A Good Day for Jobs.

We woke up as usual early doors, so I got up and made a cup of rosy lee and Keith put the TV on, so we could watch the GB Curling Team beat USA. Blimey it was nail biting.

Once up, Paddy got walked and then he and Marmite got fed. I then made up the saloon stove. The back cabin stove has not been lit for a few days now as it has been to warm. Because we sleep in the back cabin, neither of us like it to hot. After getting the jobs inside the boat done, I left Keith watching the Para Winter Olympics and I got on with tidying the hold and out lockup. I want to shovel some lose house coal into sacks, but will leave that for another day, because it is going to be a messy and noisy job. Whilst I stopped for coffee, Mr Parcel Force delivered my 50 litre bag of compost, so let the potting begin.

Before lunch, Keith took a stroll up to Sainsbury to buy some herbs for our herb pots.

When we are on the move, I never get the chance to use fresh herbs, but now we have our own mooring, I can have my very own herb planter and use them when ever I like.

Lunch was Chilli Con Carne and Rice and for pudding we had Cheese cake with Pineapple and Ice Cream. I have to say it was all really yummy. Lunch over with, it was time to put the herbs into my herb planter.

Because the pots were over flowing with herbs, I actually split the plants and re-potted them, so I have double the amount of pots. The planter trays only cost me £1 each from The Original Factory Shop. I have another four ready for strawberry plants when they arrive.

I then planted some potato’s in a sack and the remainder of the seed potato’s I put in a rough part of the garden where the soil needs breaking down and growing potato’s is very good at doing this. So we should have some yummy new potato’s this year.

I also wanted to grow some flower from seed this year and so yesterday I bought a couple of cheap seed propagators also from The Original Factory Shop.

Using the compost which arrived this morning, I have planted Nemesia, Golden Rod and Antirrhinum for starters. I have also put in two sorts of Runner Beans. Painted Lady and White Lady, so looking forward to lots of lovely beans this Summer. So I have my fingers crossed they all sprout. I have lots of other seeds, which can go straight into the garden. I always loved gardening, but never really missed it whilst we were continuously cruising. Since having our home mooring and a lovely garden, I have really got the gardening bug again and because we will not be moving this year, due to Keith needing to get his strength back and sort his health out, I am going to be spending a lot of time in the garden this year.

Spring has sprung.

Comma Butterfly.

With the warmth of the sunshine during the afternoon, the Butterflies are emerging to take in the rays.

Tortoiseshell Butterfly.

Yesterday (Tuesday) the sun did not appear until the afternoon, but once it was out, it was lovely and warm, which meant I could get on with more gardening. The arm is becoming quieter, with many of those who took a Winter mooring here having left. Jacquie on Like Ducks 2 Water, Chrissie and Paul on Anjuna, Bob and Carol on their boat and a couple of others who did not actually liveaboard over the Winter. For lunch I cooked us a homemade Shepherds Pie with veg and gravy. I am still cooking Keith things he fancies, because I am trying to build him up a bit. Keith himself feels so tired after the smallest of jobs, so it is everything done slowly and when he is ready and able. But day by day I do see improvements in him, which is fantastic.

Gardening done and nails looking a right state, it was time for a much needed coffee and a sit down to watch the Para Winter Olympics. Wow are team is doing so well and quite honestly could show our able bodied athletes a thing or two about competing. As the day drew to a close, I seemed to have done very little with my day, but felt exhausted. My day ended at 9.30 pm when I headed off to bed and left Keith watch Predators on Film4. I am not a fan of blood and gore, so was happy to put my body to bed.

This morning (Wednesday). It was a dull and chilly start. We were awake at 6 am, so I made us a cuppa and we got on with watching the Winter Para-Olympics whilst sitting in bed (Oh the luxury). 7.30 am I got up and made us some toast for breakfast and afterwards got up and dressed to take Paddy out for his walk, on the way out I topped up the bird feeders, ready for our usual feathered friends who come and eat everyday. After walking Paddy and stoking up the saloon stove, I walked up into town to see if I could get some rock solar lights for our garden. We were pretty sure the Factory Shop had some in, but when I got there, there were non to be seen, but I did come home with two propagation boxes for my seeds, so it was not a wasted trip. I also came home with a ball of White wool and a massage sponge for the bathroom, odd combination of things, but all needed.

The sun finally popped out during the afternoon, so Keith and I sat outside eating ice cream. I so love our mooring. A replacement top arrived for our new Parasol, so now we have two tops, one new one and one repaired by Keith. Thanks to the people we bought it from for being so prompt with their replacement.

We are having Pizza for dinner tonight, because Keith fancies one. His taste in food has really changed since he has been poorly .

Sunny weekend and hospital appointment

Spring looks to have sprung and so it was time to continue with the garden.

Whilst I got on with more weeding and digging, Keith sat and relaxed and soaked up some of the warm sunshine, which we have all been waiting for.

Paddy and Marmite were even allowed out. Paddy cannot get used to the fact that he is allowed to sit out on the pontoon and we do not call him back. Because it is our own private pontoon he has the run of it and so can enjoy being outside without being duffed up by other dogs. The only one doing the duffing up is Marmite.

Marmite wants to climb out of the garden, but there is no way we are allowing her off her lead when she is outside, because she will either get squashed by the cars on the busy road, or drown.

On Sunday the power was due to be switched off for a few hours, so Saturday evening I decided to get our washing done, so I could hang it out first thing on Sunday morning. I wanted to take advantage of the sunshine forecast. So with Saturday done and dusted, I was looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Sunday morning we woke to sunshine and so it was up early to hang out the washing I had done the night before. I then got on with sorting the boat chores out and walking Paddy, whilst Keith lounged in bed for a bit longer. Once he was up and dressed, we got on with the day which meant more digging and weeding for me and more relaxing for Keith. During the afternoon we did put up our Parasol, which Keith managed to fix. The thought of having to send it back just was a step to far for us both at this time and it was easily fixed with some cherry timber, wood glue and screws. I managed to finish the weeding before 3 pm, so we sat and watched England beat Wales in the Rugby and then it was time for tea and an evening watching Dancing on Ice. Whooo haaaa to Ray Quinn who won the final series.

Monday morning arrived after a great nights sleep. It was hospital day for Keith’s Liver function blood test. We left the boat at 10 am and caught the bus on a day rider ticket. The first bus took us to the bus station, where we caught the next bus to the hospital. On arrival, we went into the day room and put the TV on to watch the Para-Olympics, I then let the ward clerk know we were there and although Keith’s appointment was for 11 am Dr Collins (Tom) saw us at 10.45 am. Dr Collins managed to get just enough blood for the test. We are pretty sure no sooner Keith’s veins are shown the needle they go into hiding, but anyway the blood test was done and we were asked to wait around for the results, so we decided we would have lunch in the hospital canteen. Keith had the chilli and I had pizza and chips. Back up in the Willoughby Day room, the TV went back on to continue our viewing of the Olympics. What an amazing day a god and bronze medal to our skiers and our curling team also won. Finally at 2.15 pm Dr Collins came and gave us the results of the test and they were looking good. So now Keith has to wait for an appointment to have his t-tube removed. We have to arrange another blood test for two days before his hospital appointment to check his Liver function again, but we cannot do any of that until his appointment arrives. Keith was well and truly pooped by the time we got the buses back to the boat. It had been a long day for him.

Back at the arm we called into the office to buy a couple of magnums because Keith fancied an ice cream and then once back on the boat, I relit the stove in the saloon and made us a coffee. There was a knock on the boat and a delivery man was manhandling a very large box towards me. My new garden chairs had been delivered and very nice they look too.

So all in all a great weekend and a good start to a new week.

Sods Law.

Like many of you, since having a home postal address, I have got into the practice of ordering things off of the internet, to save me having to go into town to buy things and then lug then back to the boat. This is especially great when it is large items.

Because we are not moving this year, we decided it would be nice to have an outdoor parasol and stand on our pontoon, so we can sit out on the hottest of days and not get burnt to a crisp. Yes I am expecting some hot days this Summer. So I ordered from Amazon a 2m Green Luxury Wooden Parasol with Rope Pulley and a Cast Iron Effect Parasol Base.

The base arrived first thing via Royal Mail this morning and I am very happy with it. It is much bigger than I thought it would be and certainly a lot heavier, so I was really pleased.

An hour later the Parasol arrived via delivery van and man. The packaging was not brilliant, with a cardboard box covering half of the Parasol and a dustbin liner covering the rest and half of the box. On opening the parcel and partially opening the Parasol, it immediately became clear that the goods were not in good working order. One of the arms which holds the Parasol open was broken. Sods flippen law that I order something online and it is broken, so now I have the job of trying to send it back. Amazon does have a returns policy and I have filled out the request online and I am now waiting to get a reply from the company who supplied the Parasol.

I have looked on the companies website and they do not seem to have this size Parasol anymore, so I am guessing this was the last one grrrr. We will have to see what they come up with. I have e-mailed a photograph of the break as asked for, so it is now up to them.

After lunch Keith and I took a walk in the arm, as part of his daily exercise.

The bulbs we helped plant last November are showing their true glory now.

I do so love the Spring and the stunning colours after a dull Winter.

On the way back to the boat we sat on one of the many benches and sat and soaked up the warming sun and just watched the world go by.

Rain stopped play.

There was I hoping to get on with my digging and weeding today, only to wake up to the sound of the rain pounding down on the roof in the back cabin. So no digging or weeding today, because the ground was just to wet.

So having enjoyed a cuppa and toast in bed with my darling man, it was time to get on with the day. I relit the back cabin stove first, this was before I even got dressed .

All dressed, I took Paddy for his walk, he then got fed along with Marmite, who is always very vocal when it comes to getting her food.

Keith then got up, so I packed away the bed and checked on the fire.

We were in need of bread and cheese, so I left Keith playing on his laptop and I walked up to Sainsbury to get bread, cheese, toffee yogurts (Keith loves them at the moment) and some Lemon for Pancakes. I know they are late, but we did not fancy them on Shove Tuesday. Back at the boat I stowed the goodies away and then took five minutes out to take a breather. The rest of the day was spent doing very little, which makes a nice change for me. Keith did go off for a little walk, helping to build up his stamina, which has been knocked since his major operation. I think it is going to take many weeks before he is back to his normal self. Still with us not moving this year, he has plenty of time.

During the afternoon, I spent some time photographing the birds who had visited our bird feeders today. You can see the photographs in my Canal Flora and Fauna blog.

Last night we had the most amazing sunset. I loved the lines across the sky.

Some of you may know I have been interested in having a charm bracelet, but not the old school bracelet, I did that in the 70’s and even then I found the charms caught in my clothing, so this time I thought I would go for either Pandora or Troll. After discussions with friends on what they have I went for the Trollbeads bracelet. I managed to buy a bracelet and lock on Ebay and then it was time to look for beads. A  jewellery store in the town was selling off some of their glass beads for £5 each, they are practice beads, which would do me nicely as a starter. I then saw a couple of charms on Ebay which were in the auction, so I kept my beady eye on them.

Solid Silver Best Friends charm, which I love.

Solid Silver letter J, after all my name is Jo. Now I am looking for a letter K and a heart charm. I was so chuffed to get these charms and I only paid £4 each for them. At the moment they retail for around £23, so I think I got a bargain.

Trundling on.

Time flies when your having fun it seems and it has been over a week now since Keith came home from the hospital. He is having his good and iffy days, but eating wise he is doing much better.

Our day starts with a cuppa in bed and then I get up and stoke the saloon stove up whilst Keith watches the news in bed. I will take Paddy for his walk and when I get back I make Keith something for his breakfast, which at the moment is either toast or porridge. Keith will then get up when he is ready and I then roll the bed away into the bed ‘ole. I then get on with the days chores and cooking something for lunch. When we are on the move we have always eaten our hot meal in the evening, but we felt this maybe to heavy for Keith to go to bed on, so now I cook us something for lunch and we have something light to eat for our evening meal. Keith takes Omeprazole tablets to stop the build up of acid in the stomach every morning. We are hoping that once things settle down he maybe able to leave them off, but only time will tell. He is still using mouth wash and drop for throat thrush, which seems to be taking a while to go as his tongue is still coated in white stuff. I am sure it will go though.

I have been doing pretty much everything on the boat, which includes getting the coal in, filling the water tank etc, Keith is not strong enough to lift coal yet. I then go into town and do any shopping needed and sort all the other daily things out. Keith has been taking short walks each day to help to build up his strength, but it has to be done slowly. The other day I wanted to walk around the corner to the Pet Trust place to buy bird food and Keith wanted to come with me, so we set off nice and slowly. We got there bought the bird food and some chews for Paddy and set off back to the boat. This all but wiped Keith out, who was then out like a light in the chair. Time is a great healer and he will get their.

Today I have finally managed to get out in the garden.

I have been desperate to dig the garden over the get the dreaded weeds out, but with the wet weather it was impossible, so I just had to sit and watch the weeds grown. Other things die back in the winter, but the weeds continue to grow why is this?

So today was the day to start the digging. I managed to get half of the 70ft bed dug over, so I was well chuffed.

Paddy was very happy to sit out on the pontoon and watch me do all the work. Keith came out and pottered about for a while and chatted to a fellow boater, but he had then had enough so went back in and sat and watched some TV. After an hour and half I was done for the day with half the bed dug over. I have plans to put some veggies in this year as well as flowers as we are not moving, so watch this space to see how things grow.

The Mattress saga

Yesterday I told you about the new mattress we are buying for our back cabin bed and I said we had problems with one company. Well here is the e-mail conversation Keith had with this company.

 

Dear Sir/Madam, we are looking to replace our custom made mattress in our working narrowboat. It consists of 3 separate mattresses each measuring 24" by 48" by 4" thick. It is made this way as one of the sections forms a seat (for which we only require the foam as it will fit inside the existing "cushion" cover) and the other 2 sections to be complete mattresses in removable covers, one of which lives inside the cupboard opposite the seat, this cupboard serve 2 purposes to be ⅓ of the bed and to store the 3rd section of mattress and bedding during the day. The cupboard door folds down to meet the seat opposite, so by removing the centre section of mattress from the cupboard and placing on this cupboard door we have a 4' by 6' bed.

So if I can reiterate we require 2 mattresses fitted with removable covers measuring 24" by 48", and 1 piece of foam only (uncovered) measuring also 24" by 48".

We also require them to be orthopedic for both of us suffer with bad backs.

Could you please quote a price for the 3 sections of mattress.

Keith Lodge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was their initial reply:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

Please would you be able to send a hand drawn template for this and we can then quote for you.

Kind Regards

?????
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well I thought this only deserved one reply as follows:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear ?????, Template? Doesn't your company know what a 24" by 48" by 4" mattress looks like? To me it looks like a mattress that measures 24" by 48" by 4". I thought you were in the mattress making business? Seems not from your reply.

Keith Lodge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To which I received the following reply this morning:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

Apologies for this.

So all the pieces normal mattress shaped then? I will get back to you with prices.

Kind Regards

?????
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was soon followed by a further email with quoted prices and delivery estimate, to which I replied as follows:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many thanks for your reply, however we have opted for another companies offer.

Keith Lodge

Now my thinking is if you are part of a mattress making company you should be able to read dimensions and know what the customer wants. The company we have gone with Foamforcomfort, immediately rang me with answers to my questions. Another company Trusleep, answered one of Keith’s e-mails and we have not heard from them since, they have not even answered my phone call, even though I left a message and my number on their answering machine, despite the fact they said they will return the call as soon as they can, that was now 2 days ago. So that is two companies who lost our business. In this present climate companies need to step up to the mark if they want sales.

A few days on.

Hello, hello, hello.

An update on me and my Palpitations. Well I saw the practice nurse and she did BP, Sats, and checked to see if I had a beating heart and it appears my diagnosis of Palpitations was correct, which was a huge relief in many ways. She recommended me trying Kalms, which is a herbal remedy, rather than taking anything stronger, which I was of course happy to go with. Two tablets three times a day and see how I go was her recommendation and I have to say, so far so good. The Palpitations have settled a lot, that could be due to the tablets or due to the fact I have been sleeping better since Keith came home. Anyway I am fine.

Keith has been taking things easy, with a short walk in the Arm each day, to try and build up his muscle tone. I am not going to allow him to over do it, so it is gently does it. He is eating much better already and enjoying everything I cook for him. Today’s delight was Liver, mashed Potato, Peas and Carrots. The Liver was good for the iron, which he probably needs as well. I am happy cooking what ever he fancies at the moment.

A part from doing short walks every day, Keith is able to lounge in his recliner and watch Film 4 during the day, which will do him the world of good whilst he still recovers. He tried stopping the Paracetamol, but has gone back on to them due to pain coming back. So we will leave it a few more days before trying that again.

Everyone has been so wonderful with messages online on the blogs and facebook, but also our friends around us have given us such wonderful support. It is at times like this when you realise who your real friends are.

Paddy is still happy to have his dad home. He keeps going up to Keith to make sure he is really home, whereas Marmite could not careless. Paddy would really love to get up on to Keith’s lap for his cuddle, but that is not possible yet, so he has to come on my lap instead. Marmite did jump on Keith this morning, and thankfully there was no damage done.

Today I have ordered a new mattress for our back cabin bed. We have had the old one for some 6 years now and it has done its job. With Keith’s bad back and my sciatica a  new mattress was called for and with Keith not having any meat on his bones at the moment, he is finding the old mattress really uncomfortable. We went to Foamforcomfort, who were actually the only company who answered our e-mails or phone calls. One company actually asked us to send a template of the mattress. Duhhh if your a company that makes mattresses, should you not know what one looks like, especially as wen gave them all the dimensions. They did not get our business, but Foamforcomfort did. We now look forward to our delivery and a really comfortable nights sleep.

The weather is doing strange things. It is very mild and so we get sun one minute and showers the next. It must think it is already April.

All the bulbs we planted in the Arm last November are coming out.

Seeing the bulbs blooming has been a real delight for Keith, because he thought he may miss it all. So yesterday’s jaunt was to see the bulbs in bloom.