Day Five – Gunthorpe – Sunday 23rd July
Today it’s started a bit better weather wise with some blue skies so we decided it was time for wash day but before that we went for a visit to the Elsan as you do.
We tested our little twin tub when we were in the marina but this is our first proper wash. It honestly is exciting, it’s like going back to simpler times. I often think with the invention of all these things which supposedly make our lives better, does it really give us more time? Not in my experience. Imagine all those days you would have spent per week washing even before the simple twin tub machines, do most of us really spend that time doing anything more productive when we can just shove our washing in machine and do something else? This new adventure is certainly making me thoughtful! ((Get off your soapbox Peachy!)) Sorry, this life does make you realise how complicated and stressful life has become.
Washing done we figure out how to hang the clothes to dry in the stern – careful not to have my pants dangling in the wind for the whole world to see. I mean who wants to go on a lovely, peaceful walk along the river, taking in the beautiful scenery and then glance over to see a massive pair of pants swinging in the breeze – no thank you! ((I am saying nothing Peachy. Nothing. But if the police come knocking on your hatch I didn’t report you and your pants))
After a bit of leisure time on the boat we decide to cycle into Lowdham to get a few supplies. It’s my first time on an electric bike and I really enjoyed it. Despite the assistance I knew I’d cycled as my legs were a bit shaky when we finally made it back and we only did about 5 miles. Other than walking, which we have to be careful of as Chris’s ankle has seen better days and the old fracture of my hip plays up if I do too much ((You two are falling apart!)) this will be our main mode of transport for the shops, unless we order a delivery but we did stock up the boat before we left so only need to top up with things like milk etc. ((by stocking up you mean you filled the boat with coffee, beer and Baileys right?))
As we were making our way out to go to the shops another boater said something along the lines of ‘I admire people who are brave enough to completely ignore the weather report and just get on with it’. My reply was, ‘if you wait for the weather, you will never get anything done!’
Now let’s dispel any picture you’re building up of me. I am the kind of person who would spend their whole lives indoors either reading, writing, doing a jigsaw, faffing, watching tv and drinking coffee. I am not a natural ‘outdoor person’ more I must be sort of forced into the situation of being outside and when I do, I absolutely love it. That’s what I like about this life you have to be outside quite a lot, be that cruising, faffing with ropes, going to the shops on foot or by bike and not in the comfort of a heated seat in the car but I genuinely love it when I’m out in nature and it’s why this life works for me.
Later on, I’m faffing at the dinette ((do you ever leave that dinette??)) when the promised rain arrives with a vengeance. Soon we are rushing for bowls and pans to collect the water which is pouring out near the duck hatch. We do need to add some silicone but it was more that the rain was so heavy and directional the channels couldn’t get the water off the roof quick enough and so inside it came! We left the bowls there overnight just in case. Only day 5 and already the little challenges have been mounting up but that’s life.
Not much else to report from today. Tomorrow, we plan to move on to Stoke Baldolph lock if there is room, if not we will crack on to Holme Lock.
P.S. Fingers crossed the first vlog should be live on YouTube today if you fancy a watch. I’m going to try to put them on a Sunday but not promising as I don’t want to feel like I have to get it done. 
click here if you want to watch it and please do subscribe (it’s free) and also a thumbs up/like would be appreciated.
Also tomorrow exciting news is coming about my book Power of Nature... it’s currently available on ebook & paperbook.
Spent: £5.20
Blacking: £100.00 deposit (we have booked the boat in to be blacked at the end of august and so had to pay the deposit today)
