THE END

I started the season with no idea about boats, canals or what I was letting myself in for.  I came from a sad place to start a new chapter in my life, a big adventure, to set me on my way.
I learnt more and gained more than I ever thought I would.
It was an incredible journey, ups and downs, ins and outs, I went through a lot on the boat and learnt a huge amount about myself.  Facing some past demons and pushing myself beyond my limits.

The whole experience puts a smile on my face thinking of it, being on the water and travelling constantly felt right, felt so me and no down lasted long once I looked out on the glistening water or listened to the ducklings chirping.  I loved being back at work after so long and thoroughly enjoyed working and throwing myself into something  so totally.  (I'm not talking about my fall in!)  It was a bit of a shock to the system, working 12-14 hours a day everyday.  Except for our one evening off, which whilst the time out was needed, mostly I just wanted to be on the boat working.

It was hard, tough at times, there were some tears, some frustration and a lot of bruises!  Outweighed however with lots of smiles and buckets of giggles.  I laughed so much, sometimes it hurt!  I saw some amazing things, some wonderful wildlife and stunning views.  I have seen some countryside I never knew existed and saw a totally new side to places I thought I knew.

I have memories which will never leave me and lovely new friends I will never forget.
Lots of new skills, some more confidence and a lot more happiness.
The whole experience and journey has meant so much to me and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to have had it in my life and the ability to move on.   I have proved to myself that I can do it and if  I am honest I am  a little proud of myself.

Boating is now under my skin and I won't leave it all behind, but for now I am on dry land, continuing my new journey and remembering the good times of the last 6 months :)

Thanks for all my followers and viewers.  I shall keep you posted on what comes next!

Rxxx

Last Week

Well Here I am a week after leaving the boat and the end of the season.

The last week was good, odd in some ways, I think a mix of sadness it was nearly over, tiredness after 26 weeks of hard work and lot of fun from the relied we made it!  We had a good group of passengers and the lovely crew boys helping us out.  We travelled from Little Venice to Windsor, a lovely little diversion up the Regents canal to Camden then down the Grand Union, Bulls Bridge then down the Hanwell flight, which Steered down, it was fab.  Lots of help needed but learned a lot and felt great to be taking the boat down the flight with the other boys off locking!Then onto Brentford, onto the TIddal Thames from there, off and onto Runnymead, Bourne End and onto Henley before heading back to Windsor for the final boating day.

The weather was stunning all week, beautifully sunny all day with some incredible sunrises, sunsets and starry nights.  It was chilly chillsome, the hats and glvoes came out in force and a hot water bottle for a chilly cabin!  The stove went on which was super cosy, but sadly crew cabin was a little icicle!

The week before I had a wee fall, tripping over a lock gate on the Hanwell Flight, flying over it and landing on my shoulder.  It hurt!  However I obviously decided that this wasn't enough bruising so in the final week, whilst moored   in Runnymead I decided that I would hurl myself off the back and wedge yself in between the boat and the side.  Ok, it wasn't a conscious decision, I feel in a hole and fell, jesus lord above me did it hurt, I can't even describe it.  I was found lying on the grass bank, crying shit, ouch, shit, ouch, ouch shit ouch!  I had to be carried back to the boat and put to bed with an ice pack!  I did a real number on my leg, a very impressive bruise and graze, which I feel i did deserve to have something to show for the pain!  It hasn't stopped hurting yet!

Starting to pack was horrible and kept putting it off.   The last guests of the season left on the Saturday morning and we got cleaning, in the afternoon I did some more packing and in the evening we had an end of Season meal out!  It was great to have kat back, lovely to see her and have my original roomy back for a night!

Leaving on the Sunday was awful.  I felt teary the whole time I was getting my stuff together and saying goodbye, that was tough.  I felt a bit sick driving out of the car park, away from the boat and cried most of the way, with some calls of "what the fudge am I gonna do now!

Freedom

is the most liberating feeling.  Life on the water is happiness.

We are in week 25, with only 10 days to go, the nights have drawn in, the chilly wind has caught us up again and the tiredness has turned to delirium.

We have gone from the K&A, onto the Thames, down onto the Wey, back onto the Thames, onto the Tidal Thames briefly today to grab onto the GU this evening.  Some proper locking tomorrow and I may even have my windlass back in a state of repair and useability!

The last few weeks have been fabulous if not a little grey hair inducing!

Lots of kingfisher spotting and giggling.

Top Wildlife spot : Marsh Harrier on the Thames
Most giggle inducing conversation :  Double Dipping
Oddest moment:  Being given a round of applause on entering the dining room after making dinner
Most stunning sight:  The shimmering waters in the early morning by the weir at Romney lock Windsor.


Snoozing required.

Plan to bore you with a day in the life of next week and details of all my cooking escapades on the last week of the season, maybe even with pics!

Nighty nightyness

xxx

P.S.  very odd noises outside, could be swans, hope so.

shiver me timbers

I have been off the boat nearly a week and missing it.
I got the lergy, tried to shug of the feeling sicky and dizziness, but come monday morning was a shivery wreck, proper lergy time.  Cover was arranged and my lovely sister came to pick me up and brought me back to her house for some looking after, I have been plied with vitamins, baked beans and lots of tea and feeling all good now.

I am heading back to boaty land this afternoon and to meet my new crew mate!  Thats it, at last we have new crew and some much needed help!  I was quite getting used to having the cabin all to myself but was missing company.  Fingers crossed she is nice, not too normal and doesn't keep imaginary hamsters in her handbag.

I am just waiting for my life down to Seend, then we hit Caen Hill tomorrow, up to Devizes then trundling along the slow bit of the K&A on to Newbury.

5 weeks left, blimey is that all!

The normal world is overrated, back to knowing no news in our little bubble on the water!

Rxxx

Pooped McPooped

Well heloo there,
Sorry for being so quiet, I am can explain my absence with the Busy card, which is lame, I know I know.

I am sitting here in my cabin all lonesome.  Kat left on Saturday and I really miss her.
We were supposed to have a new person joining us on Sunday, however she didn't turn up.  It was all very strange as she had been in contact that day, we couldn't get hold of her and still she didn't come and no word or sign of her. Last night we found out that she had been in a car accident, she left a message so is out of the worst of it, but sounded pretty horrid.  It feels all a bit surreal that on her way to start her new job here that happens, I never mat her and probably never will now.  Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Therefore since Saturday morning we have been firing with 2 rather than 3 cylinders which is tough going, I would know being one the worn out grinding to a halt cylinders.  We do have someone coming to help tomorrow for a couple of days, which will be a relief .  We are fully booked this week, 7 guests to cater for and getting the boat down the K&A.  Phewf really is.  We did Caen hill on Sunday which was crazy knackering, we did have a helper though in the shape of the lovely James coal boat. He was a star. I am dashing in and out like a mad thing at the moment can barely catch my  breath.

Been a struggle today, had a weep over the scrambled egg this morning, well actually waited until out the kitchen but was very embarrassing.  I am just too over tired and can't sleep either which is not so useful.  It is to much really.  Hoping this won't go on for much longer.   Had several occasions today when I just wanted to burst into tears. Oh my god my brain is shutting down I can barely think let alone see the screen.

My past demons have caught up with me a bit this week too.  You know when you just feel like you want to run away and curl up quietly.  That.  Would have given almost anything today to be on a sofa in front of a warm fire with a blankie and a big squishy cuggle.

Anway I must get back in the kitchen.  Make dinner, eat dinner myself, sleep.
Rxxx

K&A Hooray

We are back on the Kennet and Avon and so pleased, been really looking forward to coming back down this way.  Proper locking again and long hard days, yey!

Had a nice evening last night with old friends in Aldermaston.  We are in Newbury tonight, not sure of our stops tomorrow and the next few days, all a bit of a blur since May when we were last here.  Devizes for Friday though, know that much!  Still no confirmed Kat replacement yet, eeeschk!  I haven't told her yet, but I won't let her leave if no one else is coming, I will use a belt to tie her to the sink.  I can teach her navigation she doesn't really need to go to college at all.

Dinner seemed to go well and now am in bed and ready for snoozy time, full tummy and jammies on.

Night all
Rxxx

Fest Fest

We have arrived in Reading and fought our way through the welly wearing strongbow drinking festies!
We are very close to the festival site and have been enjoying playing guess the band, the passengers not so much!

We are here until Sunday, when we hop back on the Kennet and Avon, so excited can't wait to get back to proper hard core locking and the beautiful country side.
We will be in Aldermaston Sunday, Newbury on Monday then weedling our way down to Devizes.
Last week of the Kat, will have to make the most of it and drive her nuts for a whole week!  I am going to try and hug her at every given opportunity and put sweetcorn in everything I cook! Ha that'll teach ya!

We are off out tonight in the mighty Reading, really looking forward to some cocktail action.

Had a really good week, feeling good and loving being back.

Happy weekend
Rxxx

Term 3

Well here we, Term 3 has begun.  I have 2 months left of the season and only 2 weeks left of the lovely Kat.  We still don't have a replacement yet, a little bit worried now!

I have had a good week off, chilling out in the Cotswolds at my gorgeous sisters house.  We had a busy start to the week, moving all my belongings into storage, my life is now contained in a metal box 80 ft square!  But then made up for it by doing precious little for the rest of the week.  One day, I walked to the local deli for cheese, the next day I walked through a beautiful wild garden to the pub, then the next day went to a Lavender farm and the next went for afternoon Tea in a lovely hotel.  So thats not bad, although around those things, I just sat, ate, drunk lots of wine, chatted and slept, a lot!  Hurrah!

I have noticed that everywhere I type, I completely overuse the !!!!, so annoying, I must stop, not sure cold turkey is the way to go, perhaps reduce it bit at a time!  Oops!  bugger it* thats better.

We leave Godalming in the morning and heading to Reading this week for the weekend.  We will be Send tomorrow, Weybridge, Windsor, not sure the order after that, perhaps Marlow/Henley/Sonning.  Will be fun being in Reading for the festival weekend.

Going to have an early night tonight, had lots of late boozy nights and need to remember how to cater for guests tomorrow.

Bysie bye blog friends.

Rxxx

Bag all packed

End of Term two it is indeed.  Two terms done already, madness.

Sitting here in clean and tidy cabin, with a yummy Golden Hare with my bag packed next to me.
I shall be catching up with friends and trying to sit down as much as possible, preferably with book and wine in hand!

The Wey has been lovely this week, it really is very pretty.  The weather not great though, pretty showery and twice, now I have started the morning in shorts and had to change, huh hum, this is summer, I should not be having to endure goose bumpies to wear shorts thank you kindly, I expect better on my return!

It seems that I still have no new crew mate, eeeshk!  The one who was offered the job has pulled out. So in three weeks time, at this rate I shall be all on me tod, thanks to big fat abandoner!

Not much to report really this week, no major wildlife sightings or interesting happening, just quiet poodling along the Navigation, through Pyrford, Send and Guildford.  On our return we shall be heading back that way onto Reading, there for the Festival weekend and Kat's last weekend with us, so should be a good one.

I have finally found what the darn song is that has been in my head for days, Phil Collins Invisible Touch, unfortunately that has just made it stick more and think it is now there forever, there with the tune from Little Mermaid thanks to big fat abandoner!

Right am off to prep my tummy for polishing off the leftover cheese, shit job but someone has to :)

Happy Friday all, enjoy

Rxxx

On the Way to the Wey

Hey all,

Sitting here outside Hampton Court, outside our usual overflow pipe, trickle trickle trickle.

We head back to Weybridge tomorrow then we leave the Thames until End September.  Onto the Wey we go.  Very much looking forward to getting back to doing proper locks, none of this button pressing nonsense. Windlasses at the ready.  The Wey windlasses are very long though, glad I don't have to carry that on a bike.

We will be at Pyrford tomorrow night, Send on Wednesday night, Thursday at Guildford, Friday at Godalming.  Then I head off on Saturday for my week off, got fair bit to do, but have scheduled in some serious sitting down!

I had a nice wander around East Moseley this afternoon, a few nice shops and a lovely cafe where I had a delicious mint and licorice tea, yummy!

Knee is feeling much better, but think I need some magic next week so seeking some magic givers.

Off back into the hub, take care all.

Rxxx

Bed Picnic

Ellooo.

We have arrived in Windsor for the weekend and the drop off and pick up of passengers.
It is my evening off and I am prepared for a bed picnic, with guacamole, crisps, pepper slices and some California rolls!  With the addition of a good 3g connection so I am gonna eat, sit and watch stuff! yeah woo.

I have done some jobs so ready for a good rest after my adventurous week!

Cool moment of the week:  finding 3 double yolker eggs!
Wildlife spot of the week:  American Mink wandering around the side of Romney Lock.
Quote of the week:  "I don't like nibbling in bed"!
Wow moment of the week:  Several large flocks of Canada Geese flying over head, we heard them before we saw them!
Stupidist moment of the week:  Falling in the Thames, killing my knee!
Giggle moment of the week:  When asking Kat to read to me, I get the life and times of Sainsbury's basics toilet roll!
Memory moment of the week:  Steering a pair of working boats!  (thanks boys!)

What a crazy week.  Next week is our last before end of term 2 and a week off!  I think we all need it.
Passengers have been lovely this week, have enjoyed having them.

Right off to delve into my picnic and choose a program to watch, this is exciting to me, best friday night ever!

Hapy Friday night all
Rxxx

Rosie Overboard!

Well the day came, it had to happen really didn't it!  Yup, thats it, Rosie fell in!
So here is what happen:

Once upon a time, there was..........only joking!
So we were moored up in Mapledurham (Reading) for a quick lunch break.  I was on crew yesterday so I was casting off, untied the rope, pulled out the pin and ready to hop on board.  TR had started to drift a bit, so I was pulling her in, went to leap onto her, rope and pin in hand........the next I know I am in the river, I landed on my feet, was just pushing my self back up when I realised where I was.  I went to turn around to James to make a joke about my falling in, twately, saw his face and thought, oh dear he looks worried.  I felt totally fine, apart from twatty.  He helped pull me out, back onto the bank and as soon as I was out, I thought, bloody hell that hurts.  I had obviously bashed my knees as they were killing and took me a few minutes to straighten and walk back to the boat.

So I got back on the boat and just sat on the roof, dripping wet, squelching in my shoes.  Sat there, whilst Kat  cast off, properly! I felt a bit of a fraud watching K&J trying to get the boat away from the bank and though I am fine.  Got to the lock just a few hundred yards away and was like nah I can do this no problem.  My arm was starting to hurt and my knees weren't to bad, so just though, bah, bit of pain aint gonna stop me!  So I grabbed my rope, slid down to the gunnels, slid slid and slid and somewhere who knows how caught myself, I was half way to falling in again!  I was a bit discombobulated by this!  I got off, held the rope and realised that I couldn't feel my feet, legs or hands!  I called Kat, in what I thought was a pathetic weedy voice, but apparently sounding quite normal! I sat down and realised, I am not at all fine!!  I started shaking and felt most peculiar 

After a cuppa and a sit on the lock landing, I went to find my rescue remedy and get a cold towel for my arm as it was starting to swell and go purple!  I was in  he kitchen and suddenly couldn't breath normally, I felt dizzy sick and breathing was all over the shop.  I think I slightly freaked out poor Kat and she got James, who was a star and could see it was shock and got me lying down with my feet up.  Lying on the kitchen floor s wuite odd I must say!  Especially with lots of people starring at me!  This went on for a while.  James called NHS direct, who I spoke to when I was breathing a bit better, she basically said all the symptoms sounded like shock and just checked I was concussed or drowning inside!  I really felt the most odd.  My hands were numb and tingly, my legs were so achy I couldn't bend them, I felt so spacey, and like I was made of jelly.

James took me to one of the double rooms, which was empty (no jokes, this is a serious matter!!), so I could lay down without and audience, why do people think starring at someone having a panick attack is helpful! One of our lovely passengers got me some rescue remedy  which really helped as did Kat threatening to cut me to relocate the pain and reading the label off the back of the toilet roll!  I really felt like I had been hit by a steam roller, trampled by a herd of wildebeast and then hung upside down from the moon.

I had a wee sleepy, then felt able to get up a few hours later and had a cuppa and some fresh air.  A shower was definitely on my mind too, Thames scum on my and damp pants was not helping me feel any better!  I felt fine to don dinner service, but was quite wibbly still and glad I wasn't cooking, I was spacey enough to not be safe with hot things!  I had Kat's yummy lasagne and garlic bread and straight to bed with me.  I couldn't sadly as all positions meant leaning on a sore bit and I was super hot!  I woke up this morning like I was made of railway sleepers, so stiff, achey and sore.  My knees are buggered, but nothing at all to show for it! Pah! Pah again!  The most piddly crappy bruises and a teeny scrap on my arm!  I did managed to bang, scrap whatever the two most problematic areas I have atm the moment though, wrists and knees, good job!

I shall be dandy in a day or two, just feel a big idiot cos it really wasn't a bad fall and what a fuss!  We must have been at that lock landing for hours with me in a puddle on the kitchen floor, in the way of everyone and delaying our day!

Everyone was lovely and my fab crew mates were stars, thanks for looking after me lovely ones!

Sadly no pictures but I am sure you can all make one in your own minds of a flailing crazy slipping off a boat into the Thames!

Rxxx

Washer women

There is something quite nicely back to basics about sitting on the back of the washing my pants in a bucket!  It did somewhat eat into my sitting and eating crisps time, however we all need clean pants.  

So we are now weedling our way back down the Thames and away from Oxford, last trip up there for this season.  I really do like Oxford, had a great aft/evening with my gorgeous sister on friday night.  A wee drop too much vino though I feel!  You know when you open your eyes after a night out and think, oh thats not too bad, oh hang on my eyes aren't open, then you realise you can actually open them without feeling like your head is going to explode!  Luckily I didn't have too cook all day and by dinner I was ok and could stomach food!  I really should have felt a lot worse though, so no complaints!

Here are some pics of in and around Oxford:

Turns out the crazy man in Abingdon who looked very excited to see us was infact someone Kat knew, sorry twitter man!

We had the Robin Smithett with us today taking photos of the boat, he wrote my hotel boat book I got fo my birthday!  A real famous person! So looks like me and my hat are going to be in next years brochure!  Good hat.

I find sailors on the river very odd.  Not the sailors obviously, sure they are perfectly pleasant.  But the whole sailing thing on river, well guess not that odd, but they all over the shop, like wasps on the water.  I always panic alittle (inside only of course!) that one is going to fly into the side of us.  Funny things.  The guys today though were bloody good, serious control of those wee boaties.

I don't have anything usefull to say today, well I am sure there is something somewhere but it is deep deep down!  Si am going to love you and leave you and go eat crisps and watch Friends!

Tara

Rxxx

Curly

Well, Emsy has left and Kat has returned, back to normal tomorrow.
Had a great long weekend working with the gorgeous Emsy woo, she was a star, we had much fun and were a good working team.  Glad that all went well for Kat's insight into her new exciting adventure.

I am pooped.  6 days in the kitchen on the trot and I am looking forward to being outside tomorrow!

Lots of cows outside.

R  zzzzz

Reflection

Hey all

Sitting here on this Saturday night in Oxford.  My wonderful friend Em is here working with me this weekend whilst Kat is off playing in field with men in Navy uniforms!
It is great having her here and making work more fun!

I have realised so much about myself in recent months and being in such a calm environment does allow me to see things from a different perspective.  Life seems so much more simple and things we take for granted just seem like such a gift.  It is refreshing and lovely to see the world from the outside almost and away from poisonous influences.  Iit is a real learning curve in all ways and believe I will know myself better than ever before by the end of this adventure. I admit I have been very very wobbly the lady few weeks and the whole thing has lost its shine, but I am started to see through it and the black is turning to grey and slowly back to blue.  I am fortunate to be where I am and just need to keep sight of that, no matter what else the past is keeping within me.    I am even looking forward to waking up tomorrow to see if Mr sun is present as forecast and seeing the rippling water and ducks outside my bedroom door.

We leave Oxford tomorrow and head to Lechlade.  A strange week I think but lots of pretty countryside to see.  Hoping for more kingfishers, I owe Em some kingfisher action for sure!

Tried to pluck up courage to go and talk to lovely Rich from Osney lockeeper, but well, didn't!  He is oddly charming and is intriguing.  May bump into him in the week, lets see!

Nighty night
Rxxx

My bird spotting skills have been on fire the last couple of days!

I saw 5 kingfishers yesterday! Only two today! However in total it more than doubles the number of kingfishers I seen , ever!  They are so gorgeous.  Not sure that everyone else was quite as excited about it as me, but hey ho, I am happy to geek all by self!  TO be fair to them, mostly it was me running in going, ooh ooh did you see that kingfisher, oh its gone now, ooh there he is, oh no he's gone now!  They believed me in the end.

We moored in Mapledurham last night, in a lovely spot, very pretty:

Oh I was trying to upload some pics then but connection is pop here!  hey ho will have to wait until tomorrow.  I keep rhyming without realising recently, perhaps there is a poet in my bursting to get out!. Yeah maybe not.

Looking forward to a pint later, we are moored outside a hotel so would be rude not to!

Rxxx

Ps here you go:   

just none cornettos don't give it to me tra la la.

We have just moored up outside an ice cream van in Marlow.  however it is not acceptable to be holding an ice cream in the wind, drizzle and cloud.  I popped out of my kitchen cave onto the neighbouring bench and enjoyed a cuppa and one of my gluten free mini victoria sponges, which were quite tasty!

Wishing today that I was on holibobs in the sun relaxed and happy.

We are off to Henley tomorrow, Pangbourne Tuesday, Shillingford on Wednesday, Abingdon on Thursday and into Oxford for Friday.
If anyone is near give me a yell, would be good to see a friendly face.

Having the wobbles about the winter job, not sure whether to go to interview.  Hmm really don't know. WIll think about it again tomorrow.

Need a wee and to get the Coq au Vin on.

Laters gaters (I didn't really say that, I was taken over temporarily!

Rxxx

Queenie

So we are still in Windsor.  Just Rosie on the boat today.  Kat is out with a friend and James on his way back from home.  Had a good morning of cleaning, now trying to get some Rosie bits done before guests descend on us tomorrow.  Although, once they arrive I dissapear off for my day off with the gorgeous Emsy, yey!
Sitting with all the windows and covers open on the gorgeous day over looking the park, very pleasant indeed.  I may even improve it later with a beer, although will need to go purchase crisps to make it!

Sunset swans last evening

These park goers are killing me with the smell of barbies!  Bring me cheeseburger!

Rxxx

The Big Shmoke

Some pics from last weekend in Little Venice.
My the boatie looks big!

Had a walk down the stretch through LV and down the Paddington Basin all the way until I ended up on Edgware Road.  It is lovely down there and done nicely with some quirkyness and nice looking bars and foodness.  This cool bridge appealed to my randomness.

Morning Picture, first view of the day

Us in a box in Brentford

Rxx

Elves and Barnets

Ello all.
I am starting to feel a bit more like Rosie again.  Apologies for the low posts.
We have a quiet no guest week so beetled our way up to Windsor quick smart and now have the rest of the week to ourselves.  It is perfect, chilled out and quiet.  We vowed to do no cooking this week, so have had, packet pasta, jacket potatoes but bangers and mash tonight, so had to peel and chop potatoes which is certainly cooking!!

Many highlights today!!
1. with a capital O, is the incredibly gorgeous diver who was at Old Windsor lock this afternoon.  Dear lordy of all things pure was he sex on legs.  Couldn't stop looking at him!  Just gorgeous.  Tried to keep talking to him as long as possible, but alas eventually had to actually do my job and cast off to move out of the lock!! mmmmm yummy!
2.  Getting and interview for a winter job, in Lapland no less.  I decided not to tell anyone in case I jinxed it, as so excited bout it but worried about the interview full of presentations.  However the excitement meant I couldn't keep it to myself!!
3.  Booking a hair appointment!  A new me is a coming.  Going for the big chop and colour change!!  Yey.  no more dull Rosie, time to be me in the hair department!

Chipoloatas are very enjoyable.

Rxxx

P.s Have pics I wanna post, will upload tomorrow! Some good london ones.

Saturday lonesomeness

I am on the boat all on me tod.  it is weird, Not sure good weird 
I got some nice dips and some beer, got my comfy troosers on and about to watch friends, still wish someone was here to share my choccies and wine with though.  I think I had enough time doing that by myself.

So here I am in Little Venice, the world is bustling around me and I am still as.  So much going on, so much noise fun and laughter outside.  They do say careful what you wish for, well it's so true.  I thought some me time would be grand, turns out, tisn't!  Want some company and some hugs.

Hey ho.  We are off o our way tomorrow and up onto the Thames.  Winding our way to Windsor although not so winding, as we ahve no guests we can beetled our way up quick smart and have a couple of quiet days when we get there.  Hurray! t hink I may have the big hair chop!

Had a lovely walk today along the canal through Paddington and ended up in Edgware Road, gorgeous stretch and done up really nicely.  Really like it here.

Off to carry on my lonely Sat night with my DVD style Friends!

Rxxx

Rubbish

I yes I know I have been pantsorama.  Many reasons why, RD has been so quiet.
I will have time tomorrow and will enthral you with it all then.

But for now, I am a year older, my crew mate is 3 fingers down and my energy is non existent.

Night night for now.

Rxxx

pretty skies

Ick

Was a bit poorly last night, so sent myself off to bed at 8.30 with a cup of tea.  Very wibbly today but doing bit better now.  2 big hugs from the lovely Mike (ex owner of TR) and seeing a duck nesting in the middle of a tomato plant cheered me up and got me through the day!  The good thing is I have no choice but to just get on with it, so that does help strangely, however for the first time I really would have quite liked to be tucked up on the sofa, with my blanky, pots of tea and a bunch of 80's films!

Good steering action today even if I do say myself and enjoyed round 2 of the Blisworth tunnel, amazing.

We are now moored up in Cosgrove, back into Stoke Breurne tomorrow for the weekend.  Looking forward to my Saturday off to chill.  Was hoping to have a curry, shall see how tummy is fairing!

I shall soon be posting about my Greenflly campaign, small but perfectly formed!

Rxxx

Cat with a K

I had the pleasure of meeting another gorgeous Kat last night!  The guy moored behind us in a working boat has a cat called Kat!  Brilliant!  She was comedy, so was he in fact!

We are moored in Weedon tonight, which tickles me, as we passed through last week we saw a building with stating the place as ’ Weed on’  in two words! Teeheee  I know, juvenile! 

Good lordy has it been hot hot hot!  Jus thow I like it!  Although working in heat is not easy.  On Sunday had a tricky flight of locks, oh think I may have told you this, god I am terrible with days!  Yesrday I was in the kitchen and boy was I sweaty!  I kept having to pop outside for some air and I had seemed to give myself a full on cooking day.  I was very pleased with my caeser salad though, how does a cold meal involve so much oven usage though I ask you!

This time next week it shall be my birthday!  A boaty birthday how cool.  Feels strange to be around people you don’t know on my birthday, but kinda cool, not sure I would want big birthday bob’s celebrations this year anyway.  We are full next week too so should be a good one and looking forward to heading back down London way!

Grrrr to the man who took over my locking today as he obviously thought he could do it better, as I had a sticky paddle, he just said stop there, took my windlass off me and proceeded to wind it for me.  I had a few, well one primarily choice words for him, in my head only as my boss knew him.  One way to rile Rosie is to take over as you think you can do it better, Grrr!

Funny day today, chilly and cloudy, no storms that others seem to be reporting though.  We were up early doors to go through Branston Tunnell, which was great.  It is so windy and bendy!  How can tunnels not be straight!  Glad I wasn’t driving and probably so was everyone else!  Apparently a mistake was made though in the building of it, quite a mistake!  Just 7 locks today, and none tomorrow and then another tunnel day for me on Thurday at Blisworth, Cosgrove on Thurday night and Stoke Breurne on Friday and the weekend, then our decent into London village!

I ahve been thinking that I would hate to leave this life in October, I love being by the water, on a boat, surrounded by people, chatting to new people everyday.  Anytime I feel blue or stressed, it is gone before I know it, because a random has said hello to me, I have seen a baby duckling propel itself along the canal, Kat has made me tea and James had made me giggle or the sun sparkles on the water.  I need to find another boat related job!

Back to work, dinner time.

Tara Rxxx

Scratchy

Wow what a scorcher!  It has been a beautiful day, gorgeously hot and sunny.
   I was slightly struggling by 5 I must admit.  Only 12 locks, but they are toughies and did I say how hot it was!
Stroke of luck it was my night off though, so after a de sweated in a cold shower I pootled down to the canal side pub and had myself a pint and a read of my book in the evening sun, bliss!

Interestingly (to me!) this part of the Grand Union, has sections to the left of the lock, which used to be single locks on the canal, they are now blocked off but the water runs threw them and at some point they made wider locks which are the ones used solely now.  Very interesting.  Even more so, is that the bridges are very small indeed, we ahve to take down our chimneys and lie flat if on roof!  This is apparently because the locks used to be single locks only, the bridges were made for that purpose too, but never changed!

We also went up a staircase locks today, of only two locks, but still pretty cool.  I won't bore you with the in's and out's of staircases, cos I'm nice like that!  I understand they are cool to few special folk!

We are in Long Itchington tonight!  odd I know!  What a name! We are at the bottom of Stockton Locks, ready for tomorrow, decided against doing them today, as it got hot and late.  Off through to Braunston tomorrow, ready for the tunnel of Tuesday morning.

I am sitting on the roof in a vest top loving the warmth!

Oh have to mention my poor boss, who threw himself into the canal today.  Well not threw exactly, but fell and not canal exactly but lock!  I am trying to be the mum and look after his wounds, it is quite a hole in his leg!  Well at least it was him first, jolly decent of the boss to be the first fally in victim!

Happy not being cold in the nuddy night
Rxxx

Crackered

Tired
Pooped
Sentenceless
Lotsa locks
Pesky Grand Union North end Paddles
Busy Week, Great Week.
Lovely Guests
Warwick
Rainy
Aqueducts
Bendy Tunnels
Happy Happy Happy!

Tucked up in wee cabin in my comfies on with some M&S nibbles a glass of vino and Alan Sugar all ready to entertain me!  In a purely 2d sense of course! *shudders* at the other possibilities!

Write proper tomorrow will.
Rxxx

Log Flume

Had a fabulous day today.

We travelled from Stoke Bruene through the Blisworth tunnel, which is 3000m long and took us 45 minutes to get through.  It was incredible.  It was almost completely dark, our lights didn’t light it up much, but behind us were two narrow boats and could see from their lights more of the incredible work involved in creating it.  It was made by hand which is amazing, and as we travelled through I thought long about the brave and amazing leggers who carried out back breaking work to get the old working boats through the tunnel.   We are spoilt and had an engine and everyfink!  I did start to get a little claustrophobic about half way though, well I was fine but could feel it coming, my lungs were closing a bit and I could really feel the lack of air.  I just kept thinking how this was only after 45 minutes and people worked tirelessy in there for days, weeks, months.   

 Looking at the water behind us with boats travelling along reminded me of the log flume at alton towers!! 

Kat and I were giggle fest today.  One of those days where everything seems hilarious and the slightest thing makes us split in two in hysteria.  Think we are very well loosing the plot.

After a very early start, there was a long pound until  the flight at Buckby, which was a toughie! Deep locks and very heavy gates.  Was kerknackered by the end of it, with an early start, motoring at 7.30am.  We didn’t moor until 6pm, so a longun!  But the giggling got me through and a yummy dinner thanks to Kat.  Spinach and Ricotta roulade, yum scrum!

We are moored just shy of the Braunston tunnel, yes I know another tunnel, does the excitement never stop!  Just 6 months of tunnels and aqueducts would keep Kat and I happy!

We are booked to go through at 8am again and then we have the fun of travelling through Braunston on the day before the big working boat fair thingy, apparently already moored 4 a breast !  I don’t think we are going to be very popular trying to get our big ass through!  Will be fun though.

I am decked and off for sleepies.

Nighty night

Rxxx

Wonky

A lady on the canal side pub yesterday, when asked by the skipper if she was drinking gin and orange (it was 10am!) she replied, no no just orange, I can't take alcohol, it makes me wonky!  Priceless.

We left our dubious mooring spot yesterday morning and meandered our way along the Grand Union through some fairly ropey parts of Milton Keynes (if there are any non ropey parts that is!).  I missed through the fabulous train murals on the side of the canal, not sure how I was outside all day.  Obviously too engrossed in my brassoing!  There was also a nice park area which apparently has a medieval village, not sure we saw that, although did see a pile of old stones!!  I had a good session of steering yesterday through some tricky windy areas, with bridges on angles and other wide beams coming the other way!

We moored in Cosgrove last night, lovely little place.  It has been a beautiful shiny day all day, but unfortunately once we moored it started raining, so didn't manage my walk to go find the fox family that I was told about!  Thank you to the lovely Arthur (don't really know his name, but his boat's name is Aurthur, so I have named him that!), for helping me out, by moving your gorgeous boat so we could get a mooring spot.  I reward him with Kat's delectable chocolate cake.  Clearly not all of it, that would be foolish and he would have had to have done far more than move his boat for all a Kat's chocolate cake!!

We are now in Stoke Bruerne.  A nice little flight of locks into Stoke Bruerne itself, I am on kitchen duty today, but popped out to give Kat some help and our lovely guests did too, so a group effort!
it is very pretty here, I have been briefly before, a long while ago.  It is wee but nice.  I dropped into the canal museum this afternoon, which was great, really interesting. I love all the canal history.  There were some amazing people doing amazing things with the canals.  My respect goes to all those ex leggers out there!

Right, I am off to make sausage and bean casserole.  Hoping for a cheeky pint later.  I have been such a good Rosie.  No boozio since last Friday!!! I definitely deserve some pint action!!

Over and out for now
Rxxx

Who where what

A whole week with no Rosie's Dream............boohoo.  Not quite sure why this has occured, has been a funny week though.  I missed you RD!! I am back now though, phewf I hear you all cry!  

Due to this big whole, I shall give you a run down of the week gone by..................

Little Venice, Rain Rain Rain Rain, Cocktails, Sushi, Tube trains, Sister fun, Rain, Engine trouble, soggyness, Scrabble, locks, The Grand Union, Sun, 2 special friends visit, playing with Shadow the dog, seeing the Mikron theatre production Beer Street, Rain, dinner at the 3 horseshoes, a little too much wine, steering through bridge holes, talking to Mr greenfly,  Rain, scrabble, fish and chips, the canal boat pet duck, scrabble,  lying on lock gates, closest call yet to falling in, saved 2 young ducks from their lock fate,  Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain!

In a nutshell anyway!

Best overnight spot of the week:  Cassiobury Park, gorgeous spot, lovely people we met and a stunning moon.

Biggest lock day:  12 hours boating in the rain!

Wettest day:  Sunday, hands down, damp and soggy people and boat!

Biggest giggle day:  Girly sisterly afternoon in london on Saturday.  

Sadest day:  Tuesday, realise those who should care for you the most, don't always.

Happiest day:  Today, realising I have made a great new friend who makes me giggle and that I live in some of the beautiful parts of the country!!

We are in Leighton Buzzard this weekend, not loving it have to admit!  This week we have been to, Little Venice, Rickmansworth, Cassiobury Park, Winkwell, Tring, Slapton, Leighton Buzzard. 

We are on our way to Warwick this week, really looking forward to seeing that part of the world and most excitingly, 2 tunnels!!

Promise to be a better blogger this week!

Rxxx

Donkey Kong

What a total donkey I have been this week!  Levels of spacness, which are impressive even for me!  These include - Forgetting to put water in the steamer and wondering why the beans were burning!
           - Falling out of the boat, twice, and throwing my sandwich onto the roof
           -  Throwing my loaf of bread onto the floor from the oven hitting the coffee pot  and smashing it!
          -   wondering why I couldn't turn the paddle on a lock when I was going at it from the wrong side.
 There are more, they just blend in now!

An end to a good week and the start of an even better one.
We have no booked passengers next week so I have a few mates coming to stay on the boat with me, so excited to show them my lovely life here!
We are in London tonight and tomorrow, in Little Venice, its great here.  Not actually left the boat yet though!  Tomorrow I shall brave London proper, not just the canal and ducks!

6 cygnets and the ma and pa outside the kitchen window at breakfast this morning!! So cute, just wanted to cuggle one!  I did have a little cuddle with a pussy cat yesterday which was lovely, but then a dog walker came and it scarpered!  I need for cuggle quota!

Lots of cool little moments this week and they have all fallen out of my head!  How daft, that is the point of this thing, so I can remember them!  Ah well, they are in there somewhere I am sure!

Sitting in bed with wine, my blog and a smile on my face.  I keep thinking today how lucky I am and how much I love it here, it makes my smiles everytime I remember, where I am and where I was not that long ago. The hurt may not completely dissapear, but it sure can feel better when you follow your heart!

Nighty night
Rxxx

D for....................

I am sitting on my bed, listening to the sound of crashing water from the weir at Teddingon.

We were in Hampton Court last night, well, not so much in Hampton court, as moored up outside bit metal gates!  We spent most of the day there so our lovely ladies could go for a gander at le Palace.  We then took the epic journey all the way to Teddington!  We managed to make it seem longer, by going the wrong way to get water and pump out, then going back past Hampton Court to Teddington!

We head off tomorrow to Balls Bridge? Pauls Bridge? Something like that!  Laarndon innit!

Then on Friday morning, we head off into Little Venice.

It will be great to see London from such a different view.

Tomorrow on the locks sounds fun, as we have to go through this here lock at Teddington at a specific time, as we go on into the Tidal Thames!  Ooooooh!   Then I get a nice little flight of locks on the Grand Union I think.  

One of our guests has her birthday tomorrow, so I made her a birthday cake today!  It was great making a proper cake again, although not one of my best I must admit.  Icing cakes on the move is not the easiest!!!

Had a busy one today, super cooky, I made:

Shortbread, Bacon and Feta Quiche with Bread rolls and Salad (salad was hard work!), Cherry and Almond cake, Prawn and Avocado Salad, Cottage PIe, Pavlova and of course the birthday Carrot cake for tomorrow! I love days like that, much prefer being full on all day.  Although no sitting down time, so feet are all worn out now!  At 6oclock I realised I hadn't been out of the boat all day, so had 5 minutes on the wall outside!

Odd moment of the day:   One of my guests giving me a big hug and telling me I am like a granddaughter to her!!!

Highlight of the day:  Tiny fluffy Cygnets at the kitchen window.

Ooooooo Ooooooh, yesterday I saw another kingfisher!!  Go me!  I am now officially 2 nil up on the kingfisher spotting score board!!

Right I am busting for a piddle, so off to sort out that problem!

See you in London baby!

Rxxx

P.S D for ..... Dunce, Debbie or whatever you fancy.  The post it says so.

Slippery When Wet

1st proper day back after our week off and it is piddling down!  So, a long day out locking in the rain, wind and cold, delightful!!!  Actually it was fun, I think we started to get delirious and there were lots of giggles and rude jokes going around, fun day, but could do without the sopping wet clothes and muddy bedroom!
It is still pouring, I can hear the pattering on the roof.  I have decided, shockingly, that even though we are outside a pub, I shall stay in my dry warm room in my comfies!  I have even shocked myself!  With that and the decision to abandon hair straightening, what is up with me!!!

I have a lovely fabulous week off seeing my special people, chilling out and having fun.  Loved it.  I was looking forward to coming back, the real world is very fast and noisy!

Highlights of week off:  Seeing great friends, drinking without school night guilt, sleep ins, the most incredible 2 hour bath!, Bloody Mary and Fajitas night, Sunnyiness, cementing how much I love it here.

I rejoined the boat in Godalming yesterday after a mission of a journey back from Reading.  We left this morning after a somewhat delayed start due to boat brokeness, however a nice man came and fixed us, so off we poodled, Pyrford bound.  A bit of a trek but we must get boat fixed first thing tomorrow here.  No stopping today so a good 8 hours motoring today, phewwf!  Locking in the rain is tough, I am somewhat surprised that I didn't fall over or in today at all!  Bon Jovi was right indeedio, is really is bloody slippery when wet!

Highlight of the day:  Seeing a man dressed as an elephant walking slowly through a field being photographed!
Wildlife highlight of the day:  Baby highland cattle in the canal.
First time moment of the day:  Seeing a swimmer in the canal - seriously rather him than me.
Giggle of the day -A little head and tea joke from my boss!  Still makes me smiles after 4 hours! You had to be there!

I think I need tea, a sarnie and the apprentice!  Spose I should unpack too!

Thanks to all my lovelies for a great week last week, miss you all.

Over and out
Rxxxx (4 today, generous)

Dwunk

Thats all I can say.

......................................

Well thats a lie, I can always say more than that......I am just too bloody tired to!
Great night seeing a great mate, as has been last 4 nights, loving my week!
Huzzah!

Rxxx

Ruby Ruby Ruby Rubyyyy

Had the yummiest curry for dins, super scrumptious.  Been craving it for so long, it hit the spot big time.
Had a lovely evening and looking forward to day 2 of week off tomorrow!

Had a fab night last night at the Strickland Arms in Witney, watching the Dirty Earth band, who were great, had good pub grub and a good boogie!  Great fun.  Bath no. 1 of the week was also much enjoyable, hot water, lying down, glass of wine.  Bargain.

Rxxx

Flat Bottomed Boats you make our Rocking World Go Round......

One Sunny day a flat bottomed boat came into my life
My rocking world went round
Canals and rivers all around
but not as far as Fife

Confusion followed whereever I was
But where was I
back to front and inside out was I
but not once in the drink was I

7 adventurous and fun weeks went past
and the time came to have a rest
so off I go to be a guest
travelling on a chu chu, oh so fast.

End of Term!

So, first term done, 7 weeks of work, fun, sun, burning, cakes and locks and now I have a whole week off!  Yippeedoodaah!

I am very excited. I have my whole week planned, 3 lots of staying with great friends, laced with hugs, a bath and lots of sleep!

I bet I will miss it and be desperate to get back on the water but boy I am looking forward to having some time to be!  I am also supe hug deprived so watch out my special girlies, I'm a coming and will be demanding hugs at every opportunity!

We are moored up in Godalming right outside Sainsbugs, very handy for when we return!
We were moored at Dapdune wharf last night, in Guildford.  I didn't have a chance to look around, had a long kitchen day, one of those that doesn't let up and really doesn't go according to plan.  I did make the most delicious brownies though with mayonaise!  I know!  But it works!!  Luckily it made a gazillion as they are delicious and shall be scoffing them at Kat's cake picnic tomorrow after work!!  However my Lemon Mousse did not succeed so, the bloomin Soya cream didn't whip and I blame Mr Alpro entirely.  However it seems that it could have been me, adding the lemon juice too early!!  Whoopsles!

I have packed my bag, with a nice big gap in it so I can bring back things, I have a list of things to get from the house, jumpers and weighing scales!

I shall keep you posted of my week off shenanigans, but there be less shenanigans and more sitting down!

Take Care
Rxxx

Send Pend Lend Tend Fend Vend Bend Wend Mend

What a beautiful day, hey hey, what a beautiful day, something seems impossible lalalaltraaaalalala.

A gorgeous day for locking today and so pleased to be properly locking again, non of this automated business!
A little journey today from Pyrford to Send where we are moored at the moment, outside the New Inn. Small but beautiful!  We saw a reuin near Newark and some stunning countryside, the Wey is gorgeous.
The Papercourt lock, so very prety, quite fancy being a length's person now!

I have just been told that I promised our guests that I would have a drink with them!  I do not remember this, I am sure they are making it up!  I sent the boss over to talk to me as I am already in the pub!  I have to be back at work in half an hour too!  They are seriously making up stories!  Crazy but lovely ladies.  THey shall be tottering over soon so should go.  Oh but classic the other night, listening to them at dinner "did you know, that women at now allowed into pubs" !!!  Brilliant.

We head off in the morning toward Dapdune Wharf, we shall moor there for the night and then head to Godalming on Friday.

(Have you noticed I am now saying Moored not parked, I am right into the lingo, innit!)

Rxxx

Weyward, Show me the wey, All the wey, Waterwey!

We joined the Wey today Hooray!

I have felt jolly holly all day and loving gloving being back on a canal.
Well, it is the River Wey but they made part of it a canal or something, confusing for my wee brain cell!
It is beautiful, been shiney all day and just feels so lovely, friendly and I love being so close to the edge again!  Whwen I look out the kitchen window I can see stuff again!  On the Thames everything is too far away!
I really thought I would love the Thames and whilst it was great seeing places I know and love, it was such a different feeling and feel far more comfy and content now I am back on a canal!  Funny huh!

We are moored up in Pyrford, right outside the Anchor pub!  Even better, the bosses wife has come to visit and is helping with service tonight, so I can go for a pint later, woohooodoooodeeedooo!

Righty ho bo, I need to get back to work and cook these lovely ladies some dinner!

I have said lovely a lot in this post, hey ho, its a lovely word!

Rxxx

Heneery the 8th I am, Henery the 8th I am lalala

We are moored at Hampton Court Palace!  How very posh!
Had a wander round the rose garden, cafe and coffee shop, who needs more culture than that!

Lovely spot, Molsley in front of us and the palace to our right, big shiney gold gates outside our windows!!
Feels quite different, much more lively, looking forward to proper London in a couple of week!

Super Winder Miller here today, we are bobbling around all over le shope.  Steering was interesting today as was locking, I think we have weight on our side though.  A guy in a plastic white boat started talking to me earlier and said he spun in a lock today!  So he was giving up and going home!

We leave Hampton Court in the morning and head back toward Weybridge, grab onto the River Wey and go to Pyrford.  Looking forward to having an early finish so Kat and I can gor for pintage!

Gonna try for the millionth time to upload my piccies.
Over and out
R xxx

Shine that Chefs Hat Halo

I have been told tonight that my roast potatoes were better than in a restaurant and that it was the best crumble one of the guests had ever had!!  Breathing on knuckles and shining them on my apron!  I even made it all Dairy free for one of the guests.
Very chuffed.

In Weybridge, a lovely spot outside Weybridge Mariners Club.  Bit chilly for sitting outside, lovely and sunny today bit chilly wind.  Did try eat dinner on the roof as is tradition, but goosebumps joined me, as did 3 ducks!  Gave up and had my crumble in bed! mmmm.  Crumble rocks and I would happily have no other sweet thing if I could just eat crumble and custard!

Looking forward to driving to Hampton Court tomorrow.

Highlight of the day:  Being asked if I have had Cordon Bleu Training!
  
Sleepy pops
Rxxx

Swans, Planes and Castles

Well I have had a lovely night off in Windsor.  I have a wander down to Bath's Island and into town, had a wander around the shops and bought a hat!! I know!  I bloody hat. I can't wear hats.  Practicality overruled on this one and I got one for boat steering as the glare is making my furrowed brow hurt!  UNbeleiveable that I found one that fits the Rosie gigantic head!

I then went for a drink, a sit by the castle people watching ad earwiggin, fab fun!  Then went for dinner at Carluccios, yummy Gnocchi.

I am now back in my cabin, feeling rested and looking forward to meeting our new guests.  Last lot before week off!

Should be a good week, new surroundings and and some fun things to see.
We are off tomorrow, Weybridge bound, on Tuesday we shall be heading to Hampton Court, spending the afternoon there, then heading back toward Weybridge on Tuesday to join the Wey.  I forget where we stay then, but heading to Wisley and Guildford for Thursday.  Godalming on Friday then off for my week of catching up with my lovelies for the week!

I found it interesting today, how you can feel like a tourist in places you are really familiar with!  It's a great feeling and allows you to see parts of places you never would normally in every day life.

Nature is a beautiful thing and I feel blessed to be so close to it.  The flapping of swans taking off is prolific here and a great sight, how do they do it!!  So clever.  Around the K&A we saw areas where the telegraph line had dangly shiney objects on them and is apparently to to stop the swans flying into them.  Clever.  Right I am rambling now!

Rxxx

Queenie

Well the Queen didn't turn up for her Tea and Welsh cakes this afternoon, how rude!
I shall invite myself for Tea at her house instead, bout 3 o'clock ok with you Lizzy?

Rxxx

We're all going on a summer holiday lalaltralala!

Well not quite, Autumn really.
Have had a few down days, not sure why, just been a bit low.
I guess I couldn't be in a better place with it though, waking up this morning to a beautiful blue sky covered in vapour trails on the edge of Henley on Thames.  Gorgeous.

I have decided to save up all my tips and put them into a Rosie holibob fund!  I shall go away somewhere at the end of the season, a treat to myself and as a thank you to all the lovely passengers who have generously tipped.
So, the fun bit, deciding where to go!!

So far on my list:

New York
Croatia
Italy (perhaps a bit coupley)
An African adventure, combine a trip back to Kenya with another African country, perhaps Namibia.

Post your votes!!!

R xxx

Bollywood Darrling

Unfortunately I didn't meet the criteria , a 3-4 asian child needed for a movie being filmed in Henley today!
We moored just where the whole crew were all parked with their big trucks and porta cabins, was kinda cool.

It is rainy and mis today, much like me really.  Low days are hard in a place where I am so happy, but they are part of parcel of all situations.  Nothing some sleep, a hot bath, a glass of wine in a real wine glass and a big cuddle wouldn't fix I am sure!  Week off in a week and a half, yey!
I am all sorted to see my favourite people, a whole week of my lovlies and chillouting!

I wish someone would buy my car, Grrrr.  I want it gone.  Perhaps if I fill the car with cake, it may be more appealing!  Or I could ice the whole thing in buttercream! Like on that advert, Honda?

Blimey Coots are fiesty things.
Wildlife highlight of the day:  Seeing Coots fighting, They were really going for it, they get up on their feet in the water and basically thrust their chests at each other, bit like cock fighting!
Food Highlight of the day:  Being asked my the recipe for my apple crumble cakes by a passenger, as I made it up.  There were no left overs, so that's always a good sign!

I seemed to have given myself a slightly easier menu today, thankfully!  So I am having a resty pops!
Today's menu:  Sticky Oaty biscuits, Nicoise Salad and Focaccia, Apple Crumble cakes, Tomato and Stilton stuffed red peppers, Sausage casserole and Marmalade and Croissiant Bread and Butter Pudding.
(Don't ask me about my random capitalisation!)

Rxxx

Diesel Dog

This Blog is dedicated to Nancy the Diesel Dog, who we met today in Reading at the boat yard.
Guarding is her job cuddling and sausage begging is her game!

Soooooooooooo many baby creatures!
Today we saw 3 families of Canada Geese, all in a line, the mum the Dad, the babies, the mum the Dad, the babies, etc, all single file!  Awesome sight.  Canada Geese are super orderly and organised, unlike duck families who flail all over the shop!

I have a big Owie :(  Another bruise to add to my collection.  A hurty green one on my leg, from slipping on the roof today.  Spud!

Nutjob moment of the day:  One of my guests coming up to me just up the path from the boat, and saying ooh hello dear are you from around here, I am from Yorkshire and am on holiday on a boat, called the Tranquil Rose!!  I was very tempted to say oh thats nice and trundle on my way to escape a half hour conversation on my hour off, instead I explained who I was and stood their smiling whilst she rambled on about my clothes!!

Nancy Diesel dog was the highlight of my day!

I am shattered, 14 hours on yesterday.  We are fully booked this week, so busy busy.

We are in Sonning tonight, then off to Temple Island tomorrow, Cookham on Thursday and into Windsor on Friday!  Very odd sitting her on my boat, thinking I lived just down the road 5 minutes for 6 years!

Right back to it!
Over and out
Rxxx

Cooties

A baby Coot is called a Cootie!!
Is the American term Cooties, related???

Rxxx

Yeeee Haaaaaa!

Have been doing more practise of my lasooing today.  Not as good as on Friday!
I missed twice today, but when I did nail it I had to let out a little Yee Haa!  Not sure the lock keepers would appreciate my cowboy references to lock husbandry!  Although have come across some really lovely ones so far.  In around Oxford, Rich of Osney, lovely guy and awesome beard!  Ian of Iffley and of course Larry lockeeper who's lock we are currently moored at!  Thanks Lazza, shall sort you out a bacon sarnie in the mornin!!

I am listening to some music sent to me by a friend, really enjoying it and reminding me of special moments.
How great to have post too, thanks big sis for being my post mistress!

We are currently moored at Clifton, we spent the weekend in Oxford, we left this morning and are heading to Wallingford tomorrow, back through Reading and then to Henley, Marlow and not sure where on Wed/Thus, shall keep you updated!  Will be great to see my old haunts from the River!

Smile moment of the day:  Counting my tips and my boss coming in and saying how I deserved them.  How lovely to get a compliment.
Achievement of the day:  Driving the boat all by myself, no one on deck atall, for at least 10 minutes!!!
Wildlife moment of the day:  Several Geese families all bundled up together on the River bank, big piles of goslingy fluff.
Random moment of the day:  Passing a guy in an inflatable canoe thingy and he being the guy who's house we moored outside of in Newbury!!  Sorry we didn't recognise you James!!

Still haven't worked out the name for a baby coot.  Must be more interesting than a chick surely!

Have to get back to work in a mo, don't get lock evenings off anymore, so back to it, whoooopaaa!

Ooh very excited that people are reading about Rosie, from the US, Australia and Germany!
Follow me people, 3 is quite frankly poor at best!

Take Care
R xxx

Thames Gems

Here we are on a River and the Thames it be.
We left our home for the last month of the Kennet and Avon to lurch ourselves into river life for a bit.  We left Newbury on Monday, travelled to Aldermaston, then onto Pangbourne, Shillingford last night and we are now in Abingdon.  Pretty little place, I had a break from my kitchen duties and went and sat in the Abbey gardens, reading my fabulous book.  Lovely.

Travelling through Reading was great, seeing it from the water was odd but very cool.  For anyone that knows that part of the K&A, OMG!!!  It is mental!  The boat took a right old beating that day!  On the approach to the town centre there is a large bridge, going round a tight corner and a lock at the end of the corner!  Quite impossible to manoeuvre a 70ft steel beast around I tell you! (Or more accurately he boss would!)  I nearly got bumped into the drink several times, trying to keep control with the rope, failing badly! Our bedroom looked like it had exploded and them been sat on by a giant!
 Then you have a lock and some traffic lights to get into town, then this mental lock which was like the Crystal Maze!!  Reading, you sure did make certain that Tuesday was not dull!  We tiredly limped to Pangbourne Meadows and parked up with a load of Gin palaces.  I was not jealous of the people having cocktails on there boat roof terrace at all as I slogged up the path to find a mooring at half 7 with 2 more hours of work left!!

The bird life on the Thames is certainly more prolific, Herons, Great Crested Grebes, lots of Red Kites (not on the water clearly!), many varieties of duck and goose, not all of which I know.  I know one!!
Babies babies everywhere.  I have seen in the last couple of days, Coot babies, Moorhen babies, Canada Geese babies, Mallard babies, Another type of goose babies and Swan babies!
If a baby swan is a cygnet, what is a baby Coot???  Hmmmm, wonderingment of the day.

Off to Oxford tomorrow yey!

Smile moment of the day:  My guests telling me how lovely my food is.
Foody moment of the day:  Successfully making Millionaire shortbread with my own caramel and pork pies for lunch!
Achievement of yesterday:  Successfully managing to steer the boat, no crashing, no angry boaters, no bird injuries!  Even went under a bridge! Weeeeeeee.
Thing to remember of the day:  Keep Green Bouys to the right and Red to the left when going upstream!!!  Do not forget or get this confused Rosieness!

Back to my kitchen, for smoked salmon soufflee, chicken and coconut casserole and lemon trifle!

Rxxx