying a few glasses of fizz. Nice to feel up to having a few drinks and chilling. Day done.

Saturday 3rd February Day 196

We decide to crack on with the rest of the DIY in the main area of the boat and it’s ready for a good clean after all that sanding in the kitchen and dining room. There are a few areas we need to tidy up which means the filler comes out first and then a repaint. I think we have finally found the right places for hooks, shelves etc. Although talking of shelves ((Yes please do. There is nothing as interesting as reading your blog to hear you talking about shelves. Riveting. If you don’t get a spread in Take a Break there is no justice in the world)) The shelves… I have been waiting for since we bought the boat as they are for my books. The books I’ve written and published so they are special bookshelves. It’s taken this long to really know how the boat works and how we want to live in it. So I’m creating a book nook! ((okay, fair enough then. That is slightly more exciting shelf talk))

There is of course the break from proceedings as the toilet needs emptying ((You know just because I said you don’t mention the toilet much anymore doesn’t mean you need to start!)) It’s a great faffing day getting jobs ticked off the list.

One of the jobs involves sorting the fire out as the paste isn’t working well. Once winter is done and dusted we will re-do the fire area again as we’ve changed our mind on keeping the tiles. As we will be taking out the flue to fit it all again properly we might as well change the tiles. Another job to do one day. It’s all safe for now to use until the weather warms up and we can stop using it.

We might possibly go our cruising tomorrow but we might just have to finish all these jobs and go out Monday. We will see how it goes and what the weather is like tomorrow. Jobs done. Blog updated and now time for a little glass of fizz. ((Another one!)) Day done.

Sunday 4th February Day 197

It’s a bit of a lazy start today ((Nothing to do with a few extra prosecco’s then?)) Hey a girl’s aloud a couple of drinks. Especially since I didn’t get to enjoy celebrating my book being finished. Also, the geese have decided to make their presence known in the early hours so we have a bit of a disturbed sleep.

Breakfast consumed and coffee drunk we finally get to stage of putting up my new shelves! Very, very exciting and they look fabulous. I still need to do some faffing as I intend to have a row just for the books I’ve published; because why not, after all those years spent writing them and all the hard work. I can see the bookshelves from the dinette where I normally work so that’s a bonus. They make the boat feel so homely and I’m very pleased with how all the work is going on the boat. If we carry on like this, then everything we want to get done will be finished before we leave the marina.

This morning we did wake up to it being a bit too windy to go out so may try again tomorrow. It’s annoying we have to go out of the marina to finish the grinding but looking ahead the temperatures are going back down to zero again so we won’t be able to paint the bow and stern anyway. We will just have to hope we get a couple of days decent weather so we can get it done before we leave the marina.

Chris makes the most of the lazy Sunday and goes back to bed for a power nap as I start to do some of my new jigsaw but I set that aside to get this blog finished and uploaded so I’m as ahead as I can be. I mentioned I’m off the visit family next weekend and want to enjoy time with them. I am going to take my laptop so I can work on the train. I’m itching ((Too much information Peachy)) to get into the canal book and make a start on the editing and research for the history snippets we are going to add.

It’s raining outside as I wrap this up. Time to make another coffee and get back to the jigsaw and listening to my audiobook. The third in the R.R. Haywood; The Code Series which I was going to give up on but glad I continued, even if it’s not his best series. There is still enough in the plot and characters and it’s narrated by Colin Morgan so a delight to listen to. I’m looking forward to hanging about in my reading corner tonight and tackling one of my many kindle books or maybe i might finish one of my paperbacks. What are you reading at the moment?
Another week done. Until next week. Oh and don’t forget our latest vlog should be on Youtube at 6pm. x

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