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

Sadness

As the sadness comes and the tears follow, it occurs to me that with all happiness comes some sadness and perhaps happiness alone is a life unfulfilled.
To have someone taken away, one of the good ones, the great ones, seems unfair, but we mustn't be selfish and should share the spirit of the special ones and relieve their pain.

Thinking of all those suffering the pain of loss today.

Rxx

Flying time

4 weeks ago today I started my big adventure, here we are again in Newbury Marina where it all started!  

Can't believe this has been my life for a just about a month, it really has flown.

I haven't long finished work and am completely shattered.  So no long ramblings tonight, just wanted to pop in.

We are heading to Aldermaston tomorrow, through Reading on Tuesday and slipping onto the Thames!  Lassoing lessons commence!

Night Night all.

P.s ran into an old friend yesterday in Hungerford, nice to see a familiar face, good to catch up after 4 years.  So much has happened in that time, for us both!  Great to see you Carrie.

P.Ps.  I decided that each week on my night off, I would go and have dinner.  A good hot meal, break away from work and time to chill.  Last night, I failed, I was too tired and not that hungry, so got a pot of Houmous, a bag of Tyrells, a bottle of red and sat in bed with my book!  Rock and a rolla!

Rxxx

Breasting

How enjoyable breasting up against Rebecca was last night.  Everyone does need one for a pillow after all!

Our breasting fun was in Great Bedwyn, we now know so well.  4th time of sleeping in the sleepy village.

We are now parked up in Hungerford and ready to deposit our guests tomorrow, very ready!

What an interesting week it has been.  Hmm interesting, very ambiguous.  I felt the best way to to describe them and the week we have had would be in a poem, I can't write poetry!  Perhaps if I find my self pint in hand tomorrow afternoon I shall give it a go!

I normally feel a pang on Fridays as I have say goodbye to the lovely folk, but this week it feels more of a relief, I am determined to refill the boat with positive energies and get our spirits back up again.

Wildlife spot of yesterday:  seeing a munk jack deer at the side of the canal, then sprinting into the aligning woodland.

Food of the day:  pork and leek terrine, makerel fillets with roasted veg and lemon mousse!  I even over heard a, that was nice comment!  I preserved it in vinegar and will send it back to them!

Smiles moment of the day:  Looking up and seeing a black lab half in the kitchen window drooling all over the surfaces, inches away from the mackerel fillets!  The poor owner, she was mortified!

Acheivement of yesterday:  At the top of the Crofton flight, the top gate was so very indeed stiff, I was there for about 5 minutes, with no movement, no nuffink not a whisper.  I ended up just leaning away from it, holding on, looking helpless, eventually I got it and it moved, just as the man on the boat waiting for us, started running over to help.  Bless him, he then said you deserve a pay rise for that!!  i did it though, me and my bicep!!

I love how people keep saying, wow what an amazing job.  It is a great feeling to have something other people are envious of and fascinated by.  Even on more difficult days, it makes me see, yes it really is wonderful!  I can take 5 minutes, sit on the roof with a cuppa, feed the baby ducks and all those issues just float away with all the other scum floating about on the canal.  By that I mean debris and pop, not actual people!  Everyone is so nice and friendly, I often get held up by chatting to people for ages.  There are of course excepetions, but I can't even remember any, most people are lovely and will do anything for you.  It is like it's own community on the waterways.  

Looking forward to my evening off tomorrow, no plans, just need some chill out.

Lotsa watery love

Rxxx

Caen Hill Part Deux

Completed!
We left our spot just outside Seend this morning, early doors.  Started locking at just before 8 and finished at about half one.  Still fun doing Caen hill but as much as the first time.  Beautiful sunny day though and still as amazing to look at the second time around!
I am crackered!  Just had a lunch stop in Devizes and now we are heading off to Honey street, so another 3 hours, but no locks.  I am ready to sleep, bring on 6 oclock!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rxx

Annabelle

Thanks to the lovely soldier boys who let me gategrash their Stag evening on Sunday.  I had a blast.
We got chatting to them at Bradford-on-Avon whilst waiting to get through the very busy lock and then I bumped into them in tut pub later on.  They very generously baught me drinks and put up with my dirty mind and potty mouth!  I had such a giggle and haven't laughed that much in ages, I was in pain through laughter by the time I put my sensible hat on and headed home just before 11.
Was hoping to bump into them again yesterday but I did see the Father of the bride just now in Devizes!

Annabelle is now my alias, it was decided that being a hobo I must be on the run so should come up with different cover stories for each place I visit and each time someone new has to come up with it for me, so my version of Dave Gorman's goodle wack adventure!  Rosies Canal wack adventure!

I was also decided that I must be in some kind of Sweeny Todd story, the day in the kitchen the next day, just didn't feel the same!

Thanks guys
R xxx