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.

Snow

So, slightly delayed, but I could not let the spring come before I put a couple of photos of the snow on the blog..

Clearly I should not have New Years resolutions!!

IIt's 7am on Saturday 13th March and my first post since new years, so much for the resolution that I should write more, however as the year progresses and the journey starts more entries will appear and the journey is to travel along the canals for 1 year!!! 

It's still cold, I am wondering if winter will ever end. I look at the weather forecast every day to see the temperature only to be disappointed, but if course on the bright side the days are getting so much lighter so the walk to work (and walk home when I leave work on time) is nicer.

We have now sold the car, coping very well as have the use of my parents one.   Only
2.5 months to go!!! 

It's Christmas!!!

Time has really flown by.. Its is now Boxing day and we have lived on the boat since September. Learnt loads about living afloat.

So what has happened?

• Moved out of the house fully, (well we have 2 rooms at home) and our friend has moved in.
• We discovered that we have been starting the engine incorrectly!, so after 3 months of having the boat, it was a chance conversation with our boat repair man that he said something about warming the glow plugs and holding the button in, we knew about the button, but not didn't realise that it needed to be pressed.. On our defence, we were shown incorrectly
• Have learnt to live with less space, trying to been tidy as its gets cluttered very easily
• Matilda has settled in well.. apart from she stopped eating for 4 days, happily she is now eating some tuna as I type...
• Still no TV, however, not missing it (yet)
• Been walking to work - takes an hour, but its lovely to walk along the canal.

Think that's all for now, need to get ready as going out for Boxing day.. New years resolution.. to write more!