C.L. Peache's Blog, page 18

Marina life and working on my mystery novel… Day 181

Friday 19th January Day 181

It’s washing day today ((Oh your life is so interesting. I really don’t know why you haven’t got millions of followers. It’s a complete mystery)) and more writing to be done. As usual there is someone else using the launderette on the marina site. I think I may have said that we have decided to get a washing machine on board again. It’s such a faff using communal washing machines and within approx 20 washes the machine will have paid for itself.  We just need to finish the renovation of the kitchen and dinette so the vinyl flooring can be laid and then the washing machine can go in.

In the afternoon I finally catch up with my online book group chat. ((they spend about 5 mins talking about books!)) These are all people I used to work with at the College library back in the day and we normally catch up on a Friday afternoon via FaceTime but i haven’t managed to make it for maybe the last few weeks due to one thing or another ((mainly napping)). I confess to not finishing the book we were reading for our book group. I made it maybe 150 pages and then gave up. I used to be the kind of person who would always finish a book no matter what, but nowadays life is too short to read a book you’re not that bothered with.

I only stay for an hour to chat as Chris has decided to go into Stafford as we need some shopping and I need quiet time to crack on with my book. I finally feel like i’m making some progress. I decided to rewrite the synopsis and blurb for the book. If you’re struggling with organising the plot or feel like the whole story is slipping from your grasp then i can highly recommend taking a step back and writing the blurb. It gives you a really good overview of the whole novel and helps to fit things into place.

Not much else to report today… day done. x

The boat isn’t going anywhere… Day 180

Thursday 18th January Day 180

Everywhere is frozen over, including the marina so The Plot is staying put as the temperatures plummet and I’m glad we bought some coal and logs. We decide to brave the weather and go for a walk to Tixall Wide, but I’m not feeling very energetic… this was the beginning of my cold starting looking back. We did intend to have a good wander because although cold it is a beautiful day but I’m not up to it and I also need to get the book finished ((Just finish the thing already. How hard can it be?)) . We about turn and head back but end up having a good old natter to a chap who was bird watching across the marshy fields.

Interestingly, it’s a bit of thing in the world…. you know how you get in most interests/circles of life. It could be walkers vs cyclists or cars vs motorbikes; whatever it is, well boaters often think fishermen are really grumpy especially when it comes to literally hundreds of them being lined up along a stretch of the canal in competition. I know there are probably equally some boaters who are rude but we always try to be considerate and ask where they want us to go ((Word to the wise Peachy, don’t go saying that to just anyone. They might just tell you the truth)) I think down the middle and slowly is the preferred option. Some like you to go to the furthest edge but that’s not always possible due to the build up of silt and brambles etc.

Anyway, this chap we were talking to said the reason why a lot of them get grumpy is because there is big money in fishing competitions, in some cases thousands of pounds! So, I suppose if they are being disrupted by boaters which scare off the fish etc then I can see why… but ((Always a but…)) the point is boaters pay a lot of money to use the canals and let’s face it they were actually built for boats, maybe fisherfolk have to have a licence etc but I don’t know if any of that goes to the maintenance for what they use. But, that’s by the by. The way we see it is if everyone is just polite and with a little bit of consideration we should all be able to use the canals. ((hope your eye has cleared up before you cruise again because you wont be able to steer straight. Sorry couldn’t help myself!))

When back at the boat there was more writing to be done as well as a power nap and then it’s day done and yes, I’m still sick of the book. ((We are sick of you being sick of the book)) x

Getting the boat ready for the temperatures to plummet! Day 179

Wednesday 17th January Day 179

OMG I’m so behind with blogging – It’s 26th January now. I’ve been ill off and on since we got back from Jersey. Probably picked up a lurgy travelling. ((Eye, eye me hearty!)) Ha, ha. Brackets is referring to the fact I also managed to get an eye infection, which meant soothing cotton patches had to be applied as in the morning, I couldn’t open my eye due to the gunk. ((Pirate peachy you’re so glamorous)) I know, it’s gross. Anyway, I’m going to attempt to catch up in between painting, napping and bathing my eye! As you will know if you normally read my blogs, I missed uploading the weekly blog as it was too painful to look at the screen.

Back to today and its cleaning day as the boat has been left alone for so long. Then it’s up to the marina office to pay for the coal they very kindly left on the boat for us and get some wash tokens. Of course it’s standard to meet someone in the office for a chat and who turns out knows Jersey very well and has family living over there. Chatting done it’s back to the boat and we manage to get the mains water switched on for half an hour to fill up before it’s switched off again as the temperatures are plummeting to about -6 or -7 in the next few days. I’m so over winter now, I want warm sunny days back.

I manage to get a little bit more writing done as the deadline is looming. ((Don’t go on about how sick you are of the book again Peachy else I will make you walk the plank… get it??)) haha. Right, that’s it for the day. ((Eye, eye Captain!)) Day done. x

Back to the boat after 20 days away!

Tuesday 16th January Day 178

Well, for saying we are in a hotel right next to the Luton airport runway it was a very quiet night. The bed is extremely comfy, in fact the whole room is nice and airy and it has a desk. I suppose these are more to accommodate business folk but I treat myself to a updating this blog whilst we have a little bit of time before we have to go and get our shuttle. ((Shuttle?? you’re not on the Enterprise you know!)) well that’s what they call it.

Breakfast is included with the £67 hotel price and very nice it is too with a selection of cooked and continental breakfast. We enjoy a lazy brekkie watching the world go by as people are frantically driving around in and out of the airport and planes taking off in the distance. Then it’s back to the room, writing done then packing and out.

Again, it’s back in the direction of the airport to catch the Dart shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway where we have to wait for the train to St Pancras International. We thought we might go and visit the canal museum and head that way and along the canal. I think unless we have any problems with the canals we are probably going to aim for London come spring which will mean the big trip up the Thames and under Tower Bridge! I might try and see if some friends can meet us and poss film us going under it as we us filming going through it. ((Yeah, yeah we know what you’re like for changing your mind!))

The heavy rucksacks soon defeat me and I don’t want to hurt my shoulder again so we find a newish Wetherspoons near Euston Station where we will be getting our next train to Stafford and then a bus to the marina after we’ve been to the supermarket to get some supplies for the boat.

We have been away from the boat for twenty days so we are hoping no burst pipes, leaks or problems. I contacted the marina and they very kindly left a bag of coal on the stern for us as I don’t think we had much left and it’s not going above freezing this week.

I’ve just finished updating this weeks and last weeks blog whilst in Wetherspoons ((I’m impressed Peachy, you really do actually work when you’re on on a ‘research trip/holiday’)) and the plans have started and we are back on the canal planner looking at where to go this year as I’ve mentioned London is top of the list but it could well change. ((Told you!))

Finally, we get the train back to Stafford around 5p mish and then it’s a trip to Tesco to get essentials like milk etc. We eventually decide to get a taxi rather than the bus back as we are both knackered, it’s gone dark and we still have to sort the boat out.

We finally get back and have a panic when we think the lights aren’t working but realise we flicked off the main switch. It’s cold and we leave our coats on as we put the heating on and light the fire. The mains water has been switched off which is a bit of a problem as it’s supposed to be below freezing all week and we drained most of the water before we left but that’s a problem for tomorrow.

At least everything is okay. No leaks. No water damage, the boat is just as we left it. Day done. X

The research trip is over – Day 177

Monday 15th January Day 177

It’s that standard feeling when you feel as if you’ve been on holiday for ages and then the last day arrives and it feels as if you’ve been away for 5 minutes. We spend a few hours cleaning before we head into St Helier for a final wander around to Havre de pas and then back into town and a trip to the Arts Centre café for a coffee. Then it’s back to the apartment, more cleaning and obviously I treat myself to a final bath before I’m back to the world of only having a shower on the boat.

At 6.30pm we say goodbye to our friends apartment which has been home for over two weeks and a friend very kindly takes us to the airport so we can have a final quick natter about the Island Walk. ((They just wanted to make sure you left! Talk about overstaying your welcome))  If anyone has ever flown from Jersey airport you will know how easy everything is here. In fact, when we arrive we are the only people going through security and they are very friendly. Not like the ones at East Midlands ((You’re going to have to let that go one day Peachy!)) I won’t, I’ve been lucky enough to fly from many airports and East Midlands is officially the unfriendliest ones when you go through security and there is no need for it.

We hang around in the airport for about 50mins before they call our flight which is the last flight off the island and therefore, more staff than passengers boarding the plane it turns out. I think there was perhaps 20 people on the flight, they even had to ask some people to move so they were sitting in the emergency exit seats. There was a weird noise as we landed because of the small amount of passengers, we realised all the bags were slidding in the overhead lockers as we landed. Not something you normally hear as they are usually full with bags.

We arrive 15 mins early and it’s straight through and out the airport. I love travelling to and from Jersey, it is so easy. Then it’s out into the -2 degrees and about a 10-minute walk to our HolidayInnExpress hotel and that’s day done and we are looking forward to getting back to the boat. x

Illness stops play…

Hi all, just a quick message to all my wonderful blog readers…

i’m afraid there won’t be the usual weekly blog today. I’ve managed to get a cold and a double whammy of conjunctivitis in both eyes so screen time is limited and spending a few hours editing and uploading the weekly blog is too painful. ((Drama queen)) I will attempt to upload a daily blog and hopefully normal blogging should resume next week. ((Peachy is still drinking coffee so she’s not that ill!))

Don’t forget our latest narrowboat YouTube vlog will be live at 6pm a usual. watch here

Take care. See you all next week… x

Walking around a castle in the middle of the sea (well nearly!)

Sunday 14th January Day 176

We decide a walk over the sea pathway to Elizabeth Castle is in order since it’s something we haven’t done yet so we have lunch and then walk over when the tide has revealed enough of the path for it to be safe. There is something exciting about walking on a pathway which in a few hours time will be covered by the sea again. Some of the sand is really soft as we decide to walk around the outskirts of the castle, over the rocks, pebbles and shells to the Hermit House, again a video of this will be coming out soon. We spot what looks like an allotment area with a little shed on it so I’m presuming the sea doesn’t make it that far up the walls – or maybe only in bad weather.

We are both knackered when we get back so chill out watching some TV. Chris makes a Sunday dinner and then I do some faffing with the book before checking that everything is in order for our flight tomorrow and then travel back to the marina on Tuesday and thoughts go back to boat life and if the boat will be okay after so long.

OMG I’ve just been looking at the planner for the train on if I didn’t have a ticket for this journey which we booked in advance and it would be £235 pounds! What? I paid £21 for these tickets. Honestly the UK’s transport is a joke and that’s not even for first class.

Right, that’s it for this week as it is currently 12.17pm on Sunday 21st January and this blog is supposed to go out at 12.30pm! nothing like cutting it fine but I’ve been working none stop on the book since I got back and I wasn’t well this morning so I’m behind with everything. So, I hope you have a good week ahead if you’re reading this weekly and ‘see’ you tomorrow if you’re reading it daily. Don’t forget the latest vlog will be alive on YouTube. It’s started slowing down with new subscribers so if you haven’t subscribed or liked any vlogs that would be fab. Thank you and day/week done! Xx

Carless again, beach walks and a trip to the pub…

Saturday 13th January Day 175

It’s up early as we have to return the car by 10 am and need to drive to the airport. We collect the car from the carpark and then head to St Brelades Bay which is yet another stunning beach in Jersey. It’s one I often come to with my friends but it’s normally sunny, unlike the frosty cold morning today but it’s still beautiful. Winter can be such a hard season people who suffer from SAD and struggle with the darker nights. I find them difficult sometimes but winter is too long and I’ve tried over the years to embrace it and enjoy the cosy side of being indoors. Chris finds it a lot harder than me ((That’s because he’s stuck inside with you more! Poor bloke)) I always have something to do and I’ve said before although love getting out and about I’m a home body at heart so give me a jigsaw, a book, writing, vlogging, blogging, freelance work, it’s why I take all these things on, because I like to be busy.

Anyway, car returned and again so easy. Then we wait and catch the double decker bus from the airport back to St Aubins bay and a walk back from there. It’s a very bracing cold morning but exhilarating to be walking on the beach and finally we are back to the apartment for some writing for me and there may or may not have been a powernap involved before heading for our first visit to the pub as we meet some of my Jersey pals for a good old chin wag and I tap them for information as they have all done the Jersey Itex Island Walk ((Oh right, I understand. Even trying to pretend that going to the pub is actually work. I do not believe you)) After a pleasant few hours we grab some noodles for tea and that’s yet another day done and we are coming to the end of our Jersey adventure. Day done. x

To the scene of the crime…

Friday 12th January Day 174

Today is a fab day. It’s a bit cloudier than yesterday so we don’t get the lovely sun reflecting off the sea but it’s still lovely. We visit Portelet beach which is very easy to go down and a bit of killer on the old legs walking back up. We have the beach to ourselves and enjoy just listening to the sound of the sea ((Not your gasping for breath then?)) Don’t ruin the scene I’ve created! Leaving there we head around to the next beach called Ouaisne Bay which I think is pronounced Way-neigh and then there is St Ouens which pronounced St Wans… I think that’s right! On this beach we stumble across the rocks and climb the steps to make it to Portelet common. I take some videos and pictures to help me visualise the final scene. ((Make sure you don’t fall off. It might make you infamous but no good to anyone as you haven’t finished the book yet!!)) I must admit when I was clinging onto a rock I did worry about falling off! This has been really useful and once down it’s on to find a place to eat the butties.

In the afternoon we find the Green Lanes on the island. They are roads where cars have to stick to a 15mph speed and horses, cyclists and walkers have right of way – what a great idea. So many lanes we weaved about and it’s a part of Jersey I’ve never been to before. I normally only come for a few days at the end of June for mine and my friends birthday who lives over here so we don’t get chance to do loads of things ((That’s because you’re usually in the Royal Yacht drinking fizz on the balcony or in the spa!)) Well it is our birthdays.

As we’ve only eaten out once we decide to treat ourselves to fish and chips, it was well worth the wait and we are suitably full as we take the car back into the carpark for the night and head back to the apartment. Jersey really is such a stunning Island and well worth a visit if you get the opportunity.

I’ve got loads of work now to do on the book and so when I get home it’s going to be a good few day of head down and crack on. Since it looks like it’s not going above freezing and -5 some days the marina will no doubt be frozen and so it will be a perfect hiding inside the boat few days ahead of getting stuck in and getting the boat DIY jobs done before we leave the marina.

Day done. x

It’s car hire and book research day in Jersey!

Finally, we get the car and are up early and to the bus station to catch the number 15 to the airport to collect the car. I don’t know about you but I love going on double decker buses. You can see so much ((You mean, nosey in peoples homes and gardens!)) What a journey this turns out to be. There is a guy having a full on conversation on his phone about how he wants his mate to lend him the money to buy him a strip of Viagra because he’s having a few problems, probably due to the ecstasy he’s taking! I mean would you have that kind of conversation so everyone could hear? He was on his way for a job interview. He also then went on to say how he got put away for witness intimidation but said he had mental health problems so got off with a lighter sentence! ((wow!)) I know right, not the kind of conversation I’ve ever heard anyone have in Jersey! I’ve said it before and i will say it again, be careful what you say in the public domain because a writer might be listening. ((and if it’s a writer who can actually remember things then you’re really in trouble!))

It’s the easiest car hire we have ever had. We paid £17 for fuel, got given the keys and told not to worry about anything, we are fully covered and enjoy ourselves! The car hire cost £77 for 2 days so £94 including fuel which is a very reasonable. To drop off, we just park it back in the car hire place and put the keys in a key drop box. Could not be easier. Very impressive.

Then it’s off we go with butties made to save some pennies for the full island tour stopping off at various locations i need to check for my book. I’m not sure when the Jersey vlog will go out but there are pics on Instagram. We stop off at a few places which are in the book but plan to visit the main dramatic scene in the book tomorrow.

We arrive back to the apartment around 4.30pm which is about the time it goes dark and park the car in the carpark across the road from the apartment. Its free between 6pm-8am and then only £1 per hour. We intend to be up early tomorrow for our last full day with the car.

Great day and really nice for Chris to get to see the island properly. This is what we normally do when on holiday ((HA got you! You said it was a research trip!! You weren’t fooling anyone.)) whatever! It’s a brilliant way to explore somewhere and we enjoyed our butties parked up in layby overlooking the sea and the lighthouse. Jersey has so absolutely stunning places to visit and even on dreary days the sea is always that lovely green/blue.

Day done and looking forward to tomorrow. x