1030am Sent son G a photo of the TV in our hotel room last night, to update him as to where we are (reading blog is too much effort!) and he responded with the TV in the hotel he and M happened to be staying! He also reminded me that exactly a year ago to the day we picked up WindRose for our first canal trip and with G and M aboard, we went from Braunston to the Folly Inn at Napton and had an outside supper (covid rules) and enjoyed standing around a massive firepit in the pub garden. How strange that exactly a year later R and I returned to the Folly not remembering the date. What a difference a year has made for that pub and how imaginatively they have transformed the garden to enable business to go on as normally as possible. Well worth a visit if you find yourself in the vicinity.
Back to today, in my semi wakeful state I heard the pitter patter of water and felt rather depressed at the thought of a rainy day ahead. Fortunately when I drew back the curtains a blue sky greeted me and the pitter patter was the shower next door! A message from A on mobile saying they have found another fault with the engine, something to do with a faulty injector. How I wish I understood engines but really this is all double dutch to me. Suffice to say J is confident he can get us on the boat today – whatever else, we need to visit DD to get some clean underwear! I am also worried about the health of my water and milk kefir. Both cultures I have been nurturing for the last month and encouraging all family members to indulge in a daily healthy dose! R may be relieved to find they have gone squiffy but I shall be gutted (or is that un-gutted?)! They are among our possessions on DD as I didn’t think I could carry them around with us. We have been travelling light!
I am not a fan of taking pictures of food but decided I needed to be reminded of my very indulgent breakfast today. First surprise was that the teapot actually contained very strong coffee (ordered by R, thinking I would prefer it to tea) and then we were handed a menu, all things egg. Decided waffles, fruit and yoghurt was manageable only to be told the dairy delivery had not arrived so no yoghurt available – would I prefer ice-cream? Even I think ice cream for breakfast is maybe a little too much so compromised on a little double cream!
So here we are waiting. Room vacated, sitting in the pub lounge, perfectly content, reflecting on our walk yesterday and the interesting people we met. Memories of our last trip assail me and I realise how much, once home, I have missed the long walks, reflecting on nature and taking the time to converse with others, from whom we can learn so much. Somehow I just can’t do this in my normal life. ‘Stuff’ gets in the way, from sorting belongings to ever increasing ‘to do’ lists. I was asked recently why I liked the boating life, with all its physical discomforts and associated hassles. For me it is the relative simplicity. You just have to sort out the problems right in front of you and then continue on. With fewer strands to weave and less baggage to carry, somehow I feel I have clearer headspace. Hard to describe especially as those who know me well realise I have a house full of possessions – a lot of them not mine, I would like to add! Even so, one of my challenges ahead is to declutter my life so that I can spend more time on the things that I feel really matter. God and spirituality, people, love, creativity.
2330hrs. Quite a day but still no movement. Patience is a virtue. At least we are now settled on the boat – it just can’t move! However we were literally blessed by the arrival of Ro, my step brother. He came in his white van and put himself at our disposal. Just as well because a misunderstanding led to there being nothing useful on the boat, such as bedding, mop and bucket, floor mats etc. Al had thought we wanted to bring everything – I had assumed we had agreed it would be kitted out like WindRose, where all basics were provided but you chose whether or not you brought your own crockery and kitchenware. So off we went to the Asda superstore followed by the mega Sainsbury’s in Rugby. Arriving back at the boat, no sign of the fuel injectors but J set us up with some power and I set about unpacking. It’s a daunting task as you look at a car load of stuff and wonder where it is all going to fit. How to store it logically so you can remember where you have put it and how to make best accessibility for the things you need the most. As a newly refurbished boat, although looking beautiful, it was somewhat lacking in hooks and not quite enough kitchen cupboards. Necessity is the mother of invention so after considerable thought, tomorrow we are off to scour the shops for shelving and various items that can make best use of space available! In addition to all else that happened today, when R and Al were moving our belongings from pub garden to the boat, the car boot was left open and one box fell out – how was it possible that that was the one box-load of glasses and mugs. Suffice to say we will be charity bric-a-brac surfing tomorrow!
White van man – our hero! 
Blue Lias – our local 
Moored along this arm 
See the potential?!
Meanwhile R got to grips with the heating. The stove looks tiny so can only take coal – alas no more wood foraging for us. It also doesn’t give out nearly so much heat so there’s no danger of me stripping off as I found myself doing on WindRose! Those of you who were so concerned that we were warm enough on the boat and I kept reassuring you we were toasty warm every afternoon/evening. Am not so sure I will be giving you the same story now!
NarrowboatTLC 