Foxglove Narrowboat

Wow!

That is all I can say at the moment.

The view from our mooring spot tonight is fantastic. We are at Tixall Wide and we had the quietest, relaxing trip down here. We only passed 2 boats travelling in the opposite direction. Weather stayed dry and it wasn’t even cold or windy.

The floods have still not yet disappeared and it is the strangest feeling as we are moored here tonight because it feels like only the tow path is holding us in, literally. Tixall wide one side and floods the other and just the tow path running in the middle. Looks a bit like the sea with a path of grass in the middle.

We are hoping there will be fireworks out tonight at Shugborough Hall which we should be able to see perfectly from where we are moored.

Only 1 day left before we both have to return to work. It has gone far too quick.

Looking forward to 2013 as many exciting things will be happening with work, home and Foxglove. Only 4 months to go until Foxglove is repainted. Not sure whether to keep her the same colour or go for a complete new colour scheme. Any suggestion would be most welcome. Please use the comment tab on this post if you do have any suggestions.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2013 bring exciting adventures on Foxglove.

No it isn’t a blog about spiders it is about the one thing I have feared the most since owning this boat……the locks!

Today was supposed to be sunny. First time on my phone that the weather was completely wrong as it has rained for most of the day. Anyway, we decided last night we would go out on Foxglove today and stay out on her for a couple of nights on the canal. This would be the first time that Roy and myself would be on Foxglove on our own and we would also have to face our first lock. I have heard so many horror stories about 70ft boats getting caught on the cill in the locks that I have really dreaded this moment. I injured my back a few years ago so I find it too hard to open the locks so Roy has always done the locks whilst I have driven through them. On our old boat “Marpessa 2” I always managed to go in the locks perfectly but I was really worried about the extra 10 ft, 6 ft of which you can’t even see on Foxglove and the whole controls being different. I knew today would be a challenge, one of which I could not avoid.

Made sure we filled up with water, and emptied the loo before we went ( that’s Roy’s job by the way) and most importantly that the stove in the back cabin was lit as I really wanted to cook some jacket potatoes in there whilst we were traveling. Off we set, and Wish made herself straight at home by jumping on the seating area covered in my really nice throw. She looked so comfy and cute that I didn’t move her.

Roy did most of the trip whilst I read my book, made drinks and prepared dinner. The jacket potatoes started to smell fantastic on the way. This was a whole new experience for us both because we were properly using the back cabin for the very first time.

In no time at all we reached our first lock on Foxglove. I was worried sick. All went very well though, although I was very nervous as I went down in the lock because of the cill but I was clear enough from it.

The whole experience was totally different than on our last boat because you are just far more aware of the size of the boat. Roy caught all the action on camera and off we headed for our second lock.

One thing that is really great on Foxglove is because there is a stove in the back cabin it’s so warm when you are traveling. You can really feel the heat coming from the stove, not to mention the jacket potatoes that smelt really good!

Went through the second lock without any problems although I must admit I am going to dread doing this when the boat will have it’s new paint job done next May. I think I need to start looking for bubble wrapping during these next few months!

We decided to moor at a place called Shirleywich. We made it! No bumps or scratches, hope I will say the same in a few months time. We had our jacket potatoes and it was lovely sitting in the back cabin nice and snug eating away. It didn’t feel real, just one of those surreal moments. Whatever it was it was great. We have decided to stop here for the night and move on a little further tomorrow. So peaceful out on the canal. The fire is going and it is lovely and cosy. I still can’t quite believe we are doing this. It is great. Supposed to be going back to work on Wednesday but we are heading in totally the opposite direction at the moment. Ooops!! 😉

Roy had to pop back home today to take a few things back that we no longer need on the boat. We are trying not to clutter the boat with unnecessary items. I don’t know how we will go on when we leave the house because we have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. Before we had a boat we used to spend most weekends around shops just to find things to do and of course you end up wasting so much money buying things that you don’t really need. Since first owning a boat which is just over 3 years now,we hardly go out shopping anymore and we have had more quality time together and made so many new friends.

Got to make the most of the last few days as we both have to go back to work on Wednesday 😦 We will be putting our plan into action though come the new year and start to prepare for living on Foxglove full time. We are still not sure whether to sell or rent the house, lots of decisions to be made but one thing we do know is that we love living on Foxglove.

Today has to have been the best day by far.
Why? You may ask….well we finally got to take Foxglove out onto the canal!

Our friend Angus came over this morning as he was coming over to help Roy service the engine…change oil filter, fuel filters and change the oil etc.

It was so funny first thing because I walked into the engine room watching them both with cups of tea in their hand assessing the situation ( they called it hard work, I think they were both just admiring the engine). Anyway, the camera had to come out. Too many photo opportunities to miss!

Whilst they were working hard (playing) in the engine room, I thought I would make us all a lobby for dinner. Anyway to cut a long story short, otherwise I will be here all night writing, we all decided to take Foxglove out for the first time…….this meant I got a chance to steer it….Finally!!!

All 3 of us took it in turn to cruise her down the canal. It was fantastic and I got to turn it around at the turning point. It went fantastically well ( on the second attempt, I will be entirely honest and I managed to get it completely stuck on first attempt.) It was the first time ever I had driven/ cruised a boat with one of these speed wheels and separate pulley thing for forward and reverse. Got in a bit of a mess at first but then I reversed it back a bit and had another attempt, very slow but managed it all o.k. Glad I did it down the canal and not in the marina!

Opened the champagne on the way back and Roy got the fire lit in the boatman’s cabin. Angus drove the boat back most of the way but Roy took it back into its mooring spot, perfectly, may I add. How annoying!! Angus and I scored Roy  two points each if you get my drift.

Anyway, the best photo of the day had to be this one.

When we arrived back at the marina the boatman’s cabin was so warm we all sat and ate our lobby in there. I think the pinkish coloured dishes and lace made a very manly picture!!

Lots of laughs today. It has been fantastic and thanks again Angus for all your help you really have been a fantastic friend.

I travelled back in time today by 100 years, well actually about 70 ft. I kept having sneaky looks at the boatman’s cabin to see what was going on and then finally this afternoon I walked in and thought WOW! It is so cute and pretty and it’s like playing dolls houses when you were little. Roy has got it looking just like the narrowboats used to be, well he did once he removed the Dyson Hoover. It really looks quite magical.

There are little hidey hole cupboards everywhere. One of them looks like one of those confession booths you get in churches, well it does if you are only 5 inches tall. Everything is just so cute. Roy has even put his brass knobs up??!! Always count on me to lower the tone 😉

The lace looks fantastic. For the first time since we have had Foxglove the boatman’s cabin is starting to feel really homely, especially with the oil lamp (actually 12 volt) that he has put up. The stove was all lit and it is was really warm and cosy in there. Must get some jacket potatoes cooked in there tomorrow when we are on our travels, a good book and a glass of wine……perfect!

The weather started off lovely this morning so whilst Roy was doing a few jobs ( aerial related things) I decided to take Wish for a walk. The sun was out and wasn’t cold either. Perfect!…… Until 30 minutes into the walk and it threw it down with rain. Got to get used to this I thought if we are to start living on the boat, so I embraced the weather and enjoyed my walk with Wishy. I think as long as you are prepared for the weather it doesn’t really matter, but I must find Wish’s coat because she came back soaking. I am not that prepared yet!

Started my lace making kit today. Not even got to the cotton part yet as I have been making all the bobbins first. When you see how these things are made it really makes you appreciate how much work goes into making them. I think it will be a while before any of the lace I make will make it’s way to the boatman’s cabin.

Roy has started work on the boatman’s cabin today amongst other things. I am not allowed to see it until he has finished. The lace or the light is apparently going up tonight. I might have a sneaky look when he has finished 😉

He has painted the stove in there today. Hoping we will still wake up in the morning because the smell from the paint is very pongy!

He has got the TV working which is great but what is even better is that we can get the Internet on there also via some technical gadgetry thing he has done involving a play station and wi-fi thing he has done. It’s great though because we can do the blog on there rather than on the phone. The photos look great on there. Quite amazing what can be done even when you are on a narrowboat. The gadget man is back. I bet it won’t extend though into the boatman’s cabin. I guess we will see!

We finally made it. First Christmas on Foxglove and it has been truly magical. I missed a great photo opportunity first thing this morning when Roy let Wish out for her morning wee! Roy came back onto the boat saying he needed to wash his hands…..not only his hands but all his clothes as he slipped and fell on his bum and he was covered in mud. First laugh of the day. Anyway I sorted out breakfast, waffles, Roy’s favourite, while he got changed.

Santa had been last night, not sure which chimney he used as there are plenty to choose from on Foxglove! Going to be taking lots more pictures now as Roy has bought me a camera. First proper camera I have ever owned. Going to be very busy, haven’t got time to work anymore as Roy bought a selection of hobbies to keep me busy whilst on Foxglove, lace making, basket weaving and flower pressing. Can’t wait to get started.

Managed to cook a Christmas dinner on Foxglove. You have to be very organised in the kitchen because of space or lack of should I say in the kitchen, but everything went well. Heard on the radio that the best way to cook sprouts was to add salt, sugar and butter to the boiling water. It also makes your veg glossy looking. They tasted really nice, honestly they did because Roy even ate them. He never eats sprouts but he did today! Unbelievable.

Went out for a long walk with Wish whist dinner was cooking. So many interesting smells coming from the narrowboats moored up. Everyone was in good spirits who we bumped into. I really like living on Foxglove and it is great because we are not working so we can come and go as we please. No rush to go anywhere or do anything. Might have to bring our five year plan forward by five years. Retire at 40? Sounds good to me.

Stayed in and watched a film this afternoon and then reminisced about the last few months as we looked so hard to find the perfect boat and we have definitely found it. Foxglove is perfect!

Roy has managed to put up some curtains in the kitchen today and they look fantastic. I think the kitchen finally looks homely. Good job Roy!

Well it has rained lots today but it has been so cosy on the boat. Delivered a few Christmas cards to fellow moorers. I am surprised how many are staying on their boats over Christmas. Everyone seemed in good spirits though. I cannot believe it is Christmas tomorrow. Still exciting even when you are 40!

Tried a few things out on the boat today. Used the shower and Roy frightened the life out of me as he went outside and knocked on the hatch above the shower, I looked up to see his face there. Frightened the life out of me. He probably got more of a shock though than me! Anyway the shower is really spacious as it is over a corner bath and it even has an area you can sit on and wash your feet without falling over. Loads of space. It was great.

Next thing we decided to try was the washing machine. I have just finished washing a load of towels and put it on the drier cycle. Washing has never been so exciting! Not quite sure how the drier cycle works. It is either drying it now or re- washing the whole thing again. It seems to be taking a very long time. I might resort to hanging it on the radiators later or perhaps looking for the instruction manual.

Roy is keeping very busy today. I can never get him to do jobs at home but he seems to love it on the boat. He is in the middle of putting up his Christmas present at the moment as he has had a TV for the boat. He is just trying to put it on a wall bracket. I am supervising, honestly. Up a bit Roy, down a bit, to the left, left a little bit more. We might even get to watch a film tonight. He is watching a blank screen at the moment seeing if it is level. He doesn’t know I am writing about him at the moment. He is very particular. I think he is getting more OCD than me. Oh yes that reminds , only took me 30 minutes to do a complete clean through this morning, hoovering, mopping, clean the bath, do the dishes, polish up etc. That would take me hours at home.

Anyway, tis the night before Christmas and may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!

Best wishes from Clare, Roy & Wish xxxxx

Yes it certainly is and it feels like it to. Roy spent almost 2 hours in Tesco’s this morning to do the weekly food shop and and a few extra goodies for Christmas. We arrived at the boat just after lunchtime with bags of food and belongings and Christmas decorations. Foxglove looks fantastic! Today has been great and we have even managed to take Wish out for a lovely walk also.

I took the most hilarious photo of Roy today. He was about to open the box of lace that he has just bought. I think he looks like a Pixie!

The lace looks amazing. Thank you Evelyn for sending it out so quickly. I think it will look stunning in the boatman’s cabin.

Started to relax already and there was a moment today everything just felt so nice that I said to Roy it was the happiest I had felt in a long time. It feels truly magical on the boat. I could get so used to this far quicker than I thought 🙂

Not sure about the beauty part but sleeping definitely. When I arrived home from work yesterday I was so tired and I think it was partly a huge relief to finish work. Been a very difficult few months not just the work but dealing with people’s attitudes. I am so relieved to have a break. Anyway when I got home I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until around 9 am this morning. I must have been so tired! I even forgot to write on this blog last night.

Today has been hectic and we have been rushing around getting lots and lots of jobs done. We even managed to find some curtains for the boat which I am sure Roy will enjoy putting up tomorrow. I am just looking forward to having a rest and spending quality time together with Roy and taking Wish for nice long walks.