Well here we are again. Sitting with my bags packed and ready to leave dry land for another season on the lovely Tranquil Rose.
I was sure I would only feel excitement this time around as it is like my second home now, familiar and have proved to myself I could do it. For some reason this isn't so, I feel really nervous and a little anxious. I have packed and repacked many times and sit here with wriggling butterflies in my hungover tummy.
It has been a hard winter and I am glad to move on and back to being where I can be happy. In a couple of hours I will back on water and that makes me smile. Back to hard work and can't wait to get my teeth into something again after a fairly floaty 6 months, my winter of discontent as a very good friend calls it.
Anyway .... start of another chapter today. Days of windlass carrying and cake making are back in Rosie's life, hurrah to that!
I am off to Newbury where the boat is and has been over the winter and we head off tomorrow, bound for Bradford on Avon where we hope to be by Thursday. We get our new passengers a week today so a busy week of boating and getting the boat ready and looking like a hotel again!
I shall keep you posted with my movements again (err not those kind, my locations!) and would lovely to see you if you are passing or if I am close to me, give me a shout!
Right, to the boat I go!
See you on the water!
Rxxx
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Visa take me away, to a land down under, lalalala (not quite, but close enough)
Oh yes, visa, that is a visa! My passport is now a warm squishy home to a shiny blue and silver working visa for New Zealand! It is not exciting at all and I am very calm about the whole thing. Errm yeah, well whatever....
It is big and scary and bloody exciting. I always wanted to do this, I have wanted to work abroad for many years and something or someone always stopped me. Not anymore. Rosie is off on big adventures and I can't wait to explore. At the moment not much in the way of plans apart from my departure date. Less than 7 months! I have 6 months of work before then to earn my pennies. My windlass and baking hands ready to do that.
My blog will continue of course so you can follow me around the world and look after me, all on my own in a big pot of kiwi fruit.
Night Night
Rxxx
It is big and scary and bloody exciting. I always wanted to do this, I have wanted to work abroad for many years and something or someone always stopped me. Not anymore. Rosie is off on big adventures and I can't wait to explore. At the moment not much in the way of plans apart from my departure date. Less than 7 months! I have 6 months of work before then to earn my pennies. My windlass and baking hands ready to do that.
My blog will continue of course so you can follow me around the world and look after me, all on my own in a big pot of kiwi fruit.
Night Night
Rxxx
Friday, 16 March 2012
the end of one and another begins
In the last year I have discovered a love of reading, it has been a slow start, but in 30 years I literally read 2 books, because school made me, so I don't expect to be a bofin any time soon.
I have in said year read both Audrey Niffenegger's novels. She is wonderful. She is incredible at bringing the characters to life and making you fall for them, hook, line and sinker. She makes quirky story lines seem totally normal and you don't even question it.
I have just finished The Time Travellers wife, it was beautiful and for a non cryer at films, books and plays etc (apart from War Horse but that is in it's own league!) I shed a tear near the end. In an odd way I could empathise with some of it and a lot of the feelings rang true for me. Yes it made a little bit of an impact!
Thanks to the lovely Kat for passing it on to me.
So one end....
Another beginning....
But my story this time, Audreys beautiful story ended as I made a bold move to start my own new chapter. I have applied for a working visa in New Zealand. I have had confirmation of it's receipt and it should be being processed, right now!! EXCITED. This means so much to me, for 14 years I have wanted to do this and now I have the opportunity. I am going to wait until I get my visa before I plan too much and get too excited, soo watch this space...............................
(what a gimp saying!)
Strange week this week, I got home from a wonderful holiday last week, with Tendinitis! So I have spent ever since on crutches, laid up and very bored now! 10 days of nothing and cancelled plans is getting a bit scratchy now. So I plan to be back in action next week.
Only 3 weeks until I go back on the boat!!!! Wooooo.
Take Care
Rxxx
I have in said year read both Audrey Niffenegger's novels. She is wonderful. She is incredible at bringing the characters to life and making you fall for them, hook, line and sinker. She makes quirky story lines seem totally normal and you don't even question it.
I have just finished The Time Travellers wife, it was beautiful and for a non cryer at films, books and plays etc (apart from War Horse but that is in it's own league!) I shed a tear near the end. In an odd way I could empathise with some of it and a lot of the feelings rang true for me. Yes it made a little bit of an impact!
Thanks to the lovely Kat for passing it on to me.
So one end....
Another beginning....
But my story this time, Audreys beautiful story ended as I made a bold move to start my own new chapter. I have applied for a working visa in New Zealand. I have had confirmation of it's receipt and it should be being processed, right now!! EXCITED. This means so much to me, for 14 years I have wanted to do this and now I have the opportunity. I am going to wait until I get my visa before I plan too much and get too excited, soo watch this space...............................
(what a gimp saying!)
Strange week this week, I got home from a wonderful holiday last week, with Tendinitis! So I have spent ever since on crutches, laid up and very bored now! 10 days of nothing and cancelled plans is getting a bit scratchy now. So I plan to be back in action next week.
Only 3 weeks until I go back on the boat!!!! Wooooo.
Take Care
Rxxx
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Maybe not the Littlest Hobo
Well having promised to keep you updated of the next Rosie instalments, I really haven't at all, have I? Nope.
I have been a bit all over the place really, in location as well as in my head, in the head.
Apparently being free is not as easy as it may seem. I had a lovely few weeks living in Plymouth, in a gorgeous 7th floor flat, over looking the Hoe and the sea. Being in a city and by the sea was great and really enjoyed exploring. Alas my loneliness tendencies caught up with me, as did most other things. I got very low and in the end couldn't cope on my own anymore. It's amazing how in such a short period of time you can have such happy moments and some of the most desperate.
I left Plymouth earlier than planned and headed up to stay with my lovely sister. I needed love and cuddles and as my only source of that she let me come share her home. We haven't lived together since I was 12! It is not all roses, but having someone else around helps me and her I hope. I got myself a job at the beginning of December, working as a hotel receptionist. It was great to be able to work and the novelty of being able to work is still there, I enjoyed having a purpose again and something to make myself get up however much I wanted to dissapear into the base of the bed and never come out.
Sadly yet perhaps not that surprising, I got quite run down and last week suffered a bit of a relapse of old health issues, which I hoped were buried away. I returned to work after a couple of days, which only ended up being a tough lesson in not listening to my body.
I heard it loud and clear and decided to quit my job. My body has an amazing ability to tell me when things are wrong (and right), I am just sometimes too stubborn to listen to it and feel that it is failing. Also doing what I feel I should or what is expected by others tends to take over.
So my late New Years resolution is to do what is right for me, not what I fell I should do or what would be expected and accepted by others. Those who are special enough will just accept me for me. I hope!
So here I am, sitting in a messy house in the Cotswolds, with two old dogs, with 2 months to fill.
I return to the boat in April and just cannot wait. Life on dry land and what I call 'normal' life just doesn't fit me, I feel like an imposter. Going to and from the same place each day sends me into a coma like trance. I need travel back in my life.
I have been to the edge and back in the last couple of months, but am now feeling a little positivity that I can make happy again.
Sorry for deep post, just decided there was not much point if I just pretended all was fluffy and pink!
Rxxx
I have been a bit all over the place really, in location as well as in my head, in the head.
Apparently being free is not as easy as it may seem. I had a lovely few weeks living in Plymouth, in a gorgeous 7th floor flat, over looking the Hoe and the sea. Being in a city and by the sea was great and really enjoyed exploring. Alas my loneliness tendencies caught up with me, as did most other things. I got very low and in the end couldn't cope on my own anymore. It's amazing how in such a short period of time you can have such happy moments and some of the most desperate.
I left Plymouth earlier than planned and headed up to stay with my lovely sister. I needed love and cuddles and as my only source of that she let me come share her home. We haven't lived together since I was 12! It is not all roses, but having someone else around helps me and her I hope. I got myself a job at the beginning of December, working as a hotel receptionist. It was great to be able to work and the novelty of being able to work is still there, I enjoyed having a purpose again and something to make myself get up however much I wanted to dissapear into the base of the bed and never come out.
Sadly yet perhaps not that surprising, I got quite run down and last week suffered a bit of a relapse of old health issues, which I hoped were buried away. I returned to work after a couple of days, which only ended up being a tough lesson in not listening to my body.
I heard it loud and clear and decided to quit my job. My body has an amazing ability to tell me when things are wrong (and right), I am just sometimes too stubborn to listen to it and feel that it is failing. Also doing what I feel I should or what is expected by others tends to take over.
So my late New Years resolution is to do what is right for me, not what I fell I should do or what would be expected and accepted by others. Those who are special enough will just accept me for me. I hope!
So here I am, sitting in a messy house in the Cotswolds, with two old dogs, with 2 months to fill.
I return to the boat in April and just cannot wait. Life on dry land and what I call 'normal' life just doesn't fit me, I feel like an imposter. Going to and from the same place each day sends me into a coma like trance. I need travel back in my life.
I have been to the edge and back in the last couple of months, but am now feeling a little positivity that I can make happy again.
Sorry for deep post, just decided there was not much point if I just pretended all was fluffy and pink!
Rxxx
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
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!
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.
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.
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