Decided to do something practical today, so went and found a local laundrette to get all the washing done. Have found a great way of limiting how many clothes need washing. Before we came on board, a friend suggested that we put all our clothes in plastic bags to stop them becoming damp. So every day, I pulled out 5 different bags from my low slung cupboard and choose underwear from one, socks from another, trousers from another etc. Very time consuming and not very pleasant in the cold. But I hit on a really practical solution. I put into each bag all the clothes I need for the next three days. So I now only get one bag out and once all the clothes are dirty I put them aside for washing and start on the next bag! Not sure I have converted R to my method but he doesn’t have nearly so many clothes to choose from! So off we go to the laundrette which is run by a delightful and helpful man. Having put my washing into two machines as there is too much for one, I decide there is still a lot of room left so R obligingly takes off his trousers, prepared to sit for the next hour in his longjohns! Helpful man then tells me I could use the one bigger drum if I am not sorting colours and whites (am I ever! I am on a narrowboat – can’t afford to be that fussy!) so am delighted as that is only £1 more than using the smaller machine. Washing on, I set off in hunt of a coffee as I noticed most coffee shops and takeaways are still thankfully allowed to open although you cannot sit in them. The nearest one proved to have delicious coffee and italian pastries. The owner had set up his new burger venture just before lockdown and quickly realised he needed to add takeaway coffee to his menu to stop his business going under. Apparently we have been reliably informed that his burgers are absolutely delicious so we shall not doubt have one before too long.
Catching up on bakeoff in the evening got me to thinking about the kitchen I have left behind and all my lovely electrical appliances which enable me to whip up food fit for bakeoff at the drop of a hat (this I hope you realise is very tongue in cheek!). But seriously, the home comforts of our boat become very meaningful when we have nowhere else to escape too. We can’t even go to the pub and if we want to be connected to media we have to ensure we have charged up our devices ahead of time. The alternative is running the engine which is surprisingly noisy and seems a bit of a waste when you are not able to move the boat at the same time. The saying ‘Be prepared’ comes to mind. We are realising we need to think ahead and be organised for most eventualities. Enough coal and wood to keep us warm; enough water in the tank to keep us clean; gas in the bottle for cooking; diesel for electricity. How much we take for granted in our home life and how easy it is to waste our resources. And we don’t want to amass unnecessary rubbish as we have to find a way to get rid of it! I am not complaining as I am surprising myself at how happy I am living in such a confined space with so few possessions around me. But am not sure I will be quite so gung-ho when the cold weather sets in!
NarrowboatTLC 