Peony's and the veg plot.

118: Baby steps forward.

Dear family, friends and followers.

I saw this on my daughters Facebook page and thought I would share it with you.

As we start to open up...

You do You, I'll do me. That's what we should be about. None of us have the same circumstances (medically high risk child/family member or a business about to go under, etc.). Let's all stay in our own lanes and keep the judgment down as we begin to reopen. No one should feel pressured either way.
Just a thought...As government are trying to figure out how to ease back into normal, please remember:

🛑 Some people don’t agree with opening...that’s okay. Be Kind.
🏡 Some people are still planning to stay home...that’s okay. Be Kind.
🦠 Some are still scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening...that’s okay. Be Kind.
💰 Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may not lose their business or their homes...that’s okay. Be Kind.
😳 Some people already lost their jobs and businesses. Be kind.
👩🏾‍⚕️Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off...that’s okay. Be Kind.
📝 Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job...that’s okay. Be Kind.
😷 Some will wear masks for weeks...that’s okay. Be Kind.
💅🏻 Some people will rush out to get their hair or nails done...that’s okay. Be Kind.
❤️ The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be Kind.
We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home...But Be Kind .
If you need to go out, just respect others when in public and Be Kind!

Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story. We all are in different mental states than we were months ago. So remember, Be Kind.

Please copy, paste & post if would like to. ❤

Saltisford Ducklings.

Day 116: Bank Holiday in the sunshine.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Sunday morning and I enjoyed a bit of a lie in. I did not wake until 8 am, which for me is late. Sunday's for me is a day to do as little as possible, not because I am religious, but because it is how I have always thought. Who remembers the days when Sunday's were a day of rest?
There were no shops open (like now). You went to church first thing. In my case as a child it was to sing in the church choir. Yes I was one of those in a cassock, surplice and ruff. Blimey those ruffs used to chaff, because they were starched. I always felt like I was being strangled. Singing in the choir was always such a joy, because I loved to sing and still do. I sound like a strangled cat, but who cares. If you enjoy singing then just do it. Do you remember the pubs used to open at lunchtime for a couple of hours and then close again. Now they are open all day, well not at the moment, but hopefully they will be again soon. Sunday was always a day to either visit family or stay at home and watch the Sunday afternoon movie. How the times changed and yet in a way we are back to those days due to the Coronavirus.
We began our day as always with the first brew of the day, which was enjoyed whilst watching the BBC 1 breakfast news. The news was still dominated by the virus and an MP was being pushed into quitting, after they supposedly broke the lockdown rules. It made me think about how everyone interprets the lockdown rules. We are all human with differing ideas as to what the rules mean and I think this is why so many people have become judgemental and angry. I am not an angry person and even if I was, I would certainly not take it out on others, because as we all know life is way to short. This does not however mean we cannot have an opinion. We are all entitled to express our opinion, but I think it should be done is a guarded way and not with vitriol.
After enjoy the first cuppa of the day, it was time to climb out from beneath the duvet and start the day. I began with cooking up Lemon Chicken, which would be consumed at lunchtime. Whilst preparing and cooking that, I made us toast for breakfast. I like a bit of multi-tasking.

Having enjoyed a nice leisurely lunch and coffee, I felt the need to do something, so I went out and began to weed the path which runs along side our boat. The plants on the edges were already there when we moved onto the mooring, and I love them, they are a mix of rockery plants and forget me nots. The weeds in the middle are getting to much and had to go. With the aid of a cushion, tiny palate knife and a bucket, I managed to do up just past the first planter, before stopping for coffee and the making of tea.

I was sent the poster above by a friend, who asked me to post it on my Facebook and Twitter page. Most people would not even think about how this self distancing for the virus would affect the blind and their dogs. I hope this makes everyone think a little and if you are on social media, maybe you will share it around. There are those out there who must be finding this all dreadfully difficult and a little compassion and patience is definitely called for. Sunday on the whole was a quiet affair, as Sundays should be.

Bank Holiday Monday we once again awoke to sunshine. We have been fortunate that in this lockdown the weather has been so lovely. It has made the whole thing more bearable, because a little sunshine can brighten any spirits. We are also fortunate to have an open space to enjoy, which has no walkers, cyclists or runners passing by. We listen to BBC CWR every day when on the mooring. I was telephoned by the radio station and asked if I would do their daily quiz, which is called snake escape. It is based on snakes and ladder. You get a question right, you climb the ladder. You get the question wrong you slide down the snake. At 11am the radio station rang me and I took part in the quiz with the lovely Vic Minett. Sadly I did not fare too well. I got a question right, then one wrong. I played my bonus which gets you 5 points and the next question I got wrong. I ended up with one point, which matched what Keith had done a couple of weeks earlier. I enjoyed a lovely chat with Vic who we have gotten to know well over the years we have been here. Vic likened Keith and I to Terry and June. I reckon she may well be right in some respects and I am happy to have that title, because I used to love that program. Because it was another hot day, we spent most of the afternoon outside under the parasol, enjoying the peace and quiet. There was no roadworks and even the road seemed quieter, although there were a few people walking, cycling and running going over the bridge.

Tuesday and yes you guessed it, the sun was shining and the roadworks were back on. We were actually awake before the roadworks got underway and drinking tea at just after 7am. I wanted to be up earlier anyway to start some more painting jobs. I had noticed that there were a few rust spots appearing around the mushroom vents and decided they would get my attention today.

Another job that needed doing more urgently was our slide runner. The slide needs replacing when we can get hold of some timber. The underneath is rotting and one of the runners had a hole in it due to rot. It had been like it for at least a couple of years.

The hardboard is pretty rotten and is only held together by the aluminum top and sides. Keith was a little worried about doing the job, in case it went wrong and we were left without a slide, but I assured him it would be just fine. As it turned out, he did a good job with my help and so we replaced part of the rotten runner, screwed it all in place and I have undercoated it. Hopefully once we feel it is safe to go out shopping, we can get some new hardboard and do a proper job. But for now it will surfice.

Mr delivery man bought me a pressie. My three tier greenhouse arrived.

Now to put the jigsaw together.

A five minute job and hey presto a small green house to play with. I have already potted up some dwarf beans. I am hoping to grow a lot more things over the coming months and years. I would like to think I can get a veg plot going, in order to help feed us. I love gardening and now I have this, it will encourage me to do more. We have cable tied it down, so it does not blow away with one puff of wind.
It is now mid afternoon and time to put my feet up and watch some John Wayne movies. It would have been his birthday. Sony Movies is doing a John Wayne Birthday bash.

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well?

Pop back soon xxx

Sunday 24th May in my garden.

Day 113: Painting, Gate and Magnum's

Dear family, friends and followers.

How is everyone doing?
How are you getting along with the new normal or whatever you wish to call it?
Have you gone back to work or are you still at home?

We are still at home and have no plans on going anywhere, anytime soon, so more jobs are getting done.

As you will know if you have been reading my posts, I have been working on the gas locker lid. After a couple of days of preparing the metal work and under coating, I finally got round to doing the gloss coats.

After a coat of primer undercoat, I have done two coats of gloss on the red, white and blue. It is not 100%, but it will do for now and will keep Mr Rust at bay.

 
On Wednesday afternoon, it was so darn hot, that I spent the rest of my day after painting sitting outside under the parasol. I called it my office for the day. It was an absolute joy to sit outside listening to the bird song and the flippen roadworks, which seem to get louder and louder everyday.

With the boat painting on hold for a couple of days due to it being windy, I decided to turn my attention to painting my wooden box from the saloon.

This box I put together myself. It used to be a bigger box, but did not fit in the saloon, so I took it apart, cut it down and put it back together. A couple of years ago I painted it cream and varnished the corners, but it is now looking a little tired and requiring an update.

I rubbed it down and opted to repaint it sage green. It is the same green I have used in the back cabin and I love it. I have not finished the box yet, because the weather has decided to blow a hooley and dump some showers on us, but hopefully it will be finished in the next few days. I think I maybe obsessed with painting. if you see me with a paintbrush in my hand, move quickly, because you may end up being painted. I have always done the paintwork on the boat. I am unsure how or why that has happened, but Keith is more than happy to leave me too it. I do remember the one time he helped with painting he found it very hard to let the brush flow and is more or a rubbing the brush into the paintwork, which is not a very good look. To be honest I love painting, even though I am not that good at it. I am not an artistic painter, but hey painting a boat is not that difficult.
Having sat under the parasol, keeping out of the hot sun, it gave me loads of time to catch up with e-mails, Farm Town and Facebook. What has struck me of late is how little other news there is out there, since the virus struck. I am sure there must be lots of other news going on around the world, but we do not seem to be hearing it. I wonder why?
Thursday dinner, was a Thai takeaway from Totally Thai. They had text us to say we had not had a meal with them for a while. We actually had a meal with them on my Birthday in April. They offered us a 10% discount on a meal, so it would have been rude not to have ordered from them. There food is wonderful. I love the subtle flavour's of Thai food and it is always so beautifully cooked.
Friday dawned and the sun was pouring through the porthole, which meant another lovely day, but the downside was it was blowing a hooley. It was most definitely not a day for sitting out under a parasol, painting or even gardening. What to do? I took it upon myself to go through the food cupboard and given it a good clean and line everything up in its rightful place. I know, I know I must be going ever so slightly stir crazy, when all's I can find to do is clean the food cupboard, but hey it looks fabulous now. All tins are stacked with labels showing at the front, just like I used to do when I worked in retail. I found a basket for the vegetables and potatoes and the UHT milk is all neatly stacked in date order. There was a reason for doing this, we were expecting a Tesco delivery and I wanted to make sure that everything was rotated properly.
The food delivery was book for between 9 pm and 10 pm. Our phone rang at 8.30 pm, Mr Tesco was sitting outside the gate with our delivery. He actually apologised for being early.

One of the essential items in the shopping this time was a box of eight Magnums. We would of preferred Mint Magnums, but with none to be had, we settled for the classic. Oh my goodness it was so nice to have been able to get them, because they are our treat until the next delivery. We are allowing ourselves a treat in each delivery whilst this lockdown is still on going.
Saturday was a dull affair, with a chilly breeze blowing down the Arm. Job for the day was to put a new gateway into the fence on our pontoon.

We have a gateway at the other end of the pontoon and now have a new gateway at the stern of the boat, so we can use the other steps up to the gate. At the moment it will come in handy when a delivery arrives, because I have to sprint along the pontoon through the gate, up the steps and then sprint to the gate before the delivery driver leaves without leaving the parcel. I kid you not, some of the delivery drivers do not even bother to stop. They see the gate is shut and just leave. There is a notice on the gave saying we are closed due to the virus, but they should ring the telephone number and someone will collect the parcel. Unfortunately some drivers are to lazy to bother reading the notice, so just go away. On Thursday, I had been on the boat making a coffee, when I heard someone shouting. I dived off the boat, to hear a man shouting at the top of his voice "Is there anyone around", I shouted back "Hang on, I am coming". There I was legging it along the pontoon, along the pathway, up the steps to find this parcel force gentleman standing at the gate with a parcel. He thanked me for being there. I explained to him about the telephone number on the notice. I then said "If all else fails, look over the bridge, if my back doors are open, just shout out and I will come up. He thanked me for my help and left me with a parcel for boaters who were at the other end of the Arm. I strolled down the Arm and delivered the parcel. I classed all of that as my exercise for the day.
What is the flippen point of putting a notice on the gate, if people do not read it. The ones that have read it, use the phone number to our site manager, who then rings me and i go and collect the parcel. It is not rocket science. The worst of the delivery companies seems to be Hermes. My grey undercoat, was delivered supposedly twice and I bet they never read the notice. Thankfully the third time we were in luck and I got my paint. I of course realize that delivery drivers are on a set schedule, but with the roads quieter, there is no excuse. If Mr Tesco can turn up early, then the delivery drivers must be finding it easier to get around, especially as everyone is supposed to be at home.

Anyway this is the gate which will be hung once the brackets and catch arrive, not by carrier, but by Royal Mail care of our site manager, who goes and collects the post twice a week.
With this job done, the rest of my day has been spent watching films on 5Star. Death Becomes Her, Beaches and First Wives Club all fabulous movies. At 9 pm Pretty Woman is on. My idea of film heaven for the day.
On that note I will wish you a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend. Stay at home and stay safe :-).

Pop back soon xxx

Day 110: Sunshine and paintwork.

Dear family, friends and followers.

It is another beautiful week weather wise. There has been a nip in the air for the past few days in the evening and morning but that has now gone. This morning it was a warm start right from the get go. It was going to be another painting week for me as I continue to smarten the boat up and keep the rust at bay. Before getting on with the first paint job, I wanted to rub down the galley door frame and re-varnish it. It had been some years since this one had been done, so it needed a bit of work with the sandpaper, but once all sanded down and the dust cleared away, I did the fist coat of clear external gloss varnish. I wanted to do it first thing, so it would be dry enough to close the doors overnight.

Once the galley frame was done, I turned my attention to the gas locker lid and surround. The lid is made from chequer plate, which makes it a pain to rub down, so I used a wire brush on a drill, to help make life easier. I also have a trusty old chisel which I used to scrape off the flaky bits.

By the time I had rubbed it all down it was too hot to start painting, so I left it and got on with a bit of weeding and crochet to wait for the sun to go around to the stern of the boat and the heat to dissipate. Four o'clock and it was cool enough to put the first coat of primer undercoat on, this would dry overnight. Since I began the job on Monday, it has come on and I am now onto painting the gloss coats. The galley door frame is now finished.

As the country and the world begins to get back to some sort of normality, it has certainly got busier here. There are more cars on the road and people wandering about. The Arm though is not open to visiting boats or anyone wanting to use the services. We have vulnerable people living here at the moment and as we are in the leisure industry, we will not be open before the 1st of July at the earliest. Our gates remain closed to the public for now. Even when we do open up, there will be a lot of restrictions and rules, in order to keep everyone safe. I can see this going on for sometime to come. This period does however give us time to get jobs done. They say there is a plus to every minus and I agree there is. We may not like the minuses but at some point a plus will follow. I hope the plus is that people are kinder to each other and we learn to be nicer to each other, because the one thing this situation has highlighted is that there are some truly not very nice people out there and yet on the plus side, there are some absolutely amazing people, doing some extraordinary things.
Take for instance Captain Tom Moore, who inspired the world and most of all the nation with his 100 laps of his garden for the NHS. Today Tom has been given the amazing honour. He is now Captain Sir Tom Moore. He is such an inspiration and his words of wisdom always make me smile. This morning watching him with his daughter Hannah speaking to BBC Breakfast, really got the day off to a wonderful start. This great man like all of those who fought in the wars, shows a true stiff upper lip mentality and lets nothing defeat him. I can imagine when he eventually gets to see the Queen, they will have a lot to talk about, if given the chance. Congratulations to Captain Sir Tom Moore and thank you for inspiring a nation.

Today is a big day in England. Organ donation opt out comes into effect. For anyone who does not know about it, this means that if you wish to be an organ donor you do not have to give specific consent, it will be presumed that you are willing to do so unless you say otherwise. I personally think this is wonderful news. Just for the record I state right now that if there is any part of my knackered old body that is useful to someone else after I have finished with it I would consider it an absolute privilege for those parts to be used to help someone else. I have carried a donor card for many years. Once I leave this mortal coil I will no longer need my bits, so they may as well be put to good use. If you have never spoken to your relatives about this subject, it is something you really should express your wishes, so that when the time comes everyone knows what you want to happen. Saving another's life is the last act of kindness any of us will be able to do when the clock stops ticking for us in their world.

Have a wonderful day.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 107: Be kind.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Here we are about to start a new week and I find myself wondering why I am actually writing my blog at the moment. I started this blog as a diary of my everyday ups and downs. Over the years I have written about all kinds of things, but mostly about our cruising around this wonderful countries canals. Of course we are not cruising at the moment, because of being in lockdown. We were fortunate to go out at the start of March, when we were not in lockdown and cruising was allowed. At that point no one knew how this virus was going to take over this wonderful country of ours. Of course our cruising got cut short and we took the decision to come on home, we could of stayed out along with so many other boaters who are out there at the moment, but for us coming home was right and with the help of CRT we made it home safe and sound. We will not be going out again this year, that has also been our decision. I know CRT maybe opening up the waterways again on the 1st of June all being well, but we feel it maybe too soon. If it happens everyone will be chomping at the bit to go cruising and that is their choice.
We all have the right to make our own choices and we all should have the common sense to know which decisions are right and wrong. I hope that once this virus is done with us, we will have learnt something from it all and have no regrets about the decisions we made. I have friends who have family members going though the virus at the moment. A couple of them are very poorly in ICU and my thoughts go out to them and I wish them a speedy recovery. I am thankful that my family have so far stayed well.

This weekend has been a sunny one. The mornings have begun rather nippy, but I have still got on with painting the boat. When I say painting, I mean touching up the paintwork. We had some small rust spot appearing under the red on the cabin sides, so it was time to get them rubbed down and treated. It has taken three coats of gloss to get a decent covering. It is not perfect, but it at least protects the cabin sides from further rust. With the side of the boat finished, we winded the boat and are now back around the right way for us. I can now concentrate on getting the bow painted and any other bits that need doing.
After lunch, I gave Keith a hand with sorting our gate out. The plan is to put a second gate in at the other end of our mooring at some point, when we can get some timber. There is no hurry though, we have all the time in the world (here's hoping).

This morning mother duck bought her five ducklings in to visit us. They spent a couple of hours snoozing the morning away. We think she may have had as many at fourteen ducklings at the beginning, but only these five have made it.

We have not seen many ducklings and have very few ducks coming into the Arm, which is a real shame. Having these little bundles of joy around over the weekend was such a joy.

How are you all doing out there?
How have you coped with this lockdown and now with the new guidelines?

I am not a person who stresses out. I just go with the flow on the whole. I however know that some people have been finding this situation difficult to cope with. I use Twitter and Facebook, where I see how friends and family are coping and how some are managing just fine and others are really getting depressed. Everyone needs a hug at some point and even though we cannot actually hug people close-up at the moment, who are not in our own home, we can give them a virtual hug from a distance. Being kind throughout this whole situation is key I feel. I have read some truly abusive posts and comments towards people, who dare to have an opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and even though we may not agree with it, we have no right to be abusive towards that person, because no one knows what that person maybe going through. As an old quote says. “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”

As Sunday draws to a close. Dirty Dancing is the order of the day on TV.

I wish you all a truly wonderful week. I will post at some point in the week no doubt.

Pop back soon xx