C.L. Peache's Blog, page 28

Narrowboat adventure – cruising and floods!

Monday 23rd October – Day 99

I decided to keep this blog to weekly and share my wordcount on socials to keep me on track to write 50,000 words in November! ((Thank goodness for that. We see enough of you each day thank you!))

It’s up early and a wander to the shops as we need some bits and bobs from places like Poundland, Home Bargain, B&Q and Aldi so we can stock up before we head into more remote places. Shopping done we have lunch before setting off to cruise about 12.30pm.

We finally moor up at 4pm and then it’s time to get the spuds and veggies chopped for tea. It’s been a wonderful cruise today. We tackled four locks and I enjoyed doing them all and they are all very easy to work even if some of them were very deep locks. Some of this canal reminds of the tree lined Ashby Canal and maybe a little bit of the Erewash. All the way along this route the fields are flooded after the heavy rain and storm and I’ve been receiving pictures and videos of how bad it is in Newark where we used to live. Lots of people have been evacuated who live near the River Trent and unbelievably the river level is the same either side of the lock! Just shows how much rain we’ve had.

It funny how you can come to a lock and just get a really nice feeling about it as I did with most of the ones on this stretch. Especially when they are in the middle of nowhere. We pass a marina which also had boat hire and a chandlery but we have topped up for most things.

Right, off now to finish making dinner and then relax after a very physically busy day. Great to get back to doing locks though and cruising after a week of being in the same area it’s nice to be on new water and exploring new areas.

Miles/Distance:  5 miles (Meadowlane bridge, Stafford to Just past Longford lock, near Penkridge)Locks: 4

*Did you know i’ve written a fantasy series which is available on Amazon. Only £3.98! https://amzn.eu/d/6cdk6Sy

Narrowboat life – Day 99 – 105 – Mon 23rd Oct – Sun 29th Oct

Monday 23rd October – Day 99

I decided to keep this blog to weekly and share my wordcount on socials to keep me on track to write 50,000 words in November! ((Thank goodness for that. We see enough of you each day thank you!)) Also, for anyone who doesn’t have time to read this in one go i’m going to put it on daily starting tomorrow so if you read this and then tomorrows and it looks familiar that’s why!

It’s up early and a wander to the shops as we need some bits and bobs from places like Poundland, Home Bargain, B&Q and Aldi so we can stock up before we head into more remote places. Shopping done we have lunch before setting off to cruise about 12.30pm.

We finally moor up at 4pm and then it’s time to get the spuds and veggies chopped for tea. It’s been a wonderful cruise today. We tackled four locks and I enjoyed doing them all and they are all very easy to work even if some of them were very deep locks. Some of this canal reminds of the tree lined Ashby Canal and maybe a little bit of the Erewash. All the way along this route the fields are flooded after the heavy rain and storm and I’ve been receiving pictures and videos of how bad it is in Newark where we used to live. Lots of people have been evacuated who live near the River Trent and unbelievably the river level is the same either side of the lock! Just shows how much rain we’ve had.

It funny how you can come to a lock and just get a really nice feeling about it as I did with most of the ones on this stretch. Especially when they are in the middle of nowhere. We pass a marina which also had boat hire and a chandlery but we have topped up for most things.

Right, off now to finish making dinner and then relax after a very physically busy day. Great to get back to doing locks though and cruising after a week of being in the same area it’s nice to be on new water and exploring new areas.

Miles/Distance:  5 miles (Meadowlane bridge, Stafford to Just past Longford lock, near Penkridge)
Locks: 4

Tuesday 24th October – Day 100

Day 100! Wow how quick has that gone? Cannot believe we have been cruising the cut so long. Today we wandered into Penkridge and what a lovely place it is. Then it’s back to the boat and I crack on with editing as a few days cruising soon mounts up the vlogs and the days and weeks seem like they are all merging into one. It’s make no wonder i don’t know what day it is when i’m working on my blog in real time then editing it a week behind then the vlogs are being uploaded in real time but edited in the past ((You’re no the only one confused!)) My friend only came to visit on Saturday and it feels like it was weeks ago! Very strange getting used to not having a fixed timescale or routine like you have when working at a fixed place, living in a fixed place and having a routine.

Wednesday 25th October – Day 101

We leave Longford Lock and it’s a short cruise to Penkridge Lock and the services. We queue jump! Eekkk. It’s hard to tell on some of these lock landings as people do sneak in mooring at the end of them and so we thought the people were just moored as we didn’t even spot them being ready to cruise. I wandered up to the lock and someone was already on their way out so left the gates open and we cruised in. Then I got chatting to a woman and they were the other boat! She said she didn’t mind though as they were off to ‘wind’ the boat.

There were quite a few boats on the move and it was busy back and forth as we made use of the services before heading off. I’d started doing the washing when we set off as it’s the most efficient way to do it especially when we are about to fill with water. I pop back in the boat and set the washing machine to spin and drain when Chris shouts we are at the next lock! I missed that one when I checked the map so I made sure it wouldn’t flood the shower room and off I went to collect my windlass and tackle Filance Lock.

Once done it was back in the boat to finish the washing and then soon after we stopped at a place called Cross Keys as there was a co-op nearby so I set to making carrot and coriander soup and chris went for supplies. Lunch over, we move on.

It’s the coldest day yet for cruising. It says its about 10 degrees but it feels colder. We arrive at Otherton Lock quickly followed by Rodbaston Lock, Boggs Lock and finally Bridge Kiln Lock where I get chatting to a boater who lives at Mercia Marina where we visited in September and where we bought The Plot. Anyway, it turns out we have made a rookie mistake and because we decided to cruise the staffs and Worcester and then onto the Shroppie we didn’t check the winter stoppages and sure enough there is some work being done on the locks on the Shroppie so we now have to crank it quicker than we expected to get past before the navigation is closed from 6th nov – 22nd dec! then some further up are closed from jan – feb so it’s going to be a tricky trying to find a canal we can cruise whilst being ready for them to open in spring! Oh well, I’m sure we will figure something out!

For now, it’s on with the plan and try and get past the stoppage before 6th November.

Miles: 3
Locks: 6

Thursday 26th October Day 102

We wake up to a wet and drizzly day and the first day in a long time and everything is soaking wet. The covers, the ropes, everything. Luckily, we only have one lock to do which is Gailey Lock and it’s only a couple of minutes cruise. So, I go ahead and get that set and then use the boat services here. Really impressive tower here which I think used to be café or shop. Once we are through, I escape into the boat and leave the Captain to cruise as there is no point in us both getting wet!

Typically, as we moor up just past lunchtime near Gravelly Way Bridge and the sun comes out so Chris decides to tackle the bow as we are in the middle of nowhere so the grinder comes out and he sets to. It’s a filthy, dirty and noisy job but it has to be done and it’s going to be worth it as it’s becoming a great winter storage area for the coal and logs etc which means everything is nice and dry before we bring it into the boat.

Job done we settle down and there is the most amazing full moon lighting up the boat. What an absolute treat is it. Weirdly we are looking out and some kayakers go past in the dark!

Miles: 0.6 mile
Locks : 1

Friday 27th October Day 103

Today will be our second longest cruise at 9 miles. ((You’re not going to break any records are you Peachy!))

We are off cruising by 10am and with no locks to do today we make our way to the junction to turn around! We run out of milk ((Wait call the emergency coffee addict number! How can you have a cappa without milk??!!)) I know! We find a little mooring spot on the route near a pub and walk over a field and road and into a little village called Coven ((Well, you would fit right in there wouldn’t you? Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)) which is apt as it’s nearly the witching time of the month!

Supplies purchased we carry on the cruise going through a really narrow stretch. Oh, just remembered just as we set off, we were treated to a kingfisher just casually hanging about on a branch a few feet from the boat! Didn’t fly off as we approached. I did get a little blurred video of it but was too busy looking at it! Then moments later a heron flew across the canal. There is certainly plenty of wildlife on the stretch as we meet a ‘gang of ducks’ further along.

We arrive at the shroppie junction and turn the boat around and back in the direction of Great Haywood. I didn’t think we would be coming back up this area for a long time but here we are going around in circles again. I was determined we weren’t going to rush this journey and if we decided to crack on up the Shroppie we would be rushing. Also there seems to be a massive shortage of space available in marina’s ((No, they just don’t want you in there!)) and if we don’t get a marina over winter we will have to change some plans so it’s back to the drawing board so to speak!

Miles: 9 miles
Locks: 1

Saturday 28th October – Day 104

Today we decide to stay put so no cruising. We have a wander back into the village after a morning of cleaning and faffing on the boat and watching some bike racing. We tackle a few little jobs like tacking up the wires for the aerial we installed and add a few bits to the shower room. I’ve said before, I’m looking forward to sorting this room out as one our winter project.

Today we finally sorted out our plan for the winter. I think I mentioned before we have the opportunity to visit Jersey in January for a few weeks as I need to do research for my book ((tell us another one)) which should fall really nicely as hopefully I will be getting the Jersey book back in the next few days so I can work on that through November. Email it back to my publisher for edits and comments and then I can tweak some specific scenes when I get to Jersey. We didn’t want to leave the boat on the cut for that amount of time and we were really struggling to get in Marinas. Luckily we have manged to get in Great Haywood Marina which has worked out really well as it’s in a great location and easy to get to trains etc and friends are not too far away.

In the evening we decide to visit the pub as its about 2 mins away. After a few drinks and a lovely meal, it’s back to the boat. Rookie mistake though as we forgot our head torches so the phone torch has to do the job as we navigate the slippy and muddy footpath. ((Oh I wish you’d fallen in!)) Hey, that’s not very nice. I think I’ve done my job of falling in ((You only went up to your waist. That doesn’t count and anyway no-one filmed it so doesn’t count!))

In the evening I peer out the window as it’s so bright I wonder if a boat is cruising at night but it’s the full moon illumining the sky. How wonderful to watch the reflection in the water. The north star is very clear. Wonderful.

Sunday 29th October  Day 105

We decide to cruise today and eventually stop somewhere near Gailey Lock and the services. It’s a gorgeous day and the sun is dazzling as we set off. I decide that since we’ve cruised this area I will set to and do the washing so as not to use our batteries. I stick on a classic bit of Barry Manilow. (( Barry ‘flippin’ Manilow!?!?!? I knew you were old Peachy but come one!)) Hey, don’t diss Barry. This morning memories of being in the living room at home when I was kid, mum ironing, good old Barry on the record player. Happy memories. ((I’m surprised you can remember!))

We often say how we feel this adventure has taken us back in time. I suppose it’s having the time to think about the past and events. That when you’re just naturally happy all those good memories come back. When you’re stressed or not happy in life it’s difficult to recount those times. ((Your happiness must be off the chart to sing along to Barry Manilow!)) I dare you not to sing out loud to Mandy or tap your feet to Copacabana. ((If I had either of those things I still wouldn’t do it!)) You don’t know what you’re missing!

Anyway, we have a lovely cruise and washing done I make a sweet potato and coconut soup before we decide to tackle the bow again ((Royal We)) and get the messy, horrible job of grinding the floor finished. Hopefully this will be the last of this job and we can get on with rust protection and painting so that’s another massive job done for winter.

Right, I better go as once Chris has finished in the bow I’m going to have to clean the outside of the boat as it makes a right royal mess. Another week done and we are going to study the maps and stoppages on the canals so that we can see where we can cruise to before we head into the marina in December. We might possibly go up the Trent and Mersey but who knows with us!
Miles : 4
locks: 0
Until next time. Xx

Narrowboat life… Day 92 – 98 – Mon 16th – Sun 22nd October

Monday 16th – Day 92

Today we decided to explore a bit more of the Shugborough estate whilst we are staying in the area as there is so much to see. It’s a beautiful, crisp autumnal walk and we are all wrapped up but the shades are on as it’s so bright. The house isn’t open at this time of the morning so we cross the ancient bridge and skirt the grounds and find ourselves at Shugborough tunnel, which is very impressive. Spotting a sign for Hadrien’s Arch which has been built on top of the hill. We cross the field and spot a herd of deer in a field which are gathered at the edge of the woods; which is part of Cannock Chase and area of Outstanding natural beauty. The views from the top of the hill are stunning.

We then started our return to the boat where we did some boat faffing, had the rest of the carrot and coriander soup from yesterday, more faffing and then ate leek and potato pie for tea. It was a well-deserved chilled afternoon on the boat.

Tuesday 17th October Day 93

We decide it’s time to cruise today as we may have overstayed slightly. In our defence there has been other spare moorings for people so it’s not as if we are stopping anyone but we are ready to cruise ((I’m grassing you up to CRT!)) . We still need to be in this area so first we make our way to the services at Great Haywood.

The wind has picked up today, another reason for moving as well so we can get moored up somewhere new in case the storm hits. We also fill up with diesel whilst we are here as the boatyard can reach the boat whilst we are filling with water on the services so very useful. Our diesel is used for heating and cruising. The last time we filled up was at Langley Mill so we reckon we have used approx. 80 litres which today cost us £88 so approx. £12 per week on diesel for the journey so far. Not sure if that is good or bad, we will see how we go over the year.

Chris does another perfect wind of the boat ((Not the only one to have wind when you mention all this veg you’ve been eating!!)) OI! Rude. And then we are on a virgin waters ((I’m saying nothing. Nothing!)) on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. We are lucky enough to get the perfect mooring at the Tixall Wide area and once moored set to sorting the aerial out as we still haven’t gotten around to tracing the wires through the roof box and into the boat. All done I then set to with the silicone around the chimney on the roof. Still a few little finishing touches but more jobs nearly ticked off the list.

We enjoy a Sunday dinner before having a walk along the canal as the sun sets over the water. Sitting at the dinette ((Standard)) I’m typing this up and once again feeling very grateful for the life we have.

Wednesday 18th October Day 94

Well today has been a pretty perfect day. I decided to indulge myself and stayed in bed all morning reading! What an absolute treat especially as Chris brought me coffee and teacakes in bed when I needed them. ((You don’t deserve him. Lazy)) I loved Sally Page’s first book; Keeper of Secrets and knew I had to binge read her new one; Book of Beginnings. Brilliant. Also, an author must read a lot. It’s the law! ((So, you’re trying to say reading a book is work? Unbelievable!))

Then it was a wander to the shops to get some supplies, back home to make a lasagne for tea and cracking on with some editing and writing prep and would you believe it… I’m actually, for the first time up to date with all my editing and blog! ((No, surely not. This cannot be!)) I know right! Day 94 and finally I’ve caught up. I’ve even got a few vlogs in the bag so might just make a few extra live. ((I’m still in shock!)) I wanted to get at least a month in advance as we all know my internet connection can be a bit dodgy but I seem to have managed to get enough vlogs edited until December! Although I did want to get up to date as I’ve mentioned I want to do NaNoWriMo in November. ((I cannot believe you’ve caught up))

As I’m still waiting for my novel back from my publisher I’m going to crack on with getting the canal book in shape as I’ve outlined the ideas for each chapter etc but then I really want to get on with a new project. ((Just get on with it then!)) I know, I should be then once I get my story back I will have to stop whatever I’m working on and crack on with that but it might be I cannot help myself as the characters are nagging me to crack on!

Thursday 19th October – Day 95

I’ve having a ‘meh’ not feeling great day so have a bit of a lay in before cracking on with my canal book. As the book will be created from this very blog like I did with my New Zealand book I need to copy over all the blogs and then edit. At the moment I’m planning that it will be broken up into seasons and then into months so I’ve copied over all the blog posts from July which amounted to approx. 8,500 words which I then had to reduce down to roughly 6,500 which will be about a chapter length for each month. I really enjoy editing it and it takes me right back to the beginning of the journey. In a few days’ time it will be our 100th day of cruising which blows my mind really. I feel like we have only just started this adventure! ((Feels like a thousand days to me!))

Friday 20th October – Day 96

Rain, rain and more rain sums up today. Lots of checking on the leaks and lots of bowls placed to catch the drips. It’s very difficult as this driving, heavy rain sometimes gives a false sense that the boat is like a sieve but it’s often due to the wood contracting/expanding with the weather but we are deffo going to have to take out one of the shower room window and one in the main area and re seal them. We have already done this to some other so at least know how to do them now. The duck hatch is another issue. This has been leaking for years most likely a long time before we bought the boat as the wood is so rotten under the gunnel but we are waiting to tackle this job. I notice some boaters put a tarpaulin or something on the outside but we are going to have to tackle this before the relentless weeks of rain arrives. We are going to try resealing it and some good old silicone for now.

As it’s an inside day I decide to crack on getting the canal book in order before playing a game of labyrinth which I lose… again. Later on in the evening we are treated to a wonderful murmuration of starlings swooping over the boat. Simply magical! This is on my YouTube channel if you want to see it.

Before bed it was position all the bowls and hope for the best come morning and just before I head to bed, I hear the owl outside signalling that the watcher of the night hours is on duty.

Saturday 21st October – Day 97

Thankfully all is well as the rain slowed down around 4am. It’s cruising day today as both cassettes need emptying, the boat needs water and rubbish needs emptying. The ropes are soggy and the grass is damp which isn’t surprising and we are pleased we are on the canals as so many rivers have burst their banks and some people are really suffering from the serious flooding. We really need to be more organised with our winter outfits and my gloves are soaking wet as I push the boat out so we can turn it in the Tixall Wide and head back to Great Haywood junction and cannot believe how much the area has changed due to the flooding. It’s unrecognisable from a few days ago.  

A friend is popping to see us to drop off our parcels and we also enjoy a wander around the farmshop and a cheeky visit to the café for lunch. Then we decide to go for a walk around Shugborough Estate, only to be stopped in our tracks when we see the level of the river and after a risk assessment we decide it’s deeper than our wellies so have no option but to turn around and go to the pub in Great Haywood ((OH you poor things!)) then it’s a visit to the shop and back to the boat for a game of Labyrinth which I lose again ((I’m not laughing)) It’s been lovely having a friend over as I’m a sociable person ((who knew)) and most days other than possibly chatting to boaters at locks etc it’s just us to and we get on well most of the time but it’s nice having a friend around so they can enjoy this adventure as well.

Once I’ve said goodbye it’s back to the boat to watch Motogp where we get rudely interrupted by some swans. Tomorrow we are leaving this area and heading…

Sunday 22nd October – Day 98

Finally, we leave Great Haywood. It’s been a fabulous area to hang about in over the last how ever many days but we are more than ready to move on and explore new places. There have been quite a few boats leave ahead of us and sure enough when we arrive at Tixall Lock and there is a traffic jam. On the canals! There is one in the lock and we are number 3 waiting so I wander ahead to see if I can help but as there are some families on hols they are enjoying doing the locks so I just stand around and natter. Apparently, this wonderful stretch of new towpath was paid for by HS2 so that’s one thing I know of which has made the 45.6 billion pounds or whatever they have spent worth it. It is a great towpath! It takes a while to get through but luckily there are boats coming and going in both directions so it’s one in and one out until it’s our turn and then off we cruise. There will be no more locks to do as we don’t cruise for too long as we stop just past meadow bridge so we can get some shopping done at Aldi.

And that’s it for another week!  Don’t they go quickly? I’ve been thinking about going back to daily blogs in November as I will be doing National Novel writing Month so it will hopefully keep me on track with my word count and I can use my blog towards my wordcount if I’m struggling! ((That’s cheating! You’re supposed to write 50,000 words on a new project!)) No, that’s not true I can count whatever I like! Anyway, just pre-warning you to be prepared for daily spam!

Until next week or maybe tomorrow. Who knows… x

Miles/Distance:  4miles (Great Haywood Junction to Meadowlane bridge)
Locks: 1

Narrowboat life – Day 85 – 91 – Mon 9th Oct – Sun 15th Oct

Monday 9th October – Day 85

Cruising day today. We seem to be getting into the habit of cruising on a Monday morning which is a nice way to keep some kind of routine. We had an early morning wander to Tesco and then it was time to untie the ropes and off we go to a chorus of goodbyes from the local ducks!

I’m updating this on Thursday and I cannot remember what we did or where we moored. I swear my memory is absolutely shocking! I really need to get into the habit of updating this at the end of each day but something always happens and I forget but I create so much extra work for myself trying to go back and remember. ((Wow that was a good mini rant! But still, I’m going to get my microscopic violin out))

It’s now four hours later as I gave up and did some editing and started making lists on my monthly planner and that has helped with working out where we were and what we did so here goes… ((You just wanted to use your new planner admit it! You’re a stationery addict!)) Well, I did and i am but also when I come to turn this adventure into a book next year having all this information will be more than helpful as I don’t want to have to go back and try and find all this.

So, we cruised for about 3.5 miles and moored up somewhere near Little Haywood. It was quite a noisy mooring as this is near an area with a few train lines which carry passengers and freight so they are busy all night but it’s easy to drown it out noises especially when we are treated to the most amazing sunset! I’ve added the pics to my Instagram if you want to have a look. It also reminded me of the Stephen King film; Mist, but thankfully no monsters arrived! As the sun was setting the mist starting rolling off the River Trent and across the fields and then onto the canal – simply beautiful.

After we moored up earlier I nearly ticked off the job of cleaning the windows as I still have the kitchen window on the canal side which I couldn’t clean last time as we had varnished the worktop and I didn’t want to get it dirty ((Not this again. How many windows have you got on that boat! Please let it be over soon. This chapter will be riveting in your book – you could market it as a sleep aid)) and if I do say so myself, they look great and hopefully that means they are all sorted for winter and then just need the normal regular cleaning.

Miles/Distance:  3.5 (Rugeley to near Little Haywood  )
Locks: 1

Tuesday 10th October – Day 86

Cruising day again today as the aim to get to Great Haywood and beyond so we can moor up. When we arrived at the junction where the boat services are we chatted to a guy who told us its going to rain again tomorrow so we made the decision to try and moor up somewhere nice.

But before that we cruised past The Pirate Boat! I mention her tomorrow as I’m working backwards on my days ((Why does this not surprise me!)) Heidi was just looking out the window so like a super fan I gave her double thumbs up and shouted we loved her channel ((OH dear God!)) she waved thank you and when I tagged her on Instagram ((This gets worse – you know people get put away for stalking!)) she sent me a nice message back.

Miles/Distance:  2 (Little Haywood to bridge 78  )
Locks: 2 (Haywood Lock & Hoo Mill Lock – both nice locks)

I really do love these single locks on the Trent and Mersey Canal. I was chatting to someone who thought some of them were difficult and I mentioned how difficult the Erewash was and these are easy in comparison. I guess it’s all relative to what your frame of reference is.

We moor up just past the bridge for lunch and so I can do some washing as we have filled up at the water point and have hot water from cruising. We are right next to a very active wasps’ nest but luckily they keep their distance. There must have been thousands of them! Anyway, it soon all done and we move on and decide to turn the boat around in the winding hole before the next lock so we are facing the right way to cruise back to the junction. Chris did a great job of turning the boat which I filmed but might have to time-lapse it when I add to YouTube. We moored up for the night shortly after in the perfect spot near Ingestre Bridge.

We went for a wander after tea and there were some beautiful horses in the field – one looked like Black Beauty from the tv series. ((Showing your age there Peachy)) We walked up which I would say is an old drovers road and onto a bridge which had seen better days but it’s so interesting to explore these places. We spot a kingfisher swooping under the bridge and the pheasants are out in force in the fields. We are treated to the most glorious sunset over the hills and fields. Wonderful! I decide the remote and very large building across the building are probably some kind of cult! ((Honestly the places your brain goes to!))

Wednesday 11th October – Day 87

The promised rain arrived and we have a cosy day on the boat to start the big clean up. It’s the same as living in a house when you tackle DIY jobs, the whole place gets neglected and it soon becomes a mess! I also try and get my videos and vlogs sorted. I was doing so well getting ahead and then with both of us being poorly on and off for a couple of weeks as well as me doing my author event and prepping for that, I’m very behind and have about 6 weeks worth of vlogs to edit! ((I’ve got a bone to pick with you. Don’t you go giving orders to one of my number one fans about hurrying up to watch your vlogs to check them. She has more important things to do like book holidays!)) Alright!

During a break in the weather we decide to have a wander up the tow path and spot The Pirate Boat again moored further along – sharing a canal with Narrowboat Vlogging royalty. I highly recommend you check out her channel, Heidi is so funny – as long as you like innuendos though lol ((Heidi is a bit rude Peachy!)) I know, but very, very funny and it’s only in a jokey way. We love watching her.

Then it was back to the dinette and more editing. ((GO on Peachy. Confess what you did…)) Well, I might have accidentally ((Because her infamous Yorkshire strength she goes on about failed her…)) put a big log on the fire which set the smoke alarm off. But it wasn’t because of the fire blazing hotter than the fires of Mordor. It was because Chris ((Oh, how did we know somehow it wouldn’t really be your fault!)) had painted the stove again and we hadn’t had a proper hot fire blazing and to seal the paint you have to have a hot fire. It was a good job it happened when the rain had stopped but we had to go out in the dark at about 7.30pm ((Royal we)) and open all the cratch covers, duck hatch and windows to let the fumes out! Even though I knew we were safe, it was just the fumes and not the boat burning down it was stressful! The next day we took off the brass ring at the top of the fire to double check and everything was fine. At least we can say that the stove is 100% correct and safe. I’ve accidentally done us a favour really. ((Well you would see it like that!))

Thursday 12th October – Day 88

Moving day today as the weather has cleared even though it is certainly colder. As I said a friend is coming up on Saturday as we’ve had some items posted to her house so need to be back near the Great Haywood junction ((So nothing at all to do with the farmshop then??)) we also want to charge the batteries and use the services again before we have to break out the spare cassette again. It’s a lovely cruise for about a mile and Chris does a perfect turning again before reversing the boat into a space just near the junction so we still have the chance to change our minds about the direction we want to go in; which changes hourly!

I crack on with another wash as might as well take advantage of being near the water point and as I’ve said before, our Twintub probably equates to a quarter of a wash of a normal washing machine. We have ordered a clothes dryer as we think it will be useful, especially in winter for drying clothes rather than hanging them from the curtain poles.

Other than a little walk I spend the rest of the day trying to catch up with blogs and vlogs now we have a better signal. It was almost impossible at the last mooring as the signal got worse, along with the weather. Tomorrow we are hoping to have a look at some of the wonderful places nearby depending on how the weather holds out.

Miles/Distance: 1
Locks: 1 (Hoo Mill Lock – lovely lock)

Friday 13th October – Day 89

The weather really kicked off today so it was an inside boat day and I carry on with vlogging and blogging ((Honestly, you’re stringing them out a bit!)) they take ages! I’ve said before that it is true that roughly every minute of a vlog which is uploaded to YouTube equates to about an hour and it’s true. When you consider filming it, checking the video, editing, uploading, creating the video and then downloading and uploading to YouTube ((Alright, I believe you, I wasn’t that interested!)) I do enjoy and I’m trying to get ahead as once I get my novel back I’m going to have to crack on with some serious writing as I will have approx 50k to add. Although I usually take part in something called NaNoWriMo which is National Novel Writing Month in November and the aim is to write 50k in a month so that will help and then fingers crossed I’m going to Jersey in Dec/Jan where the book is set for research ((Yeah, we believe you!))

I cannot keep up with all the amazing reviews coming in for Power of Nature. It’s one of those goals in life where I wanted to reach 50 reviews for a book which has taken 4 years and now it’s smashing past and currently on 64!

Saturday 14th October – Day 90

My friend was due to come up today but sadly she couldn’t make it so we change our plans slightly and head into Stafford for a wander. It’s lovely place with some really nice oldy worldy places and parks. Sadly the high street has too many empty shops as does everywhere at the moment but there was a little vibrant market and walks along the river so well worth a visit although due to the heavy rains just lately the river has burst it’s banks somewhat and a lot of the riverside walk was closed off. Makes you wonder what it’s going to be like when winter proper kicks in!

We were going to go out for a meal but decide against it. It’s our 25th Anniversary but to be honest we cannot afford to go out for the day and a meal as we all know how much everything has gone up, so instead we settle down on the boat, enjoy a pizza and a couple of drinks and reminisce on days gone by and future adventures to come.

Sunday 15th October – Day 91

 Well, that was a night! We haven’t quite got ourselves prepared for winter as I get up at 3am as the temperatures have plummeted! I discover we only have a small log and one piece of coal! It’s like Scrooge has moved onto the boat. So, eventually it’s lights on, a trip into the bow to get logs and coal before relighting the fire and setting up camp on the dinette. The whole thing folds down to create a double bed and it’s much warmer than the bedroom once it’s gets going! The plan is to be a bit smarter ((So, choked on my espresso then))

It’s so funny. I’m currently sitting at the dinette and the amount to people who walk past and comment on the boat name either The Plot – have they lost the plot? ((Yes you have)) or haha, look, “it’s called the Halfcut carrying co'”. It makes me smile to hear people laugh and giggle as they go past.

Anyway back to the middle of the night…

So we need to be a bit more prepared now. When we lived in the marina it was no problem as we would just plug in the little portable electric fire but we had access to mains electric. If we have a day where we are not getting much solar or haven’t cruised or run the engine to top up the batteries then we cannot run an electric fire all night and even then it would drain the batteries too much. The plan is to either put the fire on for a little bit before bed just make the air warm – I’m not very good with the cold but if it’s warm when I get in bed and fall to sleep I will be okay. We do have a fan on the fire to spread the heat but in really cold nights that won’t be enough. We can put the heating on but that uses diesel and if the coal fire is on the main part of the boat would get too hot! ((I’m lost. Just put a hat on or woman up!)) it’s just getting that right balance as I refuse to be cold. We will figure it out. It’s a nice challenge to try and work out how to heat the boat in the most efficient way.

Coffee drunk and breakfast consumed we decide to go for a wander around Shugborough Estate which is part of the National Trust. What a beautiful place. It’s one of those days you need to wrap up warm but also where your sunglasses on as it’s so sunny which is great for solar! Wander done, we head to the farmshop to purchase some amazing veg and home to make soup and settle down to watch MotoGP.

We need to stay in the area to hopefully see my friend next week. Not only for a catch up but as i’ve said we’ve had a number of things sent to her house, but we need to leave here soon as the winter mooring times haven’t changed so I think we will cruise a short distance down the staffs and Worcester canal to the Tixall Wide we saw the other day with the beautiful sunset, as we can also wind the boat and come back to the junction ready for Saturday.

Right, until next week! xx

Don’t forget my vlog should be live as well. Click here and if you want to have a nosey at the sunset pictures check out my Instagram page.

Day 78-84 – Mon 2nd Oct – Sun 9th Oct

Monday 2nd October Our first morning in the marina and we have a few jobs to get stuck into and one of them is Chris cutting the lockers out of the bow. A few reasons for this; one is that the lids are metal and so heavy I cannot even lift them and two, they take up way too much room so the idea is to get rid so we can store stuff like a pushbike but also bags of coal and logs for the winter which means when we don’t need them in better weather we can use the space for the chairs to chill out. The third reason is that due to the weight distribution we cannot fill our water tank to the max as it takes our bow down into the water which then fills up the gas locker with water which isn’t ideal so we are hoping getting rid of the weight of the lockers is a win all around – we will see! We also take advantage of being in the marina to do the washing as they have a launderette although it’s more expensive than the last marina – £6 wash and £4 dry. At Mercia it was £3.50 wash and £1.20 dry so a big difference, it’s also more expensive per night to moor here and whilst their facilities are lovely they don’t have all the amenities at Mercia Marina. They are very friendless and helpful here though. We have a Tesco delivery arriving tonight as well some Amazon items arriving tomorrow. There are certainly perks to having an address. We still need a lot of stuff due to the fact we are still doing up the boat and wanting to get the outside ready for winter. We probably have another month where we will have the weather and the temperatures for painting etc.

Tuesday 3rd October : This morning we decide to tackle another job, as why only have one messy job on the go when you can make life living in a small space so much harder by deciding to sand the worktop in the kitchen and revarnish it. ((Oh my heart bleeds for you Peachy!)) This meant, of course, moving everything out and onto the dinette. I can confirm it doesn’t take too many things out of place for a boat to look very messy and it stresses me out living in an untidy mess but it’s a job that needs doing. There is method in our madness though ((I beg to disagree)) as we are going to visit Lichfield this afternoon whilst we are in the area so the varnish can dry and the smell dissipate whilst we are out.

We discover the transport isn’t that great from Kings Bromley Marina, the site itself is lovely and they have made many upgrades especially in the facilities since we visited last year but you have to walk quite a way to get to the bus stop on a busy road so we book a taxi which is obviously more costly. Lichfield is a lovely city. It’s what I would say is more like a small market town but it officially a city. It has some very notable people who lived there. Here is a link to have a nosey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichfield. It reminded me of a mix of York, Cambridge but the size of maybe Newark in the centre. Some very beautiful buildings. We had a wander to the cathedral and unbeknownst to us the Gaia was there! Well worth a visit if you go. Wandering done and food eaten we headed to Tesco to get a couple of bits we had missed off the shopping list. Taking advantage of getting some heavier items as we are getting a taxi back. It wasn’t the cheapest day out but as it will be a while before come this way again we wanted to make sure we see as much as we can.

Wednesday 4th October : Today it’s cleaning windows day! ((It’s about time Peachy. Your windows are disgusting!)) I know! Every time we go through a lock and I’m checking out the boat I think how disgusting they look. It’s not the glass. How to explain… there is a pane of glass which sits within a sill, like a top opener but the lip is effectively outside so open to the elements and it’s full of like greeny, slimy stuff ((You are gross!)) also, on the inside it has like a gulley/channel where the water from the windows drops into and then through little holes drains outside, except these are blocked. It’s a little bit like cleaning caravan windows. As we have been doing so many jobs on the boat they were one of the jobs I just never got around to. But today I rolled up my sleeves. ((People, they were disgusting! And I mean disgusting!)) Alright, yes it wasn’t the most pleasant job. It took me about an hour to do each window but I was rewarded the next morning when the bedroom window which starts to have  condensation on them this time of year but now you can clearly see where the window is clearing a bit like when you put the blowers on in car to clear the windows. ((Alright, we’re not that interested! You cleaned your windows do want an MBE or something!)) I know it may be boring to you but sorting out problems like this make the boat breathe better and ultimately will make the windows last longer. I’ve still got the other side to do when we are moored up so I can reach them ((Oh joy. I look forward to that!))

The workshop also gets another coat of varnish and once dried that should be all sealed and sorted for a while. We also finished clearing the bow and are well chuffed with the space. Still a lot more to do but Chris needs some grinding wheels to take it back to metal which we will hopefully get in Rugeley. It’s a good job we tackled it though as it was rusty. I reckon a couple more years without treatment could have caused us to have some welding done but it should be okay now once we have brought it back to life.

 

Thursday 5th October :

We were supposed to leave today but decided to stay. Chris has come down with my cold ((So kind of you for sharing!)) Well, you cannot really avoid each other on a boat! But it’s also because of doing all these jobs the boat is a bit of a tip so I set about making it ship shape ((I think you’ll find it’s a narrowboat not a ship)) we also fill with water ahead of leaving tomorrow and put all the tools away again.

In the afternoon I decide to finally make banana bread. I’ve only been promising Chris for nearly 25 years. I’m pleased to say it was amazing but I don’t think I will be making it very often as it must contain a billion calories per slice and also it’s so tasty I want to eat the whole thing! Maybe if I do make it again I will make less. Whilst its cooling we have a little wander up the canal but don’t go far as his cold is kicking in and his ankle hurting. ((so nothing at all to do with the fact you wanted to get back as fast as possible to eat it?)) nope, absolutely nothing at all to do with it.

Friday 7th October : Cruising day! We finally leave Kings Bromley and I must say Chris executes the perfect meaneavours out the marina even when the wind picks up and right at that moment we have boats converging from each direction of the canal as we leave the marina but we make it out and off we go. It’s a five mile cruise with no locks so we can just relax and enjoy the scenery. It’s a very windy stretch and we go over 3 aqueducts but due to the nature of our position in the canal we cannot really see them. There is some lovely countryside and old warehouses and factories and by lunchtime we arrive at the visitor mooring at Rugeley.

This is another marker for us in our journey. We stopped here briefly last year on our summer cruise and always said we would stop overnight on our next journey. It’s like time has stood still in Rugeley but in a nostalgic way and we love it, although Chris read the market might be closing which is such a shame. We plan to go in tomorrow and have a good old nosey around. I need some jigsaws as well as I have run out! ((Someone call the emergency jigsaw line!)) not that I’ve had time to do any ((OH my heart bleeds for you. It really does. What a hard life you have.)) I’ve been doing a lot of promotion for my  thriller book Power of Nature and on Thursday I finally past 50 reviews on Amazon which has always been a milestone for me and it was great to finally achieve it. Hopefully this means it will encourage more people to read it! I also have an online zoom interview about my book on Sunday, which by the Power of Grayskull ((only people as old as you will get that Peachy!)) I will have had my interview by the time this blog goes out. ((also He-Man never went back to the past I don’t think!)) I just hope my wi-fi works! One of the reasons we are staying here for a few days!

Right, it’s 9.30pm and I’m going to switch my laptop off and listen to my audio books. The nights are drawing in as we say here. Sunrise is now around 7.15am and increasing by a minute or 2 a day and sunset at 18.25 and decreasing by a few minutes a day… winter is coming people! Although when we cruised this morning it was warm and lovely to see the autumn colours starting to show.

Miles/Distance:  5.5 (Kings Bromley to Rugeley) Locks: 0

Saturday 7th October : Chris has succumbed to my cold and stays in bed for most of the day – a week to the day since I had to do exactly the same but I have my online author interview tomorrow and I need to read my book Power of Nature so that’s me for the day. The questions they are going to ask me are pretty generic as you never want to give away the plot lines as you want to encourage people to read the book but as I kept getting all these fabulous reviews and literally cannot remember most of the plot I decided it made sense to be prepared. It’s a nice evening so once i’ve finished reading my book I sit on the stern writing my notes for the interview and enjoy it as the weather is due to change soon and it will be a bit chilly on the stern.

Sunday 8th October : Chris is sick of being in bed so we have a little walk into Rugeley as we had a planned to go yesterday and we are moving on tomorrow so it’s the last day to do it. Like many places there are too many empty shops but we mange to get everything we need and sit outside Costa and enjoy a coffee watching the world go by before heading back to the boat so I can do my author interview. I’d felt nervous all morning, I’ve done them before but it still makes me nervous and as always, there is the problem we might have with the internet. So far it has been pretty good here.

All goes well and people even asked a few questions which is always nice as it means they have engaged and are interested ((funny that, I never ask you any questions)) to celebrate we have another wander into Rugeley and Chris treats me to a couple of drinks which go right to my head! Late in the evening we are treated to some bats right outside the windows which are amazing to watch. We really are so lucky to be so close to wildlife.

That’s it for this week. At the end of next week we will have had to decide which way to go! We change our minds by the minute!
until next week… x
P.S. sorry if there are any formatting errors. It doesn’t seem to like it when i transfer from word into here to edit and it will take a brainer person than me to figure it out ((I’m saying nothing!))

Day 70–77 / Mon 25th sep – Sun 1st Oct

Monday 25th September
Today we move the boat as we have been in this location since Thursday and we are ready for a bit of cruise. We need to fill with water, empty the toilet, empty our rubbish and charge the batteries as we have been moored in shade, so need to top them up. It turns out to be ‘one of those’ cruises. When we arrive at the facilities there is another boater there but we manage to moor in front of them and pull the boat back when they are finished, then we set off once we are done. We have ordered some items for the boat to be collected from the postoffice so don’t want to cruise too far. Just past the bridge near the facilities in Willington we do an appalling attempt at a mooring so carry on, this happens twice more. ((I wasn’t laughing i promise! Shame there wasn’t anyone there to watch it!)) Not sure if we are out of practice or it’s the Plot playing up but after going maybe a mile from Willington we find the perfect mooring with Armco next to a bridge. On the opposite side is a watering hole and we are joined by a couple of horses.
Time to settle the boat down and get some more boat jobs done.

Miles/Distance: 1 mile

Tuesday 26 September
We decide to fire up the engine as the batteries still aren’t fully charged and the promised sunshine hasn’t arrived as it’s been replaced with rain. I’m not feeling very well so in bed writing this and doing some editing on my vlog. ((Hope you feel better)) Oh, thanks Brackets – have you forgiven me for going to weekly blogs yet… ((                                                          ))  I will take that as a no. There is a financial reason as well for the weekly posts. If I add a picture to the blog that has be stored in my web provider and I only have so much storage space unless I upgrade my subscription and then it costs me more money ((Are you saying I’m not worth it!)) well, it’s not that but if I delete the pictures for more space then it removes them from my website. Whereas one weekly blog is 1 picture. Anyway we both snuck in an extra post last week so fairs, fair.

Tomorrow we are going to move on as we are getting itchy feet!

Wednesday 27th September

It’s cruising day today as we are both getting ready to move onto to new waters now, although that won’t happen until we get past Great Haywood junction which is the furthest we have cruised on The Plot. We leave the lovely mooring which was relatively quiet other than the road noise in the distance and off we go.

I decide to try doing the washing in our twin tub machine whilst cruising, as the engine warms the water up so in don’t have to use gas to warm the water on the stove and the engine also charges the batteries so we are not draining the batteries. I take the machine into the shower room and find it works really well as I can use the shower head to fill up the machine and the sink to drain the water. The only downside is I miss some of the cruising and have to content myself to peering out the window. There are also no locks to do on this stretch so that makes it easier.

We cruise for a few hours before arriving at Horninglow services where we perfecting our rope mooring skills. Sometimes it’s easier not to use the engine/tiller to moor and to pull the boat in using the ropes. We perfected this last year at this very spot after a disastrous attempt at the first mooring.

There is rain and high winds forecast so we moor up just past the services. It’s funny how you can get a completely different feeling on the boat depending on it’s location. I don’t really like it here and I’m not sure why. There is a few dodgy looking folk about but I don’t know, it just doesn’t feel right but I cannot be bothered to do anymore cruising as not feeling that well so we settle in for the night.

Miles/Distance: 3 miles

Thursday 28th September

Neither of us were really feeling this mooring so we are up early to crank it. It’s such a lovely cruise as we reach the come to the outskirts of Burton upon Trent and into The National Forest. We very quickly arrive at Dallow Lane Lock. I love these single locks, this is where many boaters feel like their holiday starts when they are out as they are what some people would say are the ‘canals proper!’ as gone are the big double locks. The mechanisms are so much easier to use. It definitely gives off a different vibe.

Shobnall Fields area is next to cruise past and the mooring along this whole stretch of lovely armco. I wish we had moved a bit further yesterday but never mind. The marina here looks wonderful as well and depending on what happens over winter I can see this stretch of the Trent and Mersey would be great to moor along as there are plenty of facilities, turning points, marinas and armco. We get through Branston Lock and then moor up for lunch before cruising to Tatenhill Lock. Today’s cruise is about 5.5hrs long and it’s been wonderful to get a full day in and we’ve realised we need to move more and explore new areas. Next lock is Barton Turns, there is an amazing marina here with a cinema which I did enquire about but never had a reply, so we carry on through to Wychnor lock. I have filmed most of these locks for YouTube so you can have a look at that if you get the chance as they really are what the canal life is all about.

The stretch from this lock is sublime to Alrewas. Crystal clear water and churches on the hillsides. Proper countryside vibes. It’s onto the last lock of the day at Alrewas and then we cruise past the water point and under the bridge to moor up for hopefully a couple of days. What a wonderful day of cruising.
Miles/Distance: 7 miles (Wow! Lol) Locks: 6
Facilities… Toilets: yes – Horninglow/Elsan: yes/Bins:  yes/Showers: no
Waterpoint: yes – not the fastest on the network so far but not the slowest!
General: Bit of a messy area as people ‘hang about’ and it seems it’s a little too difficult to put there rubbish in the bin! But the facilities are okay.

Friday 29th September

I end up sleeping on the dinette which converts into a double bed as I’m full of the seasonal cold – I thought since I’m not working in education anymore I would avoid it but sadly no! I don’t actually feel too bad in the daytime it’s at night, so decide to sleep here so we can both try and get a good night’s sleep. It’s great having a boat big enough to have the option to do this.

Coffee and breakfast consumed and feeling a bit better I set about clearing up the devastation in the kitchen from cooking the amazing veggie pie last night and Chris tilts the solar panels so we can charge the main batteries and the power bank. It’s fascinating how much more important the sun is and how it effects your life more when living off grid. Jobs done we head out to coffee shop and co-op whilst leaving everything to charge. Chris keeps mentioning he needs to look at the travelpack which came with the boat, sadly we had no instructions for anything when we bought the boat which doesn’t help.

Once back I set my writing office up in the stern as it’s such a beautiful day. The birds are chirping, the butterflies are out in force, blue skies and sunshine and it’s a wonderful late September day and I’m making the most of it to sit outside/inside!

We are hoping to stay here for a few days if we have enough solar to keep the batteries charged up. It’s such a lovely area and it feels like summer has returned as we have a lovely walk to the church on the hill after lunch. Beautiful blue skies, butterflies, dragonflies flying around. Swans sunbathing on the bank of the canal simply wonderful. After a wonderful day my cold started to really take hold!

Saturday 30th September

Nothing at all to report today. I was in bed most of the day ill!

Sunday 1st October
((Pinch, punch first day of the month and no return Peachy!)) Darn it!

We’ve been having a few problems with lack of solar and had to conserve the battiers by not watching tv or using anything when our power pack ran out. It’s something we will have to get used to as winter and darker nights although the travel pack on the boat should help with this we just cannot figure out how to make it work! We decide to cruise and book in at Kings Bromley Marina as we have booked a food delivery as it’s too expensive to keep using local shops and we also have boat jobs to do. I was going to go to lidl with a friend yesterday but was in bed all day!

We get up early and despite feeling a bit weak, we are soon at the first lock and then it’s onto the Fradley flight. We are quite lucky as a few of the locks has a boat on the way out or nearly empty so makes life a lot easier but these are generally easier locks, although some can still be a little bit fierce. There are a few volunteers on the Fradley flight which is wonderful and it’s very kind of them to help. We end up loitering near the junction to the Coventry as a fuel boat is coming down the Fradley flight and delivering to some of the boats moored up ahead. This time waiting turns out to be perfect as Chris works out how to use the travel pack, this will be a big help in terms of the electrics on the  boat. I won’t attempt to explain ((The travel pack basically runs like a generator which runs off a belt when the engine is running so this bypasses the batteries on the boat which means the batteries are not working as hard and should give them a longer lifespan))

We moor up in Kings Bromley about 1pm and 5 mins later the promised rain arrives – how lucky was that!

Miles/Distance: 4 Locks: 8

What did everyone think? Was this blog post too long? Shall I go back to daily or is weekly okay? Thoughts appreciated. Also, does the map help in figuring out where we are since vlogs and blogs are approx a week behind where we are in real life! x ((I vote back to daily since you’ve not actually done any writing so what’s the point!))

Until next week… x
((Oh don’t forget to check out the vlog on YouTube))

How cool are libraries?

((Hey, you’re supposed to be writing not blogging! Not that you’ve done any today!)) I know but we’ve had boat jobs to do and I have been networking. I’m totally blaming my publisher as they haven’t sent my novel back and i don’t want to start on another project! ((Always an excuse!)) but anyway it’s just a quick blog to say how exciting it was when I logged onto my Public Lending Rights account to find out my fantasy novel Escape has been borrowed over 18 times! How exciting is that? Library are such a gift to us all. Due to the fact I live on a boat now I don’t have a local library so I don’t tend to use them as much. Although I’ve been told that you can loan audiobooks and ebooks so i’m going to find out if i can do that. Anyway, that’s it just a quick one as promised!

((If you cannot borrow Peachy’s fantasy series from the library then you can buy it on Amazon))

Brackets blog takeover!

((i’m not happy about this! I’m very disappointed in my number one supporters! You have not heard the last of this! How can you let Peachy off so easily, she’s not even writing!! Well, obviously she’s writing her usual pointless lists which she loses and then writes another one! I think you’ve let her off too easily. I mean, i know she has a promotional event for Power of Nature next week but still!))

((I’m the one who is left here promoting her books and what do i get for it? She is so close to getting 50 reviews she probably doesn’t think she needs me anymore!))

Until tomorrow… maybe! X

Here’s the link for Power of Nature if you want to read it since Peachy is getting so many fancy reviews https://amzn.eu/d/fb5EiLX

Day 69 – Sun 24th Sept – blog news… Brackets might be upset!

((WHAT’S GOING ON???)) Today we mainly faffed with the boat as we get the it ready for winter. The main difference being we will need more space for logs and coal for the fire so we moved things around in the bow area to fit in Chris’s bike so that over winter it’s easier to get the stuff out of the bow rather than off the roof and it will be drier to use! Luckily we have the large covered stern area for drying and cleaning things so hoping that really keeps the boat dry and clean. The tow paths are already muddy with the recent downpours and that’s only going to get worse as we head into winter.

We are hoping for a nice October ((Oh you have done it now Peachy – it will be one storm after another!)) as we’ve had a few canal holidays before we bought our boat and used to go at the end of October as I worked in education and we’ve had some lovely weeks both on the canals and when we hired one on the Norfolk Broads so fingers crossed.

I’ve just realised now that we are on day 69 ((I’m saying nothing!)) so 69 ((stop it)) days away from Newark and not far from Mercia Marina where we bought the boat and when we originally bought it and returned to Newark it took 3 days! Just let that sink in haha. Although we have completed the Erewash canal and had the boat blacked but still. I’m not sure we even thought we would cruise this slowly!

I’ve decided to change to a weekly blog from next week ((Wait, What??!?!?!)) I know, but I’m nearly at the point where I need to crack on with my next novel so I need to prioritise. ((Wait, what?!)) yes, you’re obviously a priority but it makes more sense to have the blog and vlog weekly so I can focus on writing. I’ve said a few times I’m proper itching to get back into a story. Unless I get lots of complaints for moving to a weekly blog and then I might revisit it ((Everyone complain. Right now! Someone start one of those change.org things or whatever they are called??! My creativity and voice cannot be silenced)) I think you need to calm down Brackets!

There are still plenty of ways you can keep up on what’s going on – mainly via Facebook and Instagram. I’m trying out Threads which is Insta version of the old Twitter but I’m not sure yet as too many platforms are just too much to keep up with.

Anyway, that’s it for a week. I will aim to publish the weekly blog on a Sunday when I upload my vlog as well which should be ready to view later today.

Until next week! Xx

(P.S. if we have long cruising days and i have lots to tell you I might sneak in the odd daily one so the weekly blog doesn’t require 3 coffees and half the morning to read!)

Day 68 – Sat 23rd Sept – seeing friends…

We treat ourselves to a rare chill out in bed. I make some porridge which we eat in bed! Shocking, I know and watch some motorbike racing but it’s soon time to get up and sort the ‘boat services’. Chris cycles the cassette to the facilities whilst I nip to the post office and co-op for a few bits and bobs. My friend is picking me up later for a Lidl visit – you never know what you will need until you go up the middle aisle lol. It’s lovely being so close to everyone and we might possibly decide to winter along this canal so we can see our friends more. ((I’m saying nothing about all these ‘make believe’ friends.))

Nothing else to report really today other than having a nice goss with my friend. We ended up having a visit to Poundland which is dangerous in the sense of buying things! I do try and only buy things we need though as we have too much stuff as it as and need make room for winter stuff like coal and logs as we get to the colder days. It was a bit of a challenge to carry all the bags back to the boat but we managed just about! We haven’t needed to have a canalside food delivery yet but I can see it will be on the cards come winter, especially if we move further away from friends who are kind enough to us to the shops.

We are both getting ready to cruise again. Other than Erewash we haven’t ventured on any new water since we set off in July and as winter is coming it will be nice to enjoy some proper cruising days and explore some new areas. Also, we have been cruising 68 days and it would only take us probably 3 days of cruising to get back to Newark! ((That’s just ridiculous. I’m not sure you can even call yourselves continuous cruisers!)) I know! Don’t worry there are some fab, long cruising days coming up!

Until tomorrow… x