The best start to my day.

Hi Friends old and new.

Tuesday morning and a pleasant start to my day, after a hot night on the boat. Now get your mind out of the gutter. It was hot due to the fact that we had both stoves going. During in the evening, we were a little chilly in the saloon and with it being shower night, I lit the saloon stove, so that we could have a warm shower room. It was so nice to have a shower in the warmth, but the heat built up through the night and at one point Keith got up and opened the slide a little to allow some of the heat out of the back cabin. The back cabin stove is always closed right down over night, so it does not create to much heat, but even that seemed to be working on overtime.
We got up to a nice warm boat and even the water is nice and hot as well. As it was way to early to get up at 6am, I made us the usual cuppa, which we enjoyed in bed. It was gone 8am before we got out of bed. The Foxton mooring is pretty quiet, allbeit for the dogs barking on and off in a neighbouring garden. I am sure they have no idea why they are barking, they just do it for no reason, it must drive the neighbours nuts. Anyway we are off tomorrow, so we are none to bothered.
After Breakfast, I took Paddy for his morning stroll. This time it was up the towpath and out into a field, which has a designated footpath across it. Foxton has some lovely little walks around it. They all have yellow posts marking the routes, so you would never get lost. Pad was off across the field like a loonie and no amount of calling bought him to heel. Once I caught up with him, I discovered that he was paddling in a stream. When I say paddling, I don't mean actually standing in the water, Pad just does not like water that much. He was standing on the bank pawing at the water, as if it was gonna come out and play with him, daft mutt. The views across the field are quiet beautiful and will get better as the leaves change to their Autumn colours.
As we walked back to the boat, I collected sticks for the fire and Paddy had his trained on the ground, something smelt very nice to him. No idea what it was and I actually dread to think what it could have been. Back on board it was time to sort the fires out, so I emptied out the ash pan in the back stove and made the fire up. There was smoke bellowing out of the chimney, this is a sight I absolutely love at this time of the year. Fire all done, so I filled up the Copper kettle and placed that on the stove, so that it will boil for a coffee later.
I am at present waiting for a text message from Tesco, to say when my food delivery is coming. I booked it for between 11am and 1pm, but they usually text me to tell me which hour it will arrive in. Our cupbards will then be full again for a week or so.
Have just heard on the local news that the agony aunt Claire Rayner has died at the age of 79. Claire wrote many columns over the years and appeared on many a day time show. She will be sadly missed. My thoughts go out to her family and husband Des, who she had been married to for some 53 years.
My morning is now complete. I have just won the 3 of a kind competition on Hfm and got my song played. Thanks Dave Irving for playing 'I knew I loved you before I met you' by Savage Garden. You do not get expensive prizes for winning this competition, it is just a bit of fun and it is the first time I have ever come first wooooooo hooooooooo.

Just had this posted on facebook by a friend and in many ways it is so true.

TO NON DOG OWNERS who may visit my home and complain about my Dog...
1) He lives here, you don't.
2) If you don't want his hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture, that's why they call it 'Fur'-niture.
3) I love my pet more than I like most people.
4) To you he is an animal, to me he is my young 'un, who is short, hairy, walks on ...all fours and loves me unconditionally :)

Thanks Phil for that, it made me smile.

No Better Way.

Hi folks.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there.

There is no better way to start the day, than with a cooked breakfast. On our boat K always does the cooked breakfast. It is something he loves doing every now and again. But before that could be enjoyed. There was a certain mutt to walk, that came after the cat had crept into our bed to get warm. On a chilly morning, she loves to creep in under the covers, curl up in a ball and fall a sleep for five minutes, or until we get up. I disturbed her sleep, by getting out of bed. P was ready for his morning stroll. He was actually bursting to go, no sooner he was off the boat. I took him back up the towpath close to Crack Hill and let him have a run out across a Buttercup Meadow. He was in his element, bouncing his way across the field. I am sure he has springs in his legs. With his walk over, both he and M got their breakfast, whilst hubby cooked ours. This morning's delight was Grilled Bacon, Poached Eggs on Toast and Grilled Mushrooms. Very yummy as always. Because I do most of the cooking onboard, this is hubby's chance to shine and he does it very well. I then of course get the washing up ha ha ha.

With breakfast over with and the washing up done. I suggested we take a walk up Crack Hill. So I grabbed my camera, we locked up the boat and set off along the towpath, towards our destination. The views across the field was quite stunning with all of the buttercups out. You can see Crack Hill in the background.

Once we reached the top, there were picturesque views across to Crick Village, Yelvetoft and I could even see the radio masts at Rugby.
There was even a pleasant view of Crick Marina, where boats had gone out of for the weekend. We took a walk through Millennium Wood, and sat at a picnic bench and just listened to the birds singing. A Skylark was in great song nearby. I reckoned that they probably had a nest in the grass close by. It was just so nice to sit and listen to the peace and quiet of the countryside.

I love allsorts of wildlife, but one little thing really makes me smile is the Ladybird. They are so pretty and are great to have in any garden, if you want to get rid of Green Fly. Having enjoyed the tranquility of the wood, we wandered back to the boat and a coffee was the order of the day. P and M were allowed to go out on the back counter of the boat to enjoy the morning sunshine. Whilst I made lunch, K laid out his Rag Rugs on the roof of the boat, hoping someone may like to buy one. After lunch I got chatting to people walking a long the towpath. I could chat for England me. If chatting was a world cup event, then I would win it for England. Moored in front of us was NB Tranquility and they are also an official trading boat. I took a wander down to have a natter with them and introduced myself. Betty and Graham have been on NB Tranquility for 3 years and they sell rubber fenders, and knitwear. Betty knits babies cardigans up to the age of 2 years and very nice they are too. K came and joined in the chat and before we know it a couple of hours had gone, by and more coffee was called for. So we all pulled up a chair each and settled down to putting the world to right, whilst watching boats coming back to the Marina. When I looked at my watch it was 6.30pm, neither the mog or dog had been fed and dog had not had his walk either. So we all agreed although we were having a good time, we should cook our dinners and K should walk P whilst I put away the Rag Rugs and then did dinner.

Today has been a lazy Sunday. We spent most of it sitting in the sun watching the walkers, joggers and boats go by, whilst making new friends with Betty and Graham. We may see them again at Braunston next week. It has been a throughly enjoyable day. We did not sell any rugs, but maybe we will have more luck next week.

Life Is...

Life is meaningless only if we allow it to be.
Each of us has the power to give life meaning, to make our time and our bodies and our words into instruments of love and hope.

It won't hurt a bit.

Hi folks.

One day to go and counting. Yep tomorrow we are off yippee, we cannot wait to finally get underway.

This morning I was up with a spring in my step. I had a lot of things rushing in my head of the things I needed to get done. So I have had a day of washing and drying laundry. I then had to think of all the other things I could get done and it has to be said that some of them have to wait until tomorrow, such a filling the water tank. So I also did not want to over do things, knowing I had my Physio at 1pm.

I spent some of the morning chatting to the friends we had made since being in Market Harborough. I know we will see them again at the beginning of October, but I felt it right and proper to say thank you to them all for their help, whilst we have been here. I got hubby to lift my bike back into the hold. I did help him but need to take things easy.

We had an early lunch, because I had Physio at 1pm , so after lunch we walked down to the Cottage Hospital for my appointment. Now there was I expecting to be examined as it said on my letter from the hospital to wear a vest, which I did. But after waiting in the waiting area, listening to one woman who had been waiting for over an hour to be seen. I got called in 5 minutes after my appointment time. maybe this other woman had upset someone there LOL. So I was already to strip off, so the Physio could examine my shoulder, when she started asking me questions about my injury. I was still expecting to have to lie on the bed, but no she just asked me to lift my arm above my head, which is not easy at the moment. The Physio did not lay her hands on me once, which I find a little odd. Instead she gave me an instruction sheet and two large pieces of rubber strips to use for exercises and that was that. The one really good thing was she understood about living on a boat and the problems that can cause, because she has friends who live on a boat at Willow Tree Marina near London. It was refreshing to hear from someone in the Medical profession that they understood our way of life.

Whilst in the town we picked up a cooling wrap to put in the freezer for my shoulder, should it get angry when I do the swing bridge or locks tomorrow. I also need some stamps, as I have Birthday cards to post soon. I like to keep a selection of cards on the boat and the stamps to go with them. If I am in a town anywhere, I will pick up cards and put them in my Birthday box. Back onboard, it was time for a well earned coffee and a couple of Shortbread biscuits. Tonights dinner is going to be a Curry, and for pudding Strawberry Cheesecake with fresh Strawberries mmmm.

At the moment we are watching football and will be all evening. So you all have a good evening.