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