Foxglove Narrowboat

Now this is for real and not a rehearsal anymore I have made myself really at home today. Not in a rush to get anything done or to fit everything into one weekend.

One thing I have done today is go food shopping……..now those who know me well enough will know that is a huge deal for me, those who don’t know me well perhaps will wonder what on earth I am talking about.  I actually enjoyed going food shopping and taking my time and planned a few meals. I am going to bake some cakes tomorrow…….then I will enjoy eating them!!

Wish was due for her bath today and she has come back looking like a cute little panda bear. She always comes back looking and smelling beautiful thanks to “Dirty Dogs” at Uttoxeter.

It has been another beautiful day at the marina. Taken a few trips to the rubbish bins……..now I actually like doing this……don’t laugh but the reason I like going is because  on the odd occasion I have taken a few things down there that I don’t want anymore and hoped that someone else might want them and so I always like to take another trip later on to see if my unwanted items have found a new home. So far everything has gone. The list to date are:

Cutlery tray,

Red lampshade,

12 piece dinner set,

Old cratch cover

Sky digital box ( taken that today) still waiting for that to go!!

I have really tried to get some of the storage space sorted out today. I still have lots of belongings to bring on the boat and also lots to sell. Not quite got round to all of that yet. Roy has sorted himself out an office which is great so anything that we don’t sell we will be able to store at his office.

My beloved piano has been sold to the lovely family who are having the house. This was one of the hardest things for me to let go of. Anyway, looking on the positive side there is room for my electric violin on the boat……..my neighbours are going love me!!!!

Cooked meatballs and pasta and sauce for tea and then I went out for a walk with Wish afterwards.  I hope I never take this life for granted because at the moment I keep pinching myself as I feel the happiest I have felt for a long, long time.

Already looking forward to tomorrow 🙂

Look who’s back………..not only Rob but he is having a helping hand from Tigger.

Looking forward to seeing the tiles tonight as Rob has been busy fitting the Victoria & Albert tiles. Looks fab from what I have seen so far.

Staffordshire Canopies have also been today and fitted our new canopy………can’t wait to see it as it will have blinds fitted on it so when it is raining I will be able to sit out the front when travelling and still be able to look out and we will have the privacy of pulling the blinds down if we need them. Side hatches and Houdini hatches will be fitted tomorrow. All exciting.

Bank Holiday weekend so we get 1 extra day off work…….YIPPEE!!! 3 day weekend again. I remember last Monday we were out on the canal for Roy’s birthday and a song came on the radio by THe Boomtown Rats called “I don’t like Monday’s”. I laughed and sang my own version along to it because  if every Monday was like last Monday  then “I LOVE Mondays!!

Best get packed for another fun filled weekend! Bye!!!!…………

Happy Birthday to Roy! Breakfast in bed and a nice lie in (apparently Roy needs it now he has reached the grand old age of 51!, I mean 21 + 30).

He was later greeted by Wish this morning saying ” Daddy, I want to take you for a Birthday walk.” Well actually it was me doing Wish’s voice for her, this always makes Roy laugh! Yes there are many strange things that I do, this is one of them. I am sure lots of other people do it to I am just mad enough to admit it!!

Wonderful sunshine this morning again when we woke up. We had a leisurely cruise back through Swarkestone & Stenson Lock where we moored up and went to The Bubble Inn for some lunch. First time we have been and the food was fantastic and presented beautifully. Came out feeling stuffed! Even left some food because I was so full (unusual for me!) We will definitely be going back there.

Hopefully we will have some news regarding the house to boat move this week. All being well September should be the month to move on Foxglove. Fingers crossed.

I find housework really good fun on the boat……….its like playing house when you are little. Even putting the washing on and hanging it out in the engine room is fun!  Nick & Emma if you are reading, my washing dried in around 1 hour after hanging it up in there cause after travelling the heat from the engine dried it really quickly, sometimes engines are good above floor level 😉 Are you convinced yet? xx

The ironing was also fun! Did I really just say that?? It was done in no time and my goodness it was the first time I had ironed whilst Roy was driving the boat and to look out the window with such incredible views and have the scenary change as you iron was just fab!

Big week this week as Rob starts the tiling tomorrow and the canopy should also be finished by next weekend. This will be the last of the major jobs to do on Foxglove. Really looking forward to seeing the finished results. Hopefully lots of before and after pictures to do next weekend.

Great weekend again……….very relaxing! Even doing the ironing 😉

Well what a hectic couple of weeks it has been since the week away on the River Trent. That seemed like months ago because so much has happened and work has been extremely busy!

Well it is now Saturday and I was so ready for an extra long weekend. No work until Tuesday so I am making the most of it.

Whilst the sun was still out today we decided to make our way out of the marina……….. engine started, reversed out of mooring……all going well then the heavens opened!

We had also decided to fill up with diesel. Bad timing! As soon as we filled up the rain stopped thank goodness and off we set out of the marina……….decisions, decisions, do we go left or do we go right…….

Left it was………..Decided to head to Ragley Boat stop for an extremely late lunch.

Moored up right outside the pub (Ragley Boat Stop) where a lovely family made such a fuss of Wish! She is one spoilt dog. Plenty of belly rubs and lots of fuss by the family who also had a collie dog. Don’t forget send me the photo you guys when you read this!

Everyone is so sociable out on the canalside. Nice to stop and chat rather than the constant running around during the working week.

4pm we sat down to eat and my goodness was I ready for it. Had an afternoon nap just like a little piggy…….belly full and off to sleep, I was just really tired. Not good to sleep at 5pm in the afternoon but it just had to happen, I was just sooooo tired.

I was woken up around 6 ish by lots of shouting outside…….wondered what on earth had gone on. Another narrowboat had broken down and someone else had offered to tow them and another boat decided to help also. Went out to say hello and we moved our boat along a bit so all 4 boats could fit in. Perfect fit!

Well before no time it was 7.30 pm and we had been given a tour of 2 of the other boats and they also came to look at ours. I find it amazing that we let total strangers on to our boat and yet we would never think of inviting strangers off the street to come and look around your house. Something different about the narrowboat world. Its like how the world  used to be many decades ago……you can leave your doors open, windows open and have the freeness (if that is a real word) just to feel “free” 🙂 Relaxing feeling!

Not sure 1 couple understood the boatmans cabin………Emma & Nick if you are listening they are in agreeance with you……….engines should be below the decks!!

Well the light has gone outside and Wish is shattered after having a good run out on the field playing with her ball. Just had cake and cup of tea and going to watch a film……..

I wonder what tomorrow will bring ?

Safely arrived back in the marina today after a fantastic and unforgettable week.I am so glad that I do this blog to capture all the memories that I have encountered.

Had a lovely surprise waiting for us back at the marina, Emma & Nick, who bought our last boat, Marpessa2 from us. The boat still looks great and they have made it look very homely. It looks great you two if you are reading. It felt so strange having a guided tour and seeing the changes they had made but it really is a beautiful boat. If it wasn’t for Marpessa I don’t think we would have fallen in love with narrow boating as much as we did. Emma & Nick are having a fantastic time on it and it really shows. They are both so very happy!!

After bacon sandwiches and cups of tea warmly received from Emma, they followed us over to Foxglove for the guided tour. The last time they saw Foxglove was before any of the renovation started and I am sure they thought we had lost our minds as Marpessa was really a beautiful boat.

We have had a fabulous afternoon with them and they both really do inspire you to living on a narrowboat. Thanks you two! xxxx

Tomorrow is an exciting day for our friends Angus & Janet as they will be taking their boat out on her maiden voyage.

Can’t wait to see you both and the work that you have done! Get the glasses ready Janet………I am on my way!!

We were moored up before midday today at Trent Bridge! How exciting is that? I found it quite bazar to see canoeists travelling past and these huge sight-seeing boats coming up behind us in these huge expanse of space. Cruised on under Trent Bridge……….it just felt crazy. Cannot believe that we are on a narrowboat, on the river and we have moored up here for the rest of the day.

Meadow Lane Lock

Under Trent Bridge

There was a reason for coming this way as best friends of ours Nancy & Roger are now living in Nottingham literally 5 minutes from Trent Bridge so we have had lunch out with them at Trent Bridge ( definitely recommend this place to eat) and a quick ride out to see Nancy’s new home (gorgeous!!) and then back to the boat for a cuppa.

County Hall – Nottingham

County Hall – Nottingham

Sitting this evening we have actually managed to have the side hatch doors open as it has been raining all day. Heard this shouting from a man who sounded a real task master!! People were having training on the canoes and this particular one had a dragon on the front. He sounded like a Sergeant Major!! He certainly made them work hard.

This weekend is Nottingham River Festival so we have been lucky to get a mooring spot today because as from Friday there is no mooring allowed on the section where we are today. Everywhere else along the river was filling up fast!

I know to some people they might just take this for granted but today has seemed quite unbelievable. I feel it is quite remarkable that we are sitting her tonight watching this surreal world go by outside.

Treasure every moment!