I know i keep faffing a bit with times for the blog as i work out which people prefer. It’s seems a mixture of all in one blog and individual days so this is the whole week ahead but if you just want to read each day then ignore this and check back tomorrow. Just remember they are a week behind as i have to live it before i write it! 🙂
Monday 30th October – Day 106
It’s an early morning start as the clocks have gone back so it’s means we are awake at 6.30am so on goes the coffee pot! The drizzly rain starts so we decide a morning faffing on the boat is required. After lunch, it’s then time to untie the ropes and off we go as we have a little break in the weather. We are only a few mins from the services at Gailey and are soon moored up and it’s time to empty the cassettes, water and rubbish.
A chap walks past and has a giggle at the name of our boat. It never fails to make people chuckle and I point out that the boat is well named for us and he mentions the garage just up the road which sells alcohol ((Some reputation you’re building up Peachy!))
As we get ready to set off, I walk the very short distance to the lock and the family in front kindly help us with the lock. For some reason ((I can think of a few)) I thought there was only one lock to do today and I’m just making a coffee when Chris shouts he can see the lock landing! Oops, we arrive to a couple just entering in the lock in their boat so I wander up to open one of the gates and then let them crack on filling it as there is only one ground paddle working, so pop back to the boat to finish my coffee. Then it’s our turn to get in the lock and very quickly ((yeah right, veery quickly! On a narrowboat!)) we arrive to Boggs Lock.
The next lock comes quickly ((again, pull the other one!)) and so does the threat of a black cloud menacing above and coming our way. We resolve to moor up once through the lock. There is a woman very kindly refilling the lock as we arrive. There is a general rule that if two boats arrive at a lock; one at each end then it depends how full/empty the lock is as to who gets to go in first. She said it was in our favour so opened the paddles to fill it for us as we are going down. We have a natter as you do and then her other half joins us and I have a chinwag with him about the impeding weather of doom. He tells me to jump on board so I get a rare treat of us both being in the lock.
The promised drops of rain arrive soon after and it’s raining in earnest as we try to find a piece of armco. Finally, we spot some and Chris starts putting up the cratch covers as I pull the boat in and tie it up. The joys of boating at this time of year, the towpath is very wet and very muddy! It’s a good job we decided to moor up as soon after it proper chucks it down and we decide to stay put even though this mooring has the loud rumblings from the vehicles on the M6.
Later on, the rain subsides for a bit so we decide to brave the very muddy and wet towpath to get to the local co-op for supplies. I can see what boaters say about the towpaths in winter and we are thankful once again for our cratch covers to be able to get changed out of muddy wet clothes before getting into the boat. We have wellies and waterproofs and they are being well used at the moment!
Miles: 1
Locks: 4
Tuesday 31st November Day 107
We um and ah for a while but in the end decide to stay put. On this stretch the boat services are very close together and then it’s a long stretch without them to Great Haywood so it makes sense. I have the last few days of vlogs to catch up on and this blog to update so decide to crack on with that in-between waiting for the notification for our Amazon delivery to arrive at the locker in a co-op not far away, this is one of the ways we get post and parcels when living on the boat.
We also decide to tackle the 2 windows which have been leaking, we’ve now siliconed them with sikaflex – which is horrible sticky black stuff but they remained dry with the overnight rain so that’s something and another job done! Fingers crossed that works in the long term and we don’t have to take out the windows when next in the marina.
The internet is a bit slow here despite our aerial so it’s slow going with the uploads and downloads but I finally manage to film, edit and upload my vlog on how much our narrowboat cost and schedule some of the vlogs for the next 7 days as I plan ((Due to the time space continium the vlogs are already on YouTube!)) to realise a vlog each night at 6pm.
It’s a shock as the darker nights are now with us so we enjoy watching a film called The Mummy with Tom Cruise. It looked like it got a slating when it came out but we enjoyed it. Tomorrow it’s the start of NaNoWriMo for me so time to finally crack on with some good old writing!
Day done. Until tomorrow. x
Wednesday 1st November – Day 108
((Pinch punch first day of the month and no return!)) Damn it! I got Chris this morning so I’m not too mad you got me! The change of clocks is still affecting us so we are awake at 6.30am and I get the coffee on. Checking the bowls, it does seem like the fix has worked and the windows are no longer leaking.
I set to tackling the mountain of pots I didn’t wash up last night after we had a fabulous pasta meal using up some left-over veggies. We really need a ‘proper’ shop but will have to wait until we get to Stafford area for the Aldi, as it’s too expensive to get a full shop from places like the co-op.
We have decided to stay near Penkridge for a few days as they have a bonfire do on Saturday night. Pots washed i decide to do then do a clothes wash as we are going to have a little cruise this morning with possibly only one or two locks depending on mooring spots so will have enough time to finish the wash so the power doesn’t drain our batteries.
I think I’ve spoken about NaNoWriMo before but basically, it’s a worldwide event which some authors take part in. The idea is to write 50,000 words in November which works out at approz 1,666 per day. Today, I added 1,795 so pretty happy with that. Ideally, I like to get ahead early on but we have been faffing with boat jobs, editing etc but hoping i can get a good couple of writing days under my belt before we start cruising again.
Miles:1 Locks: 3
Wordcount: 1,795 total 1,795
Thursday 2nd November – Day 109
We are moored up in nice spot and decide to stay here for a few days as there is another storm incoming and since we used the services yesterday, we are okay to loiter for a few days.
I spend the morning uploading more vlogs and trying to get them up to date and then it’s time to crack on with my book. I’m trying to upload and create the vlog within a few days of filming so I can vaguely remember what happened but also clear storage on my phone. Sadly, I didn’t receive my novel back from my publisher which I was waiting for so I decided to crack on with my psychological thriller. For those who don’t know. This was the first book I wrote back in April 2018 and it’s been faffed with so many times over the years but the time has never seemed quite right ((Just get on with it Peachy. We are all sick of waiting and your mum is going go apocalyptic on you soon if you don’t publish it)) I know, I know.
There are few reasons for the delay, ((5 years is more than a delay)) there have been other books to write, life has got in the way. I’ve set it to one side as I needed to decide on who were my target audience, I faffed about with tense and first person, third person and everything else in between as I’ve tried to make the book what I want it to be. This is the one book my beta readers are always asking me about 5 years on. They all still ask me about it now so it shows how well the characters and stories resonated with people. It’s going to be a series of I don’t know how many yet. I’ve written 2 and started on the third.
Now I feel it’s the right time and I can do it justice. I feel like I’ve developed enough as a writer and whilst I’m sure the editor will pick up many mistakes, my writing is now at a point where I feel ready to get this book done!
So, during NaNoWriMo the aim is to work on two projects. One the editing and changing the point of view of the main characters and adding more description and detail to the psychological thriller and then when I receive my book back from the publisher, I will work on that which is more of the same! ((and some people say you don’t work hard!)) I know right, I’ve never worked so hard.
We have a wander into Penkridge for supplies before the heavy rain arrives and then spend the day faffing and re-arranging stuff on the boat. We are near a charity shop so are having a good clear out. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit on a boat and it was feeling cluttered. ((We know you’re only doing it so you have more space for your Christmas decs!)) shhh Brackets!
Until tomorrow…x
Wordcount: 1,699 Total: 3,494
Friday 3rd November – Day 110
It’s been a beautiful bright day today and we cannot get enough of the solar so we get out the portable solar panel to charge the power bank so we are harnessing the as much sun as we can. It doesn’t provide much charge but it’s free! We’ve also noticed that the power bank will not charge to its maximum efficiency when it’s cold, they don’t tell you that on the info so we now put it somewhere near the fire to warm up before we charge it and that seems to work. Obviously not too close to the fire!
Today we decided the tackle the large unit we have in the living area. It’s a beast of a piece of furniture but is great storage and looks good on the boat. We want to try and lift the unit so it sits on the gunnels. That will then give a few precious extra inches ((I’m saying nothing)) in the main area. We also want to have a declutter as now we are way into our adventure, we know what we need and what we don’t need and a boat can feel cluttered very easily!
The boat has to be a mixture of practical and homely and requires a clever use of the spaces. Like creating any home, it all takes time and I’ve talked before about how we use the boat differently depending on our location, especially the difference between being in a marina and cruising the cut. When in a marina the boat is plugged into the mains so the items we have like the power bank we use to run the tv and the solar panel and various other bits and bobs we don’t need but they still need a place somewhere on the boat.
Anyway, the unit fits, hurrah, so we then order some new legs for it to match the cherrywood. Not only have we gained extra space in the main area but we now have room for baskets underneath the unit for things like kindling, logs etc for the fire which we means we can get rid of the drawer unit we were using – again creating space and getting rid of clutter. We also move the coat hangers around a bit to make that area look a bit better. Still more to do but every time we faff it becomes more homely ((Again… you’re just trying to clear the other unit so you have space for a Christmas tree!)) Shhhh, Brackets. Don’t tell Chris about my cunning plan!
I manage to get some writing done before I start on the wine after visiting the postoffice to collect the feet for the unit ((She has a few too many to drink…)) and we listen to some music to the odd firework going off. We were going to go to the bonfire do in Penkridge tomorrow but the weather looks suitably terrible for tomorrow so we will see!
Wordcount: 1,211 total: 4,705 before you say anything Brackets we were boat faffing all day!
Saturday 4th November – Day 111
We have a nice relaxed late morning lay in ((Due to the alcohol consumed! And late morning Peachy means 1pm)) I watch a bit of Peaky Blinders in bed before we fill ourselves with a veggie sausage and onion sandwich and tackle the unit to put the new feet on. As you can imagine the whole boat in an absolute tip as we have to move everything out and then I decide to also give the kitchen a really good clean. But hey ho, by then end of the day we have sorted it, put everything back and the boat is looking fab.
I sit down to update this blog as I need to get my wordcount in and I’m not quite ready to get started on the novel my publisher has now sent me. It’s not straight forward as I have to read the edit notes and the amend and add as I go along which takes a bit more thought ((50,000 words woohoo)) Wow, you’re right Brackets. I’ve just past 50,000 words on this blog since I set off on Wednesday 19th July! ((Tell you what, your year in a life living on the canals is going to take some editing when this is only 4 months into a 12 month adventure! Good luck with that Peachy!)) I think I will need it. Do you think I waffle too much?((Saying not one thing!))
Tomorrow we are hoping to cruise to Stafford. It’s funny really that you get the feeling to move. Apparently, there is some link to the canals with Chris’s family which we will have to find more about so maybe it is like coming home to him. I never thought I would live on a boat but I’ve always been up for adventure!
Wordcount: 844 total: 5,549 ((Is that all?? You have literally had all day!)) Yeah I know but I have editing and stuff today which takes up the time. ((I suggest you get on with if you’re going to have a few days off next week to see friends!)) Yes Boss!
Until tomorrow… x
Sunday 5th November – Day 112
It’s up early for me as I wake up at 5am and it’s one of those rare times where I felt refreshed and decide… well why not, so I got up and cracked on with writing. I managed about 1k so was pretty happy with that as I’m also editing as I go along. It lovely to watch the day dawn as the moon is still bright in the sky and the wispy red clouds of dawn make way for a beautiful day to cruise.
First job, is to take the Elsan to the services on the trusty electric bike as we intend to stop at Stafford for a few days and the next boat services point is Great Haywood once again! ((Don’t forget to tell everyone how you forgot to put the lid on the blue liquid you use for the toilet so it leaked into the carrier bag)) Yes, yes, you don’t have to tell everyone every mistake I make! I wonder if it will be like this every year as we approach winter, that we end up loitering in one area for a while before setting off for a new canal and a new stretch when the weather changes.
We then pop to the boat moored behind us as Chris got talking to the couple and she is writing a canal book so we got chatting and exchanged emails so I can hopefully help her ((She does really she will never be a success if she listens to you…)) Hey… ((well to be fair you did advertise your fantasy series and sold one book so you know… next stop…)) we end up chatting for an hour and then at 10am it’s off we go.
First up of four locks today on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal is Longford Lock after only a few minutes and then in short order Park Gate Lock and Shutt Hill Lock. In between doing locks I have the washing machine on the go to make the most of generating electric whilst cruising. I pop in to finish off the washing and then make us a coffee and some toast as by this point we have been cruising for an hour and a half and since I was up early I want food.
Food and coffee consumed I stay outside to enjoy the beautiful blue skies and views. It’s a little chilly but we will take this kind of cruising weather any day of the week.
Before too long we arrive at Deptmore lock – this is the deep one if you remember from the way up. Stunning views from this high up. Once out we cruise past the fields which flooded on the way up. I’m going to try and show some before and afters on the vlog when I get around to editing it. ((That will be out in like 2026 so don’t hold your breath!)) Actually, it should be vlog number 47 which will be live on Sunday 10th December! (Ohhh, get you being all organised. Remember whose telling you this people, don’t hold your breath!))
We arrive at our mooring spot near Radford Bridge and then it’s a quick visit to Aldi for essentials and then I treat myself to a power nap since I was up so early. Then the afternoon is filled with making a Sunday dinner, editing my novels, writing this blog and just possibly a film.
Right, that’s it for this week. Don’t forget the vlog is alive and last week I put a vlog up about the cost of the narrowboat and then one each night so plenty to binge watch on a rainy day.
Miles: 5 Locks: 4
Until next week… xx
Wordcount: 1,202 total: 6,751 ((Down on the wordcount again Peachy! Tut Tut!))
YouTube link… https://youtu.be/RpFzn0FUGUA?si=MyNmdg1acvQA8WGB
C.L. Peache 