Made my own crumpet with peanut butter and banana – somehow doesn’t taste quite the same made without love! (just to say, having become something of a crumpet expert, Morrison’s 6 of the best, ‘new improved recipe’ crumpets, are hard to beat!). Had to remember to clean the ash from the woodburner- another first. I think R has consistently done this every day. Quite a dusty dirty job however hard you try to keep your hands clean! Noticed the rubbish bin is getting full – another task R usually keeps an eye on. We have certainly become used to teamwork, the ‘blue’ and the ‘pink’ jobs. Probably terribly un ‘pc’ for me to say that but it’s as it is, as it always has been and hopefully will go on into the future being. We have always split division of labour and R naturally takes the lead on all the jobs I don’t want to do unless absolutely necessary! Like being alone on the boat and therefore having no choice but to get my hands dirty. Quid pro quo – he gets a reasonably healthy cooked meal most days. I bet he’s home now eating all the verboten foods I try to avoid buying!!
The boat needed topping up with diesel and gas. I find it unnerving not knowing how empty the diesel tank is. Even if we are not moving much, we still use the diesel for the central heating and hot water. At least we have two gas cylinders so we can replace the empty one as and when. Fortunately ‘Dusty’ the diesel boat passed by as I was, unusually for me, cleaning the windows. The wonderful sunny day showed up how filthy the windows had become. Obviously I could only do one side so I hope I remember to complete the job when we are next moored up on opposite towpath! 88litres of diesel and a gas cylinder set me back £108 (red diesel being cheaper than the diesel on the garage forecourt) but I think that’s our last fillup before we leave the boat.
D arrived from London armed with homemade flapjack and soda bread with pecan, cheese and onion. Both were absolutely delicious! The weather was warm and sunny and we had a good walk around Banbury Town centre enjoying the varied architecture, in particular a large 18th century domed church. D, being an architect, appreciated what the town had to offer. In its heyday it must have been quite something. It now has a rather faded elegance in the old part of the town.
H found it easier to sleep in the bed made up in the dinette area rather than on the sofa. She used all the rugs she could find to make her bed extra warm and comfy along with her sleeping bag. Removing her sleeping bag to take home she suggested I continue to keep the dinette area as a ‘snug’ reminding me there were plenty of cushions stored under the sofa to supplement the pillows. I have to say it is rather a cosy space!
After D and H and the hampster returned to London the boat seemed rather quiet and empty. R visited our friends J and M in their garden and we all had a Zoom call together, me snug on the boat. I really was quite content to be able to see and hear them, without physically being with them all and it didn’t hinder our conversation, so although far away, I didn’t really feel I was missing out. Except for the wine – it looked like they were all enjoying a nice bottle of white whilst I am trying to develop a habit of no alcohol when alone on the boat. It gives my liver a rest! The joy of the canalside pubs is something we have missed out on, due to Covid, but hopefully we will see a few reopening in this our last fortnight and we will be able to relax in the pub gardens, R with a decent pint of local ale and me sampling a craft gin!
NarrowboatTLC 