Make a difference.

Hello Friends and Followers.

As all the readers in the UK know today is voting day. Now as you know I am not political on my blog, there are enough blogs out there covering politics, but I would like to say as far as us ladies go we should vote.

In 1918 Parliament gave women over the age of 30 the right to vote. The right to vote for women over the age of 21 did not come in till 1928, but that right is now ours and we should grasp it with both hands.

Before 1918 we as women were not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections, it was a men only club. But come the 20th century there were two main groups active in the campaign for women's suffrage, a term used to describe the right to vote.

These two groups were the 'suffragists' they campaigned using peaceful methods such as lobbying. the second group were the 'suffragettes' they were determined that women should have the right to vote by what ever means necessary. This lead to some unlawful and violent acts which, but this of course attracted much publicity.

In 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed which meant any women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification had the right to vote. Although 8.5 million women met this criteria, it only represented 40 per cent of the total population of women in the UK. It was not until the Equal Franchise Act of 1928 that women over the age of 21 were able to vote and women finally achieved the same voting rights as men. This act increased the number of women eligible to vote to 15 million. So you see those who fought for the women’s right to vote have given us a voice and we should use it. I personally thank all those women who fought for this right to put a cross on a piece of paper.

This morning we walked to the Polling Station and voted. I am not going to say which way I voted, because that is my personal choice, but who ever we all vote for let us hope that we can all get along.

As a friend said on his Facebook page:

It's a democracy and I'm proud of having one. Vote how you want, as long as you are informed and happy who am I to comment.
Voting is a freedom some countries don't have.
Differences should be put aside and we unite as a country. Look after each other, be friendly and support each other.

Hump Day.

Hello Friends and Followers.

I am a bit of a plonker. Yes I admit it. Why?

Well yesterday I did a stupid thing, I managed to scold my arm on the kettle and to make things worst, I did a double whammy with the steam from said kettle. My forearm was looking very angry last night, but much to my relief this morning it has calmed down somewhat. I have no idea how I did it, because I use the kettle at least six times a day in the same way. Anyway I will fine, it is no big drama.

So here we are Hump Day, Wednesday. The rain which persisted yesterday has blown over, but the wind is still blowing up a gale, which I am chuffed about because it dried my washing, which was done early doors. Having sorted the laundry out, I got on with cleaning and tidying the boat. This mostly consisted of putting the hoover around, because Paddy’s hair was everywhere. he is once again having a major moult, so all I see is tumbleweed rolling up and down the boat. Getting the hoover out, means Marmite tries to find some sanctuary somewhere, because she hates the hoover. I have no idea why, because I have never scared her with it, but she always runs to the back cabin and sits on the step where she can see me and the machine of doom coming towards her. Paddy is a little indifferent, he just moves when I tell him. By 11 am Keith was back from food shopping, so I had the food to stow away, before making us both a coffee. No sooner I had done that, it was time for lunch, which today was tomatoes on toast, yes this was our toast lunch day. Once a week, we just have something on toast for lunch. I know it sounds boring, but we have different things each week. My afternoon was spent making coffee, nattering to boaters in the Arm, oh and I walked to Sainsbury’s to buy some strong Cheddar Cheese. I love a strong Cheddar, I cannot be doing with the mild stuff and Aldi’s Mature Cheddar is not strong enough, so I go to Sainsbury to get their strongest, which is English Vintage Cheddar this week. When we were in Birmingham, I found an extremely strong Cheese on the market, which was scrummy. We may just have to go into Birmingham to get some more .

As the day has worn on, the wind has dropped and my latest crochet blanket is almost finished. I am already thinking about the next project.

Politics alert. Yes tomorrow it is time to vote, so remember to make your mark on that little slip of paper if you want to make a difference.

Politics alert over

After the day before.

Hello Friends and Followers.

You did not need to look out this morning, to know exactly what the weather was doing. It was wet and windy here. The rain was lashing down on the roof of the back cabin and the trees opposite the boat were thrashing around in the wind. I am just thankful, that we did not have today’s weather yesterday when we locked wheeled the Hatton Flight. yes it was raining, but it was refreshing rain. Today would have been wet and cold.

Talking about it being cold. I have re-lit the stove. yes it is June and the fire is lit. The cabin felt chilly and damp, so there was only thing for it, but to light the fire. One of the boats inhabitants was very please and that was Miss Marmite, who hates the cold. She has been curled up all snug and warm all day.

Paddy on the other hand was not at all impressed with having to go outside in the rain. He was quick to do what needed to be done and was then back in the boat. He always makes me giggle when he stands in the middle of the saloon with a depressed look on his face, because he will not get into his bed when wet. Eventually having dried out, he retired to his bed and that is where he has stayed.

My day was spent crocheting another baby blanket. This one is in Blue and White and when it is finished I will post a photograph. The sun did eventually put in an appearance, but with it the wind picked up, which has been wrecking havoc in the garden. I had to tie up the Clematis which was blown down and some of my shrubs are looking battered. Tomorrow is supposed to be better, so I think I maybe doing some gardening to sort out the damage.

Up the hill and breakfast.

Hello Friends and Followers.

After a perfect Sunday afternoon with the Alarum Theatre, I invited the ladies to join us for the pub quiz at The Punch Bowl. There were seven teams and some what we thought were really difficult questions and so we were not surprised when we came 5th. The Alarum Theatre team, which called themselves ‘Idle Women’ kept us all up by coming last, but as I say it was a difficult quiz. We all had a brilliant time though.

This morning began as a soggy Monday morning and of course we had the Hatton flight of locks to do.

We set off from the Saltisford Arm at 8 am to set the first lock, where the boats and crew members joined us at 8.30 am.

Before exiting the first lock the boats were breasted up.

There was plenty of water.

Rain still falling we made our way up the hill. Keith went ahead setting the locks, whilst Heather, Kate, Francis and I closed the locks. It worked like clock work.

Joining us was Andrew Denny who write for Waterways World.

Erin also joined us and was filming for the Theatre group.

Despite the weather we did the Hatton Flight in Two and Three Quarter Hours and so we thought a breakfast in the cafe was called for. Keith and I both had a lovely English breakfast, which went down really well because we had not eaten breakfast before leaving the boat. It also served as lunch as well, all washed down with a cup of warming tea.

We had an absolutely fabulous time with Kate, Heather 1, Heather 2, Francis, Brian, Alex, Andrew and Erin and we sincerely hope that the ‘Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways’ continues its success. Having said our “Goodbyes” we walked back down the flight and home to the boat. A good day was had by all.

A Brilliant Day.

Hello Friends and Followers.

What a fabulous day today and not even the weather could spoil a perfect Sunday.

This morning we said “Cheerio” to Del and Al off of Narrowboat Derwent 6. It was fantastic to see them again after a few years. A lot of catching up was done whilst they stayed in the Arm. Hopefully we will not leave it so long before we see them again. Happy cruising Del and Al

The morning was then spent getting ready for the production of Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways produced and acted out by the Alarum Theatre. Now the weather forecast said it would be dry with heavy cloud, what it did not say was we would have rain, so we set up the gazebo for the refreshments, we put chair out and we hoped that people would turn up for the 2 pm production.

The weather did its best to upset the apple cart, but people did turn up thankfully and Jack and I were busy at the gazebo making teas and coffees.

Both Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie were brilliant. Their performances were inspired and informative with a few laughs thrown in and it is a performance everyone should see.

The second half was moved into the Cedar Room, because the weather decided to rain on us, but it did not dampen the spirits.

Poetry and Song were heard for the first time in the Cedar Room.

We all had such a wonderful afternoon with the group and I sincerely hope we can do something like this again sometime, because it is what the Arm is all about.

Alarum Theatre Arrives.

Hello Friends and Followers.

We had an exciting afternoon with The Alarum Theatre arriving for the performance of Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways which is taking place tomorrow.

Keith and I went down to Cape Locks with Kate Saffin to help them through and I wanted to take photographs.

Almost to the turn into the Arm.

Welcome to The Saltisford Arm Tench.

Historic Working Boat Tench and Morning Mist arrived safely in the Arm, although Tench found the winding hole shallow. But with a bit of effort and some rope work, we got her into her mooring.

Now we just hope tomorrow is nice and plenty of people come and watch their amazing performance.

Sticky Fringe.

Hello Friends and Followers.

A slight change to our weather today. It began sunny and humid and then the forecast rain arrived and cooled things down a tad. I usually like to do a laundry wash on a Friday, but with the forecast of rain, I decided to leave it in the washing machine till tomorrow, when I know I can put the washing out. Instead I sat outside in the sunshine early doors and got on with some crochet. I want to get a few more baby blankets done for our Heritage weekend in September. Whilst I sat crocheting Kate Saffin from the Alarum Theatre Tour popped into the Arm for a quick catch-up and to give me some more leaflets. Kate and Heather will be doing their performance in front of the Arm’s Cedar Room, which we hire out for meetings and if the weather should rain our parade, then we can always set up in there.

The Idle Women production is coming to the Arm on Sunday at 2pm and I cannot wait. We are all ready for their arrival tomorrow, when they will be bringing Historic Working Boat Tench into the Arm. Jacky and I are all set for the tea tent, so we are just hoping plenty of people turn up. It was nice to say “Hello” to Kate before they come in tomorrow.

The title of this posting as you will have read is ‘Sticky Fringe’. The reason for this is because that is what I have at the moment. Because of the hot weather, my fringe sticks to my forehead, thus giving me a sticky fringe, which annoys the living daylights out of me, as it is not a good look. I think for as long as I can remember I have struggled with fringe or no fringe and I am forever growing it out, only to cut it back in again. This I did a few weeks ago, I had a debate on my Facebook about which looked better.

Fringe.

No Fringe.

At the moment I have a fringe, but it is pinned back, so I do not have a sticky fringe moment. From as long as I can remember I have had a fringe on and off for many many years, although looking at old photographs, I did not have a fringe as a child. I am always aware that I frown and I have a high forehead and this is why I thought having a fringe would cover that up. But in hot weather it does give me a sticky fringe. I guess the solution would be to keep the fringe and just pin it up when it is hot, then I have the best of both worlds. Oh what is a girl supposed to do?

Almost a panic.

Hello Friends and Followers.

What another beautiful day?

Marmite chose to spend most of it in her favourite shady place, but that was only after I had treated the tables, bench, bird table and bunker with wood preserver.

Oh yes the Almost a Panic title. This is referring to yesterday. I had been down to the office to discuss the gardens and the up and coming Open Gardens event and Warwick in Bloom which we take part in every year. After I came back from the office and had done some bits in the garden, the phone rang and it was someone for Keith. I answered the phone in the engine room, where Marmite was behaving rather oddly. I looked out on the pontoon where she was running around looking down to the water. It was then I heard a whimpering noise. With the water level low at the moment, I was able to bend down beside the boat and look under the pontoon, where I saw a little brown terrier whimpering. I tried to encourage it out, but it got scared and ran along the mud into the water and swam down to my neighbour Maria's boat. So I dashed to her mooring and called the dog. After a bit of soothing talk and good boy the little dog came out from beneath the pontoon and as it did so I grabbed its harness. I was thankful it had a harness and not a collar, because I may not have been able to fish it out of the water. The poor little thing was scared and very wet and cold. As I sorted it out a man called over the hedge "Has anyone see a small Brown dog". I told him I had it and that it had been under the pontoon. He reckoned it had jumped out of his mates car in the car park and jumped in the water. I told him in no uncertain terms that the dog should be on a lead, because it could of drowned. He did at least thank me, but I did not like the man himself. Poor little mite. This is why we have notices on site which asks dogs to be kept on leads.

Thankfully today has been less dramatic. I sent the OH off to do the weekly food shop and then I went and got Paddy his food from Trust Pets around the corner. I will probably be looking for another supplier though, because the prices has gone up by a little to much for my liking on his 15 kg bag of food. I have been doing a bit of research online and I have found the same food cheaper, which is a good thing. After lunch I got the strimmer out and trimmed above our garden and along the hedge line of the wildflower garden and car park beds. It is nice to keep them tidy and with the Open Gardens coming up on the 2nd July, everything needs to look nice. I have been picking Strawberries from our garden. Sorry I should of taken a photograph, instead we enjoyed eating them instead. I will try and remember next time. With the heat outside, I retired to the coolness of the boat. In my mature years I find I cannot sit out in the sun very long. There was a time when I would lay in the sun all day. But of course that is frowned upon these days, what with skin Cancer etc.

So here we are it is now 20.12 pm and I am watching Small Soldiers. Oh ladies Poldark is back on soon . I wonder what this series will be like. Unfortunately I missed some of the last series due to us cruising, but with us stuck at home, I may just get some of it in this time. On the generator front, we are making progress and as soon as I have definite news I will let you know. All I can say is we are going for a Fischer Panda and we are organising a date to have our old one out and the new one put in, once it is ordered.

Right time to say “Cheerio”.