Still in Cowley...

2 followers... woo hoo.. thank you.

Spent the past 2 days relaxing, it has been the first time since I have left work that I have not needed to alarm clock, fantastic!

Yesterday spent the day making decisions on how our cratch cover should look. As we are getting it made to measure, we are able to decided where the zips go, size of windows, if the window covers are on the inside or the outside. Glenda is very talented at what she does, I am really looking forward to it being completed.

Today, we visited a friend who is in a care home. She is 93 and very heathy, however, her mind is not as sharp. We were keen to see her before we left as it may be sometime before we can see her again. As we are car-less, we went via the bus all the way from West Drayton to West Ruislip - was not a bad journey. Scott wanted to stop off in Uxbridge for a Subway and try out his Subway app - but as it was in the middle of the lunch hour rush,we decided to continue onto West Drayton. I did not want to be one of those annoying people who have all day but decide to shop during the lunch hour, I mean why do retired people always have to shop in Marks and Spencer during the busy lunch time rush?

Stop press.

Well after 6 hours of trying to make a fender with rope everywhere I have decided that this is not the hobby for me. Knew I should have bought the 'roses and castle' painting kit!

Day one!

We have left the safety of the marina today and are now moored just outside so that we can get the cratch cover done.  Glenda (the cratch cover lady) said it will take a week but I hope it's quicker as I am eager to get travelling. However on the bright side it does mean that we can get a few odd jobs done on the boat before we set off.  

The canal today is very busy, lots of hire boats, which i guess is because of half term. So have spent the morning watching them go up and down the canal. We were the only ones moored here, but now we have company. 

The weather is not so good, so do not feel like going out. I have to admit that even though it's very relaxing I am a tad bored. With that in mind  I have been waiting for a hobby to present itself and other than writing a journal until saturday I was hobbyless, however I have now bought myself a fender making kit, so watch this space. 

At the weekend we went to Crick boat show and saw some lovely widebeam boats - maybe one day! On Sunday we went out with friends for a farewell drink. A good time had by all. 

I have now noticed that I have a follower (thank you father!) however I do know that other people are reading this so knowing that it makes all the rambling worth while. 

A quick update

With the pending departure and preparations well under way, the pressure is on to ensure that this blog is a document of our journey. Concerning for me is the number of people who have asked for deatils of this blogwhich really does mean that I need to I keep this blog updated and interesting (I hope).

So as I have finally given away this blog address to people I figured that some background about our trip may be of interest.

I have lived on a canal boat with my Husband Scott and cat Matilda for a number of months now. We have learnt loads about living on the waterways from tying knots to driving the boat, from cooking in a smaller kitchen to lighting the fire, from using a launderette to learning to live with less ironing. We are aware of the amount of electricity we use and are careful of our water usage. It has been a wonderful journey of learning a whole range of new skills.

Next week, we are leaving the safety of the marina where we have electricity and water on tap to venture out on the open waters. Yes, we have been on holiday and weekends away, but this is it, no coming back to the familiar sounding of the marina. We are leaving our old lives for a year long adventure.

The plan for the next few days is a mixture of seeing friends and getting things ready to leave next week.. (gulp)

Moved the boat today

We moved the boat today and are now moored just outside the marina in order to get a cratch frame made and fitted.

Matilda went for a wonder and after a episode of desperate housewives I was concerned as she had not returned. Decided to do the old faithful trick of shaking the food box, but still no sign, getting a tad worried until I saw her getting onto a boat which was not ours. Bless her, think she got a tad confused. Well I guess all the boats look the same to a cat!!

I am going to try to see if I can upload pictures from the phone to this blog, you think there would be an app for that, but can I find it??

Last day at work

I could not let this day end without mentioning my last day at work. It was emotional and I was teary by 10.30am with still the rest of the day ahead if me.

I am really am going to miss them all so much, the affection and support that the team have for each other is so special and I have never worked in a place like it.

We had a lovely evening in the pub and I was showered with good wishes, cards and gifts.

I am going to email them my Blog details so I start writing stuff on it on a regular basis.

Thank you hillingdon team for such a lovely send off and keep in touch.

History in the making

What a wonderful weekend, the weather has been fantastic.. Its also history in the making, due to the ash cloud from the vocano in Iceland there are no flights in and out of Heathrow. It is amazing how the air is so much cleaner. However, I have not read any articles from Enviromentalist taking up this opportunitiy to study something related to this opportunitiy, so I do hope that somewhere, someone is near the airprt with an array of machinary calculating the impact of living near the worlds most businesses airport.

Today , I have been sitting on the front desk doing a bit of work. It got so hot, I had to go back inside the boat.

Nothing much has happened boat wise, just getting prepared for the journey. We have completed a shopping list of things we need to purchase such as new ropes, spare fenders and mooring pins. We did go to Southall to see a band play, we moored up and took a walk into Southall to puchase some curry and took it back to the boat to eat. It was lovely, far better than an indian resturant and all very fresh.

Matilda is still loving the boat life, she has done some wondering onto other boats but I am always in the fear that she is going to fall in again. Being in the Marina, I do wonder, if she did fall in how she would get out as there is no bank for her to grab onto.

So this is me for now.. I have attached some more photos, only 4 weeks left at work, I have a feeling that they are going to be longest 4 weeks ever.