Foxglove Narrowboat

I wonder what the weather will be like for this weekend…….cold no doubt, but I also think the canals will be frozen. Hoping to meet up with Nick & Emma who bought our last boat from us Marpessa2 at the weekend only if they make it down in time. Will be good to catch up with them.

Planning on plenty of walks though for this weekend especially if the tow paths are frozen, no dirty dog feet to bring back on the boat. I have also bought myself a new pair of wellies called BOGS, they look and feel great so lets hope they are comfy for some long walks. I have ordered yet another door mat for the boat……..I have just ruined my other one and almost the washing machine in process. Roy has lost count how many mats I have bought (good cause it is a lot!)

Wish misses us while we are at work. She is made such a fuss of though when we get back home…….she kicked Roy out of bed last night, well what I mean is I let her get on the bed before Roy got in and she would not move. So funny though because she actually put her head on his pillow and then started to roll about wanting to play and we just let her. She is really funny and I love her to bits………I actually said to Roy don’t move her so he said should I go sleep on her bed then? I won’t tell you my answer but I bet you can guess. 😉

Yet another title to a song but after today it was more than appropriate. First of all though I will start at the beginning….

Frosty start to the day. The canal had completely iced over but everywhere looked beautiful. Took a few photos from inside the boat and one bonus was the tow paths had frozen over, excellent, far better for walking on especially with a dog.

Had a look at the engine with Roy that he had lovingly
polished yesterday. It is starting to look lovely.

Received a text from friends Angus & Janet who were going to meet us along the canal so off we set to meet them. This is where the fun began!

Angus & Janet had brought Frank with them, their collie dog. Wish met him for the first time properly last weekend…..Wish just showed Frank all her teeth, and no she was not smiling. Most people who know Wish will also know she doesn’t really get along with other dogs……well today she proved us wrong. After an initial growl before long both dogs were running along the canal together. It was lovely to see them both playing together.

We all walked back to the boat for a much needed cup of tea and we decided we would all take the boat back to Aston Marina. I was really worried how Wish & Frank would be on the boat together…….started off with a little disaster as Frank decided to show Wish his acrobatics by jumping straight off the boat, missing the tow path and falling into the canal. We were all in a panic. Luckily 2 passers by pulled Frank out of the canal whilst Roy moored back up. With Frank safely back on board we started to make our way back. The dogs were so well behaved I could not believe my eyes. The photos say it all.

I made us all Jacket potatoes with chilli con carne, grated cheese and salad which we all ate when we arrived back at the marina. We were all really pleased the dogs had got on so well together and we sat and chatted for ages laughing at the dogs as Wish lay by me and Frank lay by Angus. Wish kept an eye on Frank but both dogs stayed with their owners. We think both dogs are playing hard to get!

Time came to say goodbye to Angus, Janet & Frank. It had been a really lovely afternoon.

We left the marina tonight to find snow everywhere. The marina looked so pretty. Left Roy’s, mine & Wish’s footprints behind on the jettie. Looks like we were the only ones that had been out since it started snowing. I drew Roy a big heart in the snow. He dared me make a snow angel but I resisted…….he knows I will dare do anything!

Back home now and looking back at the pictures and writing this post is a good reminder of what a great weekend we have had.

Decided to take Wish for a long walk this morning as it was dry outside and even though it was cold we were well prepared as we now have the wooly hats, much to Roy’s amusement. We moored near to another 2 boats last night. Little did I know till I walked passed it that it was another boat called Foxglove. We actually went past this boat last weekend near to Great Haywood.

Very cold this morning and very windy but we were all wrapped up warm and it was great. Lots of photos taken, unfortunately some of them didn’t turn out, not quite sure what I did wrong but Roy said they were over exposed. I think I caught the flash button when taking some of the photos. It was a shame because there were some stunning views this morning.

There was a little stream on the way back that I decided would be a good place for Wish to clean some of the mud off her before heading back to the boat. She needed a bit of encouragement so as I was prepared I thought I would help her. I don’t know who was more funny……me or her? It was good fun watching her though.

Saw the first signs of Spring today as Daffodils were already coming through. Where is the snow they predicted? Lots of spring bulbs everywhere popping up.

We could see our boat in the distance on the way back. I really do like the boat. I don’t think we will be changing the colour scheme. When I look at her I do think what a lovely looking boat. Can’t wait to polish it when the new paint job has been doing. I used to love polishing our other boat.

Talking about our other boat, when we got back to Foxglove after our walk I received a text from Emma & Nick who bought our last boat from us, Marpessa 2. I couldn’t believe the picture they sent us. It was of our first boat “Clare-Louise”. Still looks just as nice in the photo as it did when we sold her. I thought they were going to change the name, but after 2 years they have still kept it. It was great to see it again, even if only in a photo.

Emma & Nick are heading there way back to Aston Marina for a couple of days. It will be great to catch up with them again although we still follow their blog daily, so we already kind of know what they have been doing. The last time we saw them Foxglove had just arrived back at the marina in its sorry state. I am sure Emma & Nick wondered what on earth had we done as Marpessa 2 was a lovely boat. It will be nice to see the changes they have done to their boat also.

Just cooked beef stroganoff for tea and I am already ready for bed. It has been a good day today. Read lots of my book which I never normally get chance to do whilst Roy was in the engine room. He has been polishing the engine up. It has come up lovely. I will take some photos tomorrow as it is too dark now and it would be better in the natural light. So much nicer out on the canals than in the marina. We even watched a film this afternoon, “Dark Shadows” starring Johnny Depp. It was good and it didn’t matter how loud we had the sound turned up as there is no one around.

Got the dishwasher running at the moment and Roy has got the generator going. First time the generator has been used properly. All good so far……touch wood!

Forgot to bring my violin with me……think Roy is pleased about that. I will make sure I put it on my list for next weekend! Also forgot to bring my ingredients to make those bread rolls I was planning on baking. Oh well…..there is always next weekend. Today has gone so fast but it has been a good day.

We have been looking for alternative moorings but can’t find anything suitable at the moment. We just don’t want to be stuck in a marina if we are planning to live on the boat full-time. We need to find somewhere that we still have parking for our cars if we are to continue with work and also not too far away from work and also somewhere suitable for Wish. I really like these places that you see at the side of canals where they have there own little plot of land…….that would be ideal if we are to continue with work. We will have to wait and see. We are still deciding what is going to be the best for us. Time will tell.

Had such a good laugh with my work colleagues today (Rachel & Iain) that I promised them another laugh later, so here it is…..

Went a bought myself  a wooly hat as the weather is getting cold. I asked Roy how I looked in it and he answered very tactfully……”warm”. Good answer!

Made it out of the marina in plenty of time and moored up before it went dark. The fire is roaring away…….almost more because Roy accidently ( dosily, if that is a real word) chucked the coal in the fire along with the gas firelighter……he got it out just in time before anything serious happened. It has melted though!

Wish is all snuggled up on her bed fast asleep next to me and Roy is just getting the pictures ready to put on tonight’s post. No more work for a few days and it is so good we have managed to get a longer weekend together.

I will soon be getting tea ready and then settling down to read my book. Roy has also bought the next issue of Waterways World which I love looking at, mainly because I am looking to see if I can find a good colour scheme for when Foxglove is repainted. At Te moment we are keeping the colours the same because I just can’t find anything else I like because I want it to look Traditional still. Only 3.5 months till the repaint begins……I am doing my countdown thing again!

Would like to say Happy Birthday to my good friend Davide who has gone back to live in Italy. I have worn those long socks you gave to Roy…..very sexy!! (Not) Hope you are having a great Birthday xxxxxxxxxxxx Davide actually gave a really nice comment the other week saying we should not  change the colour of Foxglove as it would change her soul. I think he is right 🙂

One of the things I have realised that I am worrying about is my musical instruments. There is a small harp that I have that I haven’t even played in the last 2 years or so, possibly more because I don’t have time, but my 2 instruments that I will so miss are my electric violin and clavinova piano. The violin I can probably take with me but the piano just won’t be able to.

Water Music!

I have played the organ since I was 10 years old and started teaching when I was 18. Over the years I had different instruments and then ended up with a digital piano (clavinova). Even though I don’t play much anymore I am so going to miss having it around because music has been a big part of both of our lives for 30 years now. Roy and I both play. The things that we have worked so hard for over the years are just going to be so painful to sell. I think this is why I started to panic and worry so much last night. Reality is starting to hit. It is a huge step to make to give up your home that you have loved for so long without having any doubts.

Arrived at work this morning with anxiety because of lack of sleep and worrying. I think it was something that would probably have happened at some point. Had a quick chat with my work colleagues about it and I felt better in no time. Work is good at the moment and keeping me very busy. I don’t teach music anymore, I even was a church organist for 3 years but now I am doing something totally different. I now work  at an air rifle factory called Daystate. Most of the time I love it. It is really interesting and quite fascinating.   http://www.daystate.com

Almost the weekend and I am really looking forward to it. Hoping to head off on Foxglove at some point. Let’s hope for dry weather and plenty of photo opportunities.

Even though we are not at the boat I can always find something to talk about. One question I would like to ask all you fellow boaters out there is if you are living on it full time what do you do with your evenings when it is dark and let’s say it is raining, what do you do to fill your time? The reason I ask this because you name it I have worried about it tonight about all the things that I could possibly worry about living on a boat.

Roy and I talk about it every night at the moment and still can’t make the decision what to do. I think because I am a worrier I am starting to worry about how I will cope with change. Even writing this blog tonight I am finding new things to worry about.

It is going to be a massive step for Roy & I to make this move and so I think it is perfectly natural to have doubts. Sometimes writing about it helps. Please feel free to leave me your thoughts and comments and hopefully it will help us to decide what to do next. Worry worry worry. Spend far too much time worrying.

Heard the weather is going to get a bit colder over the next few days. I really need to get a good wooly hat. I pinched Roy’s last weekend and it keeps popping off my head. Must try and remember to get one before the weekend. I wonder if we will still get any snow that they predicted weeks ago? The tow paths at the moment are so muddy at the moment a bit of snow would be great to make walking on the paths less messy. Just a shame though when it melts because everywhere becomes a mess again. Stunning photos to be taken though whatever the weather and I am hoping to catch a few good pics. I am loving my new camera. Hopefully I will manage to take some more photos this weekend.

No we did not have two 3 legged spiders or anything strange like that on the boat, but it was Angus and his collie dog Frank. He is so cute, Frank that is, sorry Angus if you are reading. Wish was not too impressed when she saw another dog running pass the side of the boat. All gums and teeth were showing, from Wish that is. Wish gets on with any human but with dogs, nope. She is starting to get quite protective. We will have had Wish for 2 years this May, although she will actually be 5 years old by then. We bought her from this woman that used her as a show dog then bred from her once and it turned out that Wish wasn’t very good with the puppies and then continued not to get along with her other dogs so we were very lucky to find her. She is the most adorable dog ever, Frank is the second 😉

Here is a link to see Wish when she was only 7.5 months old and she looks no different now:

http://www.borderpride.com/wish.htm

Back to work today. Already counting down the days until weekend. Hopefully the weather will stay nice for next weekend as we have friends coming over and hopefully we will get to take a trip out on Foxglove.

Planning on making some bread rolls for next weekend. That should be interesting! Would love to know of any good recipes for one stockpot cooking. Roy is bored of lobby but I like the fact it is good just to put everything in one pot. Got to be fairly easy though…..by this I mean not weird ingredients, your everyday ingredients would be good. Please use the comment tab below if anyone has such recipes or any good soup recipes. I am o.k with soups. You might have gathered I am not that good in the kitchen, cleaning yes but not cooking!

Bought myself yet another Dyson Hoover! It is a cylinder and it is the best type of Hoover for a boat ever. I am sure I would be good at advertising products like this on QVC. It comes with so many attachments it is excellent and it stores away neatly in a little cupboard…..even better. We are trying to ensure that everything has a place on the boat and that there is nothing unnecessary on here. We still have lots of empty cupboard space at the moment so I think we are doing o.k.

We arrived back on Foxglove on Friday night and it was a big relief to be back. I had only been back at work for 3 days and it seems already that Christmas was months ago. Had a much needed lie in on Saturday morning and we decided to stay at the marina for the weekend and get some jobs done and try something out that we have not used yet in fear of it leaking. It was the dishwasher. Foxglove already came with a dishwasher and it works fantastically. Saves keep washing up about 5 or 6 times a day after every cup of tea. Probably uses less water than washing up everything individually. Well pleased! Still can’t get the drier function on the washer drier to work but it doesn’t really matter as any washing drys incredibly quickly on the radiators and condensation hasn’t even been an issue as there are 3 Houdini hatches on the boat. Roger Fuller designed this boat perfectly. There isn’t a thing I would change about it at all and I so love the corner bath which I filled up last night with a hot bubble bath and relaxed in for over half an hour. Bliss 🙂

Went out with Roy & Wish first thing this morning and treated ourselves to a cappuccino at the marina. It is such an idyllic lifestyle getting up when you want, no rush to do anything or go anywhere, having friends over, beautiful scenery everyday. We will be putting our plan into action during the next few months as we really love the boat. Best thing we ever did!

Fantastic start to the New Year. Bright sunny day and what a view to wake up to.

This is what I love about living on the boat. Waking up somewhere different to find views like this.

Two swans came to the boat as soon as I opened the side hatch. They finished off my bread. Roy was glad because he really doesn’t like seeded brown bread. The swans did anyhow. I was searching in the cupboards for something else for them but I thought it best I stop before I started on the cereals. Not sure if honey shreddies and golden nuggets should really be fed to swans!

We needed to set off back to the marina as it is the dreaded ‘W’ word tomorrow. ( work)

Really don’t want to go back because we have had a great time especially since we left the marina. The canals were so quiet and everywhere is just so peaceful.

I got to start the engine today on my own. Cool! Quite into this engine business. Checked the oil, all OK. Roy got a drip of it on his hand and then continued to wipe it on his jeans. Typical man! Anyway, press of the cold start button, bit of throttle, turn the key once, then again then hold……..whrrrrrr, hmmmmm, whrrrrr, chugggg, chugggg, chugg, putt, putt, putt and we were ready. Starting my little mini in the morning is going to be a doddle compared to this.

The sun stayed out for the entire trip back, a bit cold but who cares when that stove is roaring away in the cabin.
On the way back saw a boat called Tigger, I didn’t have chance to get my camera out in time. Also missed another photo opportunity of another boat called Foxglove. Anyway the camera was out just in time to catch this narrowboat name. Funniest one I have seen! “Soddin Elle” was her name. Very unique!

My turn today, whether Roy liked it or not, to take Foxglove back into the marina and into the mooring spot. We had a slight heated discussion on the way who was taking her in, he lost , it was my turn, end of! Certainly showed him how to do it, I just took her in real slowly and straight into her mooring spot. I was a bit under pressure because there was a man watching me on the bridge as I did the whole thing. I think it was the Australian guy off Parisian Star.  Hi if it was you Mick? I have this image in my head that one day there will be a row of people with score cards in their hands just like dancing on ice, 10 points, and another 10 points. I think you get my drift. Anyway I did it perfectly much to my relief and I was very calm but in my head I was jumping up and down, clapping my hands with excitement like a seal!

It has been a fantastic Christmas and a great start to the new year.

Off home now 😦 really don’t want to go back. We will be back again at the weekend. Already looking forward to it. So don’t want to leave. We could stay another night…..Can’t really go to work in my pink wellies or can I??