Monday 31 October 2011

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!

Wednesday 12 October 2011

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.