Change over today. Always sad to say goodbye, but I am loving this tipping milarki! Bloody brilliant! Everyone is so generous. So I am hopeful I really will have managed to save money by the end of the season!
New people seem nice, but much more understated than we have been used, to hope they perk up! Need to hear more laughter!
Achievement of yesterday: I ate in a restaurant all by myself for the first time ever! it was odd and scarey but was great. I read my book with a couple of glasses o vino and a nice spicy pizza! Go me!
Unhighight of the day: Biting my tongue so hard that is bled.
Highlight of the day: A duck coming up to the kitchen window and sticking his head in!! For pure cheek value, I gave him some toast!
Giggle moment of the day: Bottle of HP sauce throwing itself out of a basket on to the dining table, hitting the end of the spoon in the sugar bowl, caterpaulting brown sugar from one end of the table to the other, quite stunning!!
Leaving Bath in the morning, heading back the way we came, though Dundas and the amazing aqueduct and to Bradford on Avon.
I stocked up today on my little bedside stash, bottle of red, 4 beers, 2 packets of kettle chips, a packet of cashews and a packet of polos!! Sorted for the boonie stretch!
Nighty night
R xx
Saturday 30 April 2011
Friday 29 April 2011
Aquamazing
The person who came up with the idea of aqueducts is a god!
We moored last night at Dundas, on the top of an aquaduct, incredible! The very concept still amazes me, water up high, thats just crazy!! Odd place though, tried to find a pub last night and ended up coming back to the safety of the boat after scaring the bejeesus out of ourselves in what seemed like the set of an 80's American horror movie!
We arrived in Bath today, here for the weekend and I have the afternoon/evening off! Yippeee! I am shattered, been chilling for a bit and now needing a pint so off for a wander. I have dried out my wine stash, so need top ups, keeping a bottle of wine and several bars of dark chocolate on the shelf above my bed, does make me look like I have issues!! Ah well, issues smissues!
HIghlight of the day: yesterday's was hands down going over two aqueducts and seeing the canal, road and railway below.
Been a quiet day today, so not much to report. Last night of passengers and newbies tomorrow. Each week it's that little tingle of anticipation and hoping they are lovely!
R xx
P.s my feet are freezing, the boss soaked the floor of our bedroom in a lock and carpet is on roof drying, brrrr!!
We moored last night at Dundas, on the top of an aquaduct, incredible! The very concept still amazes me, water up high, thats just crazy!! Odd place though, tried to find a pub last night and ended up coming back to the safety of the boat after scaring the bejeesus out of ourselves in what seemed like the set of an 80's American horror movie!
We arrived in Bath today, here for the weekend and I have the afternoon/evening off! Yippeee! I am shattered, been chilling for a bit and now needing a pint so off for a wander. I have dried out my wine stash, so need top ups, keeping a bottle of wine and several bars of dark chocolate on the shelf above my bed, does make me look like I have issues!! Ah well, issues smissues!
HIghlight of the day: yesterday's was hands down going over two aqueducts and seeing the canal, road and railway below.
Been a quiet day today, so not much to report. Last night of passengers and newbies tomorrow. Each week it's that little tingle of anticipation and hoping they are lovely!
R xx
P.s my feet are freezing, the boss soaked the floor of our bedroom in a lock and carpet is on roof drying, brrrr!!
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Caen Hill Thrills
Caen Hill Flight, done!!
What a day, our first trip up the Caen hill flight. We were supposed to be doing it last week, but it was unfortunately closed, but I walked down to see it and was so excited to do it for real. For those not familiar, it is a succession of 29 locks! 16 of them one after the other, the rest are slightly further spread. We did the first 6 last night, so were right at the top of the flight for first thing this morning, we saw someone remove the padlocks at about ten to eight this morning and off we went. 2 hours later we were at the bottom of the flight! What a team!! Thanks to the lovely passenger from last week, who came to help. It was incredible, so much fun and seeing back up to where we had been was fabulous. Took lots of great photos, but have got the wrong cable to upload, doh!!
I haven't had any signal since Newbury at the weekend, so very much missing Rosie's Dream! Will have to amalgamate my hi lights since last post!
Wildlife highlight: I saw a kingfisher!!! Nothing more to be said, incredible. (oh hold on there is more to say, I was so excited about the kingfisher sighting, that I ran at full pelt to tell everyone and cracked my head on the door hatch, jesus lordy above it hurt! it took away the excitement, luckily it was on the top of my head so no concussion!! But I did feel odd, yes yes, more than usual!!)
2nd Wildlife highlight: Rescuing a baby blue tit from the canal. The poor blighter fell in from the tree above, I fished him out, I popped him down in a sunny spot, I really hope he survived, but there was little I could do, still thinking of you bub.
Today was definitely my highlight of the week, it was incredible!
Our guests this week are lovely and they just joined my in the public housen for a drinkie, which was lovely.
Much to my delight, after 26 locks we moored very close to a pub! So here I am, drinking Wadworth ale with Wifi!! In my element. Having a great evening off, but feel for poor Kat, serving dinner, gonna bring her here for a pint later!
Sure I have missed some good stuff, but 4 days seems ages! I am constantly having wow moments, admittedly I am easily pleased, but still!
Off back to the ranch in the hope of there being leftover Cauliflower cheese!
R xxx
What a day, our first trip up the Caen hill flight. We were supposed to be doing it last week, but it was unfortunately closed, but I walked down to see it and was so excited to do it for real. For those not familiar, it is a succession of 29 locks! 16 of them one after the other, the rest are slightly further spread. We did the first 6 last night, so were right at the top of the flight for first thing this morning, we saw someone remove the padlocks at about ten to eight this morning and off we went. 2 hours later we were at the bottom of the flight! What a team!! Thanks to the lovely passenger from last week, who came to help. It was incredible, so much fun and seeing back up to where we had been was fabulous. Took lots of great photos, but have got the wrong cable to upload, doh!!
I haven't had any signal since Newbury at the weekend, so very much missing Rosie's Dream! Will have to amalgamate my hi lights since last post!
Wildlife highlight: I saw a kingfisher!!! Nothing more to be said, incredible. (oh hold on there is more to say, I was so excited about the kingfisher sighting, that I ran at full pelt to tell everyone and cracked my head on the door hatch, jesus lordy above it hurt! it took away the excitement, luckily it was on the top of my head so no concussion!! But I did feel odd, yes yes, more than usual!!)
2nd Wildlife highlight: Rescuing a baby blue tit from the canal. The poor blighter fell in from the tree above, I fished him out, I popped him down in a sunny spot, I really hope he survived, but there was little I could do, still thinking of you bub.
Today was definitely my highlight of the week, it was incredible!
Our guests this week are lovely and they just joined my in the public housen for a drinkie, which was lovely.
Much to my delight, after 26 locks we moored very close to a pub! So here I am, drinking Wadworth ale with Wifi!! In my element. Having a great evening off, but feel for poor Kat, serving dinner, gonna bring her here for a pint later!
Sure I have missed some good stuff, but 4 days seems ages! I am constantly having wow moments, admittedly I am easily pleased, but still!
Off back to the ranch in the hope of there being leftover Cauliflower cheese!
R xxx
Saturday 23 April 2011
offski off
I had an evening off, woo hoo!
How exciting, my first time off in 2 weeks. I had a mostly lovely time, my gorgeous sister came to see me and we went for a drink and some dinner in Newbury, where we are moored at the mo. Very pleasant, now back in my bat cave, everyone seems to think I am hammered cos I left the boat! Actually very restrained as have to start work at 7 tomorrow!
Not much to tell today, we said farewell to our passengers which was sad as they were so lovely, but we have new ones now, so a new set of names to remember! Kitchen duty tomorrow and Easter Sunday, so nice eastery stuff to make! Get that marzipan out!!
Highlight of the day: guests telling us what a wonderful time they had and giving us a thank you card!
Newbury is a funny place
Rxxx.
How exciting, my first time off in 2 weeks. I had a mostly lovely time, my gorgeous sister came to see me and we went for a drink and some dinner in Newbury, where we are moored at the mo. Very pleasant, now back in my bat cave, everyone seems to think I am hammered cos I left the boat! Actually very restrained as have to start work at 7 tomorrow!
Not much to tell today, we said farewell to our passengers which was sad as they were so lovely, but we have new ones now, so a new set of names to remember! Kitchen duty tomorrow and Easter Sunday, so nice eastery stuff to make! Get that marzipan out!!
Highlight of the day: guests telling us what a wonderful time they had and giving us a thank you card!
Newbury is a funny place
Rxxx.
Thursday 21 April 2011
I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike, la la la la.
Rosie est pooped!
It was a scorcher today and lots of rushing in between locks makes Rosie a wacked out little canal monkey.
Achievement of the day: I rode a bike! I actually thought I couldn't, but gave it a go to relieve some of the walking in baking heat and it was fab! So I found out I can actually ride a bike. It was so much fun and definitely the way forward!! Yey me!
Wildlife moment of the day: Seeing a girly duck with 28 babies!
Runner up wildlife moment: A field full of swans and two on the canal carrying out the mating rituals, it looked like something from swan lake!
I have just forced myself to eat half a sandwich, now having a cup of tea and some dark choc in bed. Sleepy time very soon!!
Nighty night
R xx
It was a scorcher today and lots of rushing in between locks makes Rosie a wacked out little canal monkey.
Achievement of the day: I rode a bike! I actually thought I couldn't, but gave it a go to relieve some of the walking in baking heat and it was fab! So I found out I can actually ride a bike. It was so much fun and definitely the way forward!! Yey me!
Wildlife moment of the day: Seeing a girly duck with 28 babies!
Runner up wildlife moment: A field full of swans and two on the canal carrying out the mating rituals, it looked like something from swan lake!
I have just forced myself to eat half a sandwich, now having a cup of tea and some dark choc in bed. Sleepy time very soon!!
Nighty night
R xx
Wednesday 20 April 2011
Cook a doodle do
A very busy pops day in tut kitchen (Galley, not good at this nautical speak!).
Today I have made: Macadamia nut biscuits, Spanish tortilla with sour cream and guacamole, Carrot cake, Smoked salmon with potato and olive salad, Pork schnitzel with dauphinoise potatoes and roasted veg and finally Fig strudel with berry ice cream! Phewf! All seemed to be well received, so happy bunny!
Highlight of the day: Being chatted up in the funniest way through the kitchen window, having a nice confidence booster! :)
Wildlife highlight of the day: Hearing my first cookoo of the spring!
We are in Newbury tonight, much busier and noisier than we are used to, it's funny how you get used to only being able to hear coots and owls and the odd splashy fish! But the folk of Newbury do seem nice, the lovely guy who's house we are parked (moored!) outside of, very kindly let me use his wireless tinterweb! yey!
Want more followers!
Thanks to the lovely tinterweb guy and the canal side chatter upper man for making me smile!
Sleep tight
Rxxx
Today I have made: Macadamia nut biscuits, Spanish tortilla with sour cream and guacamole, Carrot cake, Smoked salmon with potato and olive salad, Pork schnitzel with dauphinoise potatoes and roasted veg and finally Fig strudel with berry ice cream! Phewf! All seemed to be well received, so happy bunny!
Highlight of the day: Being chatted up in the funniest way through the kitchen window, having a nice confidence booster! :)
Wildlife highlight of the day: Hearing my first cookoo of the spring!
We are in Newbury tonight, much busier and noisier than we are used to, it's funny how you get used to only being able to hear coots and owls and the odd splashy fish! But the folk of Newbury do seem nice, the lovely guy who's house we are parked (moored!) outside of, very kindly let me use his wireless tinterweb! yey!
Want more followers!
Thanks to the lovely tinterweb guy and the canal side chatter upper man for making me smile!
Sleep tight
Rxxx
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Hotter than the Sun
What a stunning day in rosie's world today. The weather just incredible and it was my first day solo on the locks. Well I say solo, I had helpers as a couple of the passengers got involved, which was great fun and a great help as we ahd 19 locks today! The skies were blue and the sun was beating down on me, so my mile walks were a joy and there were so many friendly folk out today, lots of chat with randoms!!
I have put an order in with the boss to find some sexy men for me to look at, but so far no joy! I did make a friend this afternoon, but well bless him, not quite what I had in mind!
I have had a bit of a gap in the blogging, as we had a couple of manic days getting ready for the guests, then in boonieville again, no tintleweb! So, we were in Devizes until Sunday, we picked up our passengers on Sat afternoon, kind of odd having strangers coming onto the home we had created for ourselves, but to be fair, without paying passengers there would be no home, so we welcomed them and are being nice!! They are all lovely and not too demanding! We set off on Sunday and moored overnight on Honey Street, a lovely spot, middle of no where, but is the trend! Apparently famous for croup circles, but failed to go out on the hunt in the middle of the night for crop circlers!
Last night we moored in Croften, which has the last pump house on the Canal!
Oooh the interesting canal facts! the nights sky was just incredible last night, I went to watch the stars and there were oh so clear, I saw a satellite and a shooting star! I was ooh ing and aahing to myself! Gorgeous. Yesterday was general a lovely one, looking out of the kitchen window watching squirrels keeping up with the boat along the bank and having a tea break in a field full of baby lambs!
We had a busy day today and have now moored in Hungerford, it is nice to be in a town and have some signal to write my ramblings, however I feel a bit odd being in a town, there are people and lights and stuff!
I (well me and the lovely Kat) have been having our dinner out on the roof of the boat, which just feel wonderful! The last two nights I have found a little Rosie bench by the boat to have my dinner (leftovers!) but tonight we sat at the stern on the roof, with the swans waiting eagerly for theirs! Garlic bread leftover, gotta be kidding!
Battery running out and no power, see you soon lovlies!
Rxxx
I have put an order in with the boss to find some sexy men for me to look at, but so far no joy! I did make a friend this afternoon, but well bless him, not quite what I had in mind!
I have had a bit of a gap in the blogging, as we had a couple of manic days getting ready for the guests, then in boonieville again, no tintleweb! So, we were in Devizes until Sunday, we picked up our passengers on Sat afternoon, kind of odd having strangers coming onto the home we had created for ourselves, but to be fair, without paying passengers there would be no home, so we welcomed them and are being nice!! They are all lovely and not too demanding! We set off on Sunday and moored overnight on Honey Street, a lovely spot, middle of no where, but is the trend! Apparently famous for croup circles, but failed to go out on the hunt in the middle of the night for crop circlers!
Last night we moored in Croften, which has the last pump house on the Canal!
Oooh the interesting canal facts! the nights sky was just incredible last night, I went to watch the stars and there were oh so clear, I saw a satellite and a shooting star! I was ooh ing and aahing to myself! Gorgeous. Yesterday was general a lovely one, looking out of the kitchen window watching squirrels keeping up with the boat along the bank and having a tea break in a field full of baby lambs!
We had a busy day today and have now moored in Hungerford, it is nice to be in a town and have some signal to write my ramblings, however I feel a bit odd being in a town, there are people and lights and stuff!
I (well me and the lovely Kat) have been having our dinner out on the roof of the boat, which just feel wonderful! The last two nights I have found a little Rosie bench by the boat to have my dinner (leftovers!) but tonight we sat at the stern on the roof, with the swans waiting eagerly for theirs! Garlic bread leftover, gotta be kidding!
Battery running out and no power, see you soon lovlies!
Rxxx
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Driving Miss Rosie
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Brrrrrrrr. Super chilly today, freezing my bits off this morning, all that canal windyness makes Rosie a chilly sole.
I have a very brave boss, who let me behind the wheel today, well I say wheel, I mean Tiller, but you know what I mean, I got to drive wooooo! I was pants! I was trying to drive it like a car, for info for any budding boaters, that doesn't work!! You will end up steering into trees or forcing an angry butch narrow boater to be grounded, not that I would know about either of those senarios! TR is a beast to manoeuvre along a narrow stretch of water, but great fun. Oh the power, of controlling 70 foot of beastiness!
A quiet day today, no locks and pootled along to Devizes, where are at the mo in the rain.
I have stocked up with gloves, hat and long socks so hope to less brass monkeyish in tut morning.
Shower, Shepards Pie, Pub!
xx
I have a very brave boss, who let me behind the wheel today, well I say wheel, I mean Tiller, but you know what I mean, I got to drive wooooo! I was pants! I was trying to drive it like a car, for info for any budding boaters, that doesn't work!! You will end up steering into trees or forcing an angry butch narrow boater to be grounded, not that I would know about either of those senarios! TR is a beast to manoeuvre along a narrow stretch of water, but great fun. Oh the power, of controlling 70 foot of beastiness!
A quiet day today, no locks and pootled along to Devizes, where are at the mo in the rain.
I have stocked up with gloves, hat and long socks so hope to less brass monkeyish in tut morning.
Shower, Shepards Pie, Pub!
xx
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Day 2 of life on the waterways
Well...... I am finally back in contact with the world after being completely in the Boonies since leaving Newbury on Sunday. Gutted not to have been able to share the delights of my first day yesterday. It was mental!
I started the day not having the foggiest about locks, in fact if someone just planted me in front of one on my own, I would have sat down, cried, turned round and sat in the pub, in fact lived there as I never would have been able to escape Newbury Wharf!
Luckily I have the wonderful Kat who has been super patient as my lock teacher. So after 12 hours on the job, at least 10 miles of walking and 20 locks I now feel that I wouldn't have to live in a pub, hmmm perhaps not such a great skill to have learnt afterall! ;)
A great first day on the move and learned so much. We overnighted in Great Bedwyn last night, serious Booniesville. A stunning view to wake up to, can't beat seeing clear blue skies and fields from your bed in the morning, ooh and the train station, well some might find that just as beautiful, we don't speak to 'those' people!
Day two was less manic and we continued down the Kennet and Avon, passing through Wooten Rivers and I am now tucked up in bed in Pewsey, well just outside and not in the middle of Pewsey as it would be cold and would probably be accosted by those less fortunate if I have a bed in the middle of a town and would wake up with 10 extra people in bed with me along with their dog and bottle of 20/20.
Another gorgeous day, if not slightly chillier, A fun trip through the Bruce Tunnel, ooooh tunnel, and some very sneaky stiff locks to challenge my achey shoulders!
I noticed today how lovely people are on the canals, everyone is so friendly and chat to everyone, even me!
We are heading Devizes way tomorrow, fingers crossed for more sun!
Sleepy
Nighty Night x
I started the day not having the foggiest about locks, in fact if someone just planted me in front of one on my own, I would have sat down, cried, turned round and sat in the pub, in fact lived there as I never would have been able to escape Newbury Wharf!
Luckily I have the wonderful Kat who has been super patient as my lock teacher. So after 12 hours on the job, at least 10 miles of walking and 20 locks I now feel that I wouldn't have to live in a pub, hmmm perhaps not such a great skill to have learnt afterall! ;)
A great first day on the move and learned so much. We overnighted in Great Bedwyn last night, serious Booniesville. A stunning view to wake up to, can't beat seeing clear blue skies and fields from your bed in the morning, ooh and the train station, well some might find that just as beautiful, we don't speak to 'those' people!
Day two was less manic and we continued down the Kennet and Avon, passing through Wooten Rivers and I am now tucked up in bed in Pewsey, well just outside and not in the middle of Pewsey as it would be cold and would probably be accosted by those less fortunate if I have a bed in the middle of a town and would wake up with 10 extra people in bed with me along with their dog and bottle of 20/20.
Another gorgeous day, if not slightly chillier, A fun trip through the Bruce Tunnel, ooooh tunnel, and some very sneaky stiff locks to challenge my achey shoulders!
I noticed today how lovely people are on the canals, everyone is so friendly and chat to everyone, even me!
We are heading Devizes way tomorrow, fingers crossed for more sun!
Sleepy
Nighty Night x
Sunday 10 April 2011
1st day of the adventure
I am just about to set off on a 6 month adventure on the canals and rivers of England, as crew of the Tranquil Rose.
Excited doesn't cover it and neither does nervous! A big bundle of emotion and my bursting bag will soon be on the water and I can't wait. Shall see you on the other side, bobbing along in my little cabin! x
Excited doesn't cover it and neither does nervous! A big bundle of emotion and my bursting bag will soon be on the water and I can't wait. Shall see you on the other side, bobbing along in my little cabin! x
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