Monday 25th December Day 156
Christmas Day started at 6.30am after I’d stoked up the fire, switched on the xmas lights and set up The Snowman to watch on TV. It’s a little Christmas tradition as Chris has a lay in until I decide I’m too excited and make him a brew and wake him up ((You’re 48 years old Peachy. Isn’t it time you gave it up?)) Don’t be silly Brackets of course it’s right, why not be excited and happy by something in life if you can. I’m not religious but Christmas signals a time when life pauses a little for most people. I’ve done the long shifts in retail where you literally only get Christmas day off and then it’s straight into the boxing day madness sales but generally most people are spending time with their families or even having a day to themselves, whatever and however people spend it I think it’s nice that everyone is focused on taking time out.
Of course, boat life waits for no-one and once breakfast is eaten, it’s time to empty the toilet. Presents opened, we go for a walk to get ready for a massive Christmas dinner. There are a few people out doing the same and we all wish each other happy Christmas as we pass each other on the tow path. I Facetime my mum and family but due to her screen I end up talking to her shoulders! Isn’t technology amazing though that we can actually see our family ((even if it is just their shoulders))
We enjoy some Christmas movies which ends with me watching Die Hard when Chris slips off to bed. I open the curtains at one point to the most amazing bright moon. The sky is covered with lovely fluffy clouds and the stars are bright. It really is a wonderful evening and I’m glad I stayed up to watch it. On the stroke of midnight, I go to bed feeling very grateful to have had such a lovely day.
Day Done. x
Tuesday 26th December Day 157
Boxing day starts with a coffee in bed. ((Like it’s any different to any other day!)) and then we treat ourselves to croissants for breakfast. We’ve learnt the hard way not to have too much rich food in one day so we have it over a few days. I then get some writing done but cannot really get into it this morning so just do a bit of plotting, planning and checking some content on the chapters for the new book. ((And people want books for 99p after all the work!)) I know right, but then so do I! It’s hard because if you’re an avid reader, buying books at full cost would just be impossible for me and I would struggle to use libraries due to my location problem. I always feel a bit guilty buying the 99p kindle offers but it’s the easiest way and cheapest to get books if you read a lot and i’m planning to read more this year.
Also, I’m finding that pricing is finally starting to change on ebooks. I recently wanted to buy the new Richard Osman book but the kindle version was £11.99! ((How much!!)) I know, to me that is too much. Yes all the same work goes into creating the book but you don’t have a physical book in your hands at the end of it. I don’t know, it just seems to expensive for a book which sits on the kindle – what do you think?
After lunch and a walk, it’s that time of the Christmas calendar… the traditional game of Monopoly. I set the latest vlog to upload to Patreon whilst we are playing. The signal isn’t amazing here and in the end it takes around two hours to upload. It means our Patreon supporters can enjoy it ad free before it’s live on YouTube. After thrashing Chris at Monopoly and doing a few boat jobs the vlog is finally uploaded so then I set about scheduling it on Youtube as we enjoy another classic film; Big with Tom Hanks.
I wanted to make sure I had this weeks work all sorted as on Thursday we will be going to London and then Friday flying to jersey; as long as public transport behaves and the wind doesn’t cause a problem with the flights. Tomorrow we have to get the boat ready for leaving it for two weeks. We are planning on draining the hot water tank so there is no water in the pipes just in case we have we have freezing temperatures again. We also have to make sure books and other bits and bobs are moved in case there is heavy rain and possible leaks.
I’m trying to get my blog up to date as well so when I get to Jersey I don’t have too much to catch up on and can properly focus on the book as well as exploring the island.
Day done… x
Wednesday 27th December Day 158
Today consists of doing jobs and getting the boat ready which basically means eating lots of food as we are defrosting the fridge/freezer before we go as there is no point in having it running and using electric whilst we are away and it was due a defrosting so worked out well ((OMG this is so boring. I mean imagine someone reading this in hundred years’ time. It will probably be standard reading matter for anyone who is struggling to get to sleep.)) Look I’m just trying to show what boat life is like okay? Usually when we left the house to go on holiday we wouldn’t defrost the freezer; living on a boat makes you more energy conscious. I mentioned before that if they really do want to change people’s energy usage it’s not just about increasing the prices to make it unaffordable it’s about education of how much electric appliances use. Why have your fridge/freezer running 24/7 when away? Doesn’t make sense paying for something you’re not using. ((Alright Peachy get off your soapbox)) I’m not trying to be preachy just showing some of the difference between land and boat life.
Anyway, we are hoping we have done enough so we return to the boat in the same condition we left it with no leaks and no damage to anything inside the boat! It doesn’t help we’ve had all this dodgy weather ((It’s called winter!)) and there are massive floods in the UK whilst we are away!
I cannot help myself and decide to start on one of my jigsaws which was a Christmas present and then in the afternoon do a pre-pack where we realise we don’t have much room for anything since we can only take a rucksack so have to do a bit more sorting.I have to take my laptop as i need to work ((Work… saying nothing)).
Day done… x
Thursday 28th December Day 159
In real time it’s Friday 29th December and 16.24pm and I’m sitting in Luton airport in a booth whilst we wait for our flight. ((does this mean you are officially not on holiday then and are actually in work mode since you’re supposed to be going to jersey to do ‘research!’)) well, I wouldn’t go that far brackets. It’s a mixture of work and pleasure, although even the work part is pleasure. Hopefully a friend on the Island is taking me on a tour of the island so I can have a look at some of the locations. We will be visiting some of the locations via bus as well but my friend has done the walk which is featured in the book so great for me to get first hand experience… right back to yesterday and leaving the boat…
Travelling to London…
Today is the day that we leave the boat for 16 days. The longest we have left the boat since we bought it. It feels like leaving a child home alone for the first time.
After an absolute shocking night trying to sleep amid the rain and the wind which felt like we were in the middle of a tornado at times it really felt and sounded that bad. It felt as if someone had picked up the boat and chucked it back in the water.
We of course have to empty the toilet before we leave and get rid of the rubbish. We also drain down the water from the pipes just in case. Our pipes are plastic so very unlikely to have any problems and at the moment the weather doesn’t look like it will go below freezing but better to be sure. We then put the window sheets in and move things which could get wet if there are any drips and the standard bowls under the duck hatch. Without further ado and butties made, jobs done, we finish packing and leave the boat hoping it will be okay when we return.
Thankfully the bus is on time to get into Stafford and so when we arrive, we head for some coffee and toast ahead of the train. Anyone who travels in the UK knows the worry about getting a train or any form of public transport. You just cannot rely on it and sure enough we check the trains and it seems every other train is either delayed or cancelled due to a tree down on the tracks which I’m not surprised after last night’s terrible weather! Luckily for us it hasn’t affected own train which is on time but because of the other cancellations the one we get on is ram packed but as we have booked our tickets in advance, we have a reserved seats but we do have to ask someone to get out of our seats. It’s direct to London Euston so we can relax which is good as our bags are so heavy. We decided not to pay the 42 million pounds ((Don’t exaggerate it was only about £45 for 1 bag to check in!)) Disgusting that’s more than the bloody flight so everything has gone has hand luggage so we are hoping the bags won’t be too big! We will see.
We arrive into London and get into the rush of people all trying to get where they are going and lots of confused people going in all directions. We finally realise we need to leave Euston station and get to Euston Square which is part of the underground network. I’m not really a massive fan of the underground. I would rather use the buses but this is the best option from here. We soon arrive at our stop Aldgate and then it’s a short walk to our Travelodge hotel. We are all checked in, bags dumped and back out in record time and go to wander the streets of London. We head for St Catherines Dock and Tower Bridge area. It is SO busy. Probably many of the people are there for the NYE celebrations and it’s actually quite a nice day so hence why so busy. Tower Bridge never fails to impress. I will tell you a story about that tomorrow as this blog is already getting a bit long ((A bit!))
When we arrive at St Catherines dock we are wandering around looking at the massive yachts and widebeams moored and then see that the bridge starts rising as a boat is going into the lock so enjoy watching that. When we come to London on the boat we won’t come to this docking area as the boat goes from Limehouse. It’s exciting to think that one day… and maybe soon we might be going under Tower Bridge on our boat!
After a long wander around we head to the pub to meet my friend whose apartment we are staying in Jersey. We then wander the streets once again ((you will be getting a reputation)) and find a Pizza Union restaurant which we have used before. There are a few in London and the pizzas are amazing and very reasonably priced. Then it’s back to the hotel as we are both shattered and are in bed by 8.30pm!
Day done. x
Friday 29th December Day 160
We are up early ((I’m not surprised after being in bed at 8.30pm!)) and out wandering to find somewhere to stop for a breakfast before doing our usual in London which is just walking around and if we see something interesting then we head in that direction. It’s amazing how the modern fits in with the old buildings. London is an amazing place although I can see why the rest of the country is in such a mess. The roads are barely usable in the North and it’s quite clear it’s because all the money is being spent in London. The amount of new buildings and work being carried out is phenomenal, there is certainly no holding back on the purse strings. You can see why cities and towns are crumbling north of London.
After 2.5hours walking we head back to the hotel for a little rest before checking out and securing our heavy backpacks and finding a bus. I can highly recommend this mode of transport in London if you have heavy bags and don’t want to wander around especially if you can get on the top deck. I love watching the world go by and looking at all the different areas and not just the tourist ones. My parents are both Londoners so it feels like I’m home in my stomping ground even though I was born and bred in Yorkshire.
We get off at Camden and obviously have to go and look at the locks we will one day be going through. I really hope we try and aim for a quiet day, if there is such a thing as a quiet time in Camden. We have a quick drink before realising we had better get a move on as we are booked on a train from St Pancras to Luton interchange where we catch a shuttle bus to the airport. We are pleased we book in advance as if we paid now it would £22 each just to travel the relatively short distance. ((Don’t go moaning about the costs again Peachy we all know the transport is shockingly expensive and unreliable!))
It’s quite cool going on the shuttle tram thing whatever it is called. I’ve filmed it for YouTube – you feel like you’re on a roller-coaster. We finally arrive at the airport and this once seems more chilled out than East Midlands Airport and they have separate cubicles to put all your stuff into trays and then we are waved through and that’s all done.
We find a table in a restaurant as it’s rammed everywhere and our old bones cannot sit on floors anymore so we pay the 92 million pounds to have a couple of drinks. We will be broke by the time we arrive in Jersey ((It’s a good job it’s a ’working’ holiday then isn’t it! Maybe you can claim some of it on business expenses)) Even business expenses mean you still have to pay for it!
The flight goes on time and after about 40 minutes flight time we arrive into Jersey. I love it here and it feels like home which is why I set the book here and have another in the pipeline ((And another one set in New Zealand… erm… you’re taking this research/expenses thing a bit too far!)) . Out of the airport as we don’t have to wait for bags and we get on the bus, then it’s a five minutes walk to my friends apartment and a goodnight from us.
Until tomorrow. x
Saturday 30th December Day 161
After having a lay in we decide to have a wander around St helier which is the capital of Jersey and the main built-up area on the island so you have a main street with all the standard shops along it, although they have lost many of the high street names, the same as the UK. It’s just as windy over here and more so on the beach but the worst winds are to come. I don’t know if anyone saw on the news about the Tornado which hit jersey. It’s done so much damage to properties and businesses along it’s path it’s really sad to see all the scaffolding up on the streets when we go for our island tour next week.
I cracked on with some more editing and writing in the afternoon. I’m getting pretty sick of re-reading and adding to the book. For the millionth time I wish I’d planned more! ((Just get on with it and stop moaning oh and don’t forget the Tower Bridge story you started the other day!)) Oh yeah, so my friend ((Imaginary)) and I visited to London and we had one too many glasses of sparkling water so decided to get a large coffee and put the shades on and hopped onto the tour bus to enjoy the delights of London without breaking our delicate bodies. There were, I think, three different routes you could take. Anyway we went around a couple of times and then decided we would get off but I think the bus must have changed to a different route and didn’t go past our hotel so we decided to stay on until it changed. Well, we must have travelled over Tower Bridge about a million times ((Don’t exaggerate!)) okay, 999,999 times and did you know that you should never confuse London Bridge with Tower Bridge which is a common mistake! I think the commentary finished us off after we’d heard this 999,999 times by the end of it ((Well, that was worth the wait… not!))
I’ve not kept count the last few days but after a quick check I’ve added just over 4k to the Jersey mystery book so really happy with that. ((About time you did some actual work since it’s actually a work trip))
Day done… x
Sunday 31st December Day 162
And just like that it’s New Years Eve. My dad would have been 81 today. It’s 23 years since we lost him which is just bonkers. NYE was always a big party night in our house growing up due to it being his birthday and the shouts of Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi bring back fond memories. It’s also a friend’s birthday so it’s nice to still celebrate although going out and getting drunk in a throng of people is something from the past now and to honest i don’t think we could afford it with the cost of drinks and food.
It’s extremely windy again today as another storm batters the Island as well as the UK. I’ve been sent pictures of the flooding which has hid the East Midlands where I used to live very badly and much of the UK has some flooding. Must be so devastating for people. Also i’ve seen pictures of narrowboats overturned which of course makes us worry about our boat, which we hope is tied up safely in a marina on a canal which will fair better than one on a river or so we hope. ((Me too Peachy!)) I think they recorded 67mph winds at the airport here. We nip out to get some shopping and are nearly blown off our feet.
Some friends on the Island ((Friends of your friends who you just add to your friendship list. Make no wonder you have so many ‘friends’ It doesn’t sound like they have much of a choice!)) invited us for New Years Eve drinks and nibbles so we have a fab time with them having a good old gossip before deciding to walk back to the apartment at about 11.20pm. The wind has died down a little so it’s a cold but pleasant walk home which takes us through the tunnel which is where book 2 in my psychological thriller starts. So, once again this is great research for how it feels walking through at night. Just as we arrive on the other side to the sound of fireworks, it turns midnight! What a wonderful way to start what will hopefully be an amazing year of exploring.
I know when you’re reading this we will be well into January so I hope it’s been a fabulous start for you. We cannot wait to start our first full year cruising the canal network. We are going to aim to leave the marina end of February or before, if we’ve got all our jobs done and the weather is kind. We will see!
Until tomorrow or next week. xx
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C.L. Peache 