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Have I Got News for You…

Hello again dear reader and welcome back to boatbirdland.

It’s been a while, I know…

At last, I have some mildly interesting news to share. Hobo is booked in for bottom blacking in May. This is now seriously overdue, largely (but not soley) due to Covid. John and I will be taking her to Stetham Ferry on the Old West river, where a very nice man called Ken will do the business in his drydock.

We went there on recommendation, to meet with him and get the feel of the place. It’s important to me that I feel happy with where and with whom I leave my home of almost 17 years. After a quick and reassuring chat, I handed over the required deposit, instantly shedding the guilt I’ve been feeling about neglecting the old girl.

The really exciting bit though is that we get to go on a cruise. It will only take a few days to get there, the actual length of time depending on how we play it. For once, we won’t be on a mission and plan to take our time and do some exploring. We fancy a nosey at the Lodes, narrow, shallow waterways that run through fenland and come off the Cam. From what I can gather, they should be fairly devoid of other boats and spectacularly scenic, quiet and peaceful. I will of course regale you with the tale and pictures when the time comes.

Ken will need Hobo for five days. Five days when Foxy and I can’t live on board. Not a problem for me; my brother has a mobile home in his garden with all mod cons – mains water, electricity and a Flushing Toilet bejabbers! I shall be very comfortable there, as I morph seamlessly from river gypsy to trailer trash. Again, pictures and full story to follow.

Sadly though I can’t take Foxy there, leaving me no option other than to send him to jail. I’m really not happy about this but there is a highly regarded cattery at the end of the lane here so, subject to a successful recce, this is what I must do. I shall miss him terriby and hope he forgives me…

He will of course cruise with us, then we will drive him to/fetch him from from his temporary lodgings.

But, before all that and probably soon, we plan to do a little trip out – probably just a day or two – to get us and Foxy back in boat mode. We did a jaunt back in October, just up to the end of the navigation here where, conveniently, there just happens to be a pub. We were only off the mooring some four hours but boy did it feel good, Hobo behaved beautifully as ever and started on the first turn.

We’d not done this end of the Lark before and found it to be much more windy and river-like than the downstream end, which is a long, straight ditch to be honest.

Just a few pics…

A lovely day.

Last, but by no means least, I ask you for a favour. John has a friend in South Africa who is doing sterling work with sick and injured animals from the poor communities there. I have seen these townships, their people and animals and appreciate the hardships they face.

I have met Helene, who I know to be fiercly hardworworking and dedicated to this cause. I have seen some of her work too – the befores and afters – so can vouch for her success rate, both in treatment and re-homing. John also gets involved when he is out there and has fostered several dogs and treated them.

I don’t normally do appeals but the situation in South Africa right now is dire. We think we’ve got it tough but it’s nothing compared to what’s going on down there. The electricity supply is sporadic, amounting on some days to a couple of hours in the morning and maybe a couple more at night. Can you imagine what that’s doing to businesses? They will soon no longer be able to operate at all. And as for the poor folk, who struggle at the best of times, they now simply can’t afford to eat.

Helene normally enjoys a lot of support from her local area but, in these very difficult times, much of that has dried up, which has made it necessary for her to appeal further afield.

Please click on the link below and help if you can.

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/outreach-vehicle

There’s another, more informative link with pictures but I cant get it to work. I will keep trying…

Tags: boating, cats, narrowboat, South Africa

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Categories Rivers, south africa, Uncategorized

Taking Another View..

19 Nov

Nothing much to report since all the excitement of last month’s move, except to say that I am enjoying different views…

Just across the water in my little ditch.

It’s a fact that you only have to move a mile or so along the river to gain a completely different perspective. Any new mooring brings a fresh outlook and my little jaunt round to Moorhen is no exception.

I can actually see the sunset better from here…

My old spot on Lockside was brilliant for sunrises…

But, if you know me at all, you’ll know I didn’t get to see many of those!

Hobo has turned a full 180 from where she was.

The full moon as seen from Hobo’s bow was stunning…

The soundtrack is different too. Notably, I hear more human noises, but I’m getting used to that and it’s OK. I still get to enjoy the owls hooting but now also the cows mooing. I continue to hear Mildenhall’s finest overhead and, if it sounds interesting, I can still jump up and do plane spotting.

Water levels are incredibly low at the moment – Hobo is only inches off the bottom. I can see right under the decking…

Which is weird.

As viewed from the kitchen sink, the grass would normally be at eye level but at the moment I get a reflection of me washing up!

Suffice to say that Foxy and I are happy here and enjoying our new home…

I’m loving the benefits of being close to the car, services and simplified deliveries of coal, gas etc. I am not missing The Long Trek at all, and Foxy is eagerly exploring and establishing his new territory…

There’s a short-haired black cat he interacts with. They stare at each other and make weird noises – not sure if it’s a love or hate relationship.

Time will tell.

Tags: cats, narrowboat, photography

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Uncategorized

It was the best of moorings…

8 Oct

… it was the worst of moorings. To misquote the bard.

For the last couple of years, I have enjoyed, arguably, the best spot on the island. Very private and secluded…

Perfect peace and tranquility.

With stunning views of the river…

Not to mention the wildlife…

Foxy has enjoyed roaming free. This way…

And that…

And nosing about in other peoples’ gardens.

Climbing trees…

Or generally hanging out with Hobo…

Doing what a boat cat does.

My best buddy…

The hunting has been jolly good, judging by the number of little gifts I’ve been given.

He’s loved it here. As have I. Largely left to my own devices, yet with help and company available when needed, I have had the very best of both worlds. It’s been a joy.

But every silver lining has a cloud.

It’s not the most practical, as in being a jolly long walk to and from the car, and with a giant bridge to scale…

Not ideal for this ageing boatbird.

Factor in some tricky logistical nightmares when it comes to getting coal/gas/shopping to the boat – especially during the winter months…

And it has taken its toll.

So, it is with heavy heart, I have decided to move to a different spot on the island, kindly offered to me by the management. Berths here don’t come up too often so am grateful to be considered. It’s not as private or secluded as where I am now, but is still bankside and does have a neat, manageable garden and good terraced decked area and flat lawn…

I’ll be able to get the car really close to the mooring…

Also the bins and the post room are nearby. Deliveries of coal, gas, shopping etc can come right to the boat, and I’ll not have to climb that bridge Ever Again! I’ll be straight onto tarmac too over there so the wellies can be consigned to history – unless of course I feel the need for a bit of welly wearing.

So the roof and bow are packed with outdoor paraphernalia…

Proper pikey.

Hobo starts first turn and ‘Harbourmaster’ John unties the ropes, shoves us out and perches on the roof. We are off. Yay!

Through the lock…

Which has been set for us by Jo…

Then hang a left, a quick zig and a zag, to put us on the little backwater that is to become Hobo’s new home. I ease expertly (still got it) onto the berth where John ties us up again. We’re in.

My new next door neighbour is there to greet me making me feel instantly welcome. I have to say that this mini chug along the river was so enjoyable it made me want to get cruising again. Well it has been two years since Hobo went anywhere, largely due to the plague and first mate being stuck in South Africa.

Next year…

I free Foxy who has been locked inside to prevent him doing a runner on the way round. He’s fine, if a little bemused, and reluctant to leave the confines of his boat…

But curious. Well he is a cat. A boat cat at that.

Time to unpack the boat…

Something, it transpires, that takes a lot longer than it did to pack. Funny that.

I’ve been here a few days now and am still striving to get organised. That said, I’m enjoying being here and am inspired to improve on this already pleasant outdoor space. I have a clear vision of how I want it to be – pots and plants and a rocking chair for the deck being top of the list.

I’m already feeling the benefits of being close to the car park – for the first time ever I managed to get my shopping from car to boat in one go. And that’s priceless.

So this tiny trundle to the ‘other side’, that started out as a purely practical head choice designed to make my life easier, has actually done me the power of good. I feel like me again. Always did like new beginnings. I’m loving it here already.

This relocation has not only moved Hobo, Foxy and me to a new setting, it has moved me to resume my writing. It has rekindled my creativity, which has been sadly lacking of late, and I’m loving that.

Huge thanks to all who have helped me out – past and present – you know who you are and I salute you. It is my privilege to live among you. The boating community is a wonderful place where the lovely folk are happy to help and company is always available; something I have come to know during my 15 years of living afloat.

Feeling good, so calls for a feel-good song. Enjoy…

Back soon,

BB xx

Tags: boating, cats, narrowboat, nature, outdoors, photography

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Uncategorized

Boatlife..

29 Jan

Greetings on this joyful January day.

You might be wondering how I am getting on in my new home on the River Lark where I have a super and secluded home mooring…

So I thought I’d tell you a story – bit of a day in the life type of thing.

Every now and again, I do a physical Tesco shop, which serves to remind me why I normally do a click and collect and end up vowing never again! Today was one of those days; I was feeling quite spritely and it was bright and sunny when I set off to Newmarket. But when it came to loading up the car (with 50% more stuff than when I shop online) it was bucketing down. No covered area like there is at the click and collect. I got wet.

Lucky for me, it had stopped by the time I got home to do the long trek to the boat, and for long enough for me to get the coal in. Just. I’ve a system now for transporting stuff from car to boat, boat to car and rubbish to the bins, having bought a cheapo plastic “rollacart”… which miraculously can be hauled over the bridge with contents inside. My more beefy garden trolley, more suited to grass and mud… that I’ve left the other side is then filled and dragged to Hobo, complete with lightweight cart. Seems to work well.

There is a long way round, which avoids the bridge, taking you through the lodges and reed beds, over which starlings do that fabulous murmuration thing. When I witness this for myself, I will share it with you here. When it’s not boggy, one of the chaps here runs a buggy (sort of golf cart on steroids) round this way, so heavy stuff like coal and gas can be more easily delivered to your boat. Brilliant. Or, the local coal merchant will deliver to the nearby lock and load the bags onto the roof of your boat, but also only when conditions favourable.

As for physical shopping, despite spending more and taking more time and effort, it does give the opportunity to browse the clothing and electrical sections, as well as other delights on offer. F’rinstance, my dietician has urged me to buy those individual dessert pots in order to gain weight – I’m struggling with this due to an auto-immune condition I have, which, after a lifetime of battling weight gain, I am now a real skinny Minnie and borderline mal-nourished. Bizarre.

They do one called little pots of joy, which is crème egg that you can eat with a spoon and not get covered in chocolate. It’s good but not even close to the ice cream version. So Hobo’s fridge is well-stocked with that one, as well as various mousses and trifles! If I could get to my scales, I’m sure I will have gained more weight. In fact, I’ve been advised to eat all sorts of rubbish that I’ve previously avoided like the plague and give anything vaguely healthy the big swerve. Bit of a win-win really.

So why can’t I get to my scales? Well, Hobo went wonky and, one morning as I got out of bed, found the floor was wet. Water underneath in the bilge. A lot of it. Bugger. Apart from wet feet, I struggled to walk with the boat at such an angle and kept bumping into the walls. And that’s before I had a drink!

I put out the distress call, which my old mate Steve swiftly answered. We checked the usual suspects – stern gland and weed hatch, both ok. He soon had the boat level again (stuck on a ledge after water levels had dropped) and re-tied with the back end further out to avoid getting hung up again. Looks untidy but she is floating free, which is preferable to looking like I know how to moor a boat properly, but leaning over.

Not sure where the water came from but Steve thinks it’s rain water – we have had a lot and my back doors are anything but watertight. I’ll have her hauled out for blacking come Spring so can get the hull checked at the same time, though fairly sure that’s not the problem.

Anyway, Steve’s pump chucked out most of the water, leaving me to aqua-vac daily as the water slowly trickles to the back – takes a week or so to get it all. Then it’s a case of stuffing newspaper into the inspection hatch (which was cut into the bottom of my wardrobe when I inadvertently filled the bilge by overflowing the water tank – a breather tube issue) to absorb any further moisture. As it’s raining again I’ll soon see if any more gets in.

All of this meant I had to empty the floor of said wardrobe and engine room (a useful space for storage when not cruising), deposit stuff in the bedroom and bathroom – hence blocking the way to my scales, plus all sorts of other items I need to access daily). Not to mention making moving around somewhat tricky and upsetting any order I normally enjoy. Feng shui is all to pot!

Don’t know about you but, the minute I let the tiniest bit of disorder into my world, everything deteriorates into chaos, quick quick. Obviously, this is a whole lot more noticeable, with space at such a premium, in a 47×7 foot-ish area. It’s not that I’m a neat freak or anything, but it’s purely practical to be tidy, unless you enjoy falling over things/moving half of your possessions to get to the other half.

But that’s boatlife and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

In other news: my trusty stove is burning 24/7, keeping me snug and warm and my new neighbours are great. Not that I’ve met all of them yet, but I suspect my semi-hibernation has a lot to do with that. Looking forward to spring when, no doubt, we’ll all be outdoors a lot more, making us more visible and sociable. Seems like a great community.

Looking a little spring-like on board…

The hyacinths fill the boat with a delightful sweet scent.

I’m gradually finding my way around, now not totally reliant on Google maps and confident to navigate my own way to at least a couple of destinations. Hobo is moored in Cambridgeshire, across the river is Suffolk and Norfolk is fairly close too. There’s some lovely towns nearby: Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket, Downham Market, King’s Lynn, Bury St. Edmunds to name but a few. Still much exploring to be done. I imagine there’s some good walking hereabouts too – I’ll let you know come the spring and warmer weather.

I have a postbox…And a birdbox…And a butcher within walking distance where all produce is reared right here on the farm. Adjacent is a stall where fresh, local veg is available for sale, by way of an honesty box.

The marina here is on an island where Muntjac roam and swans, ducks and geese abound. There’s nothing quite like being aboard listening to swans smack along their river runway in order to take off , hear the geese chattering or the mad quacking of the duck barmy army.

I’m impressed with the manager here and have found her most helpful and accommodating. So thank you for that, much appreciated.

RAF Mildenhall is close and, as a bit of a plane spotter, is home to some interesting aircraft, such as the Osprey…

Google image

Also big bombers, fighter jets and so on. So, unlike being under Stansted’s flightpath (as I was before) at least there’s something good to look at. And it’s nowhere near as busy; little night or weekend flying.

Foxy has settled really well and loves his new home. He’s a true boatcat, happy to walk the gunwales…And plank…

Though this now superseded by something safer, sturdier and more fitting…Courtesy of the on site maintenance man. Well pleased with this and sure it’s saved me a dunking.

Foxy helps me get the coal in, fill up the water tank and other boatie chores, as well as charging around, jumping on the roof, climbing trees…

And decimating the local vermin population…

He’s currently taking an interest in what I’m up to right now…Oh, and he’s been in the river a couple of times already…

He’s also starting his own blog…

boatcat.blog.

As soon as he can get his head around setting it up, the cat lovers among you will be able to see boatlife from his point of view…

I’m guessing that will be riveting.

Tags: boating, cats, feng shui, photography

Comments 6 Comments
Categories Narrowboating, photography, Rivers, Uncategorized

Foxtrot Oscar..

11 Aug

No, not the slang for a rather rude form of go away, but the full name of my new companion.

As a regular reader, you’ll know (and if not you soon will) that I’ve been hankering after a cat. Not just any old cat you understand, but a ship’s cat. One that cruises with me and Hobo, and one that is good for a cuddle.

So here he is…

What a cutie!

Better known as Foxy, he is all of the above. Well he’s shaping up that way, jumping from the bow of my boat to the stern of my neighbour’s. He is fearless. He runs along Hobo’s gunnels, jumps on the roof and, as yet, has avoided a dunking.

But don’t be fooled by his furry loveliness. He is also responsible for decimating the local vermin population, his oh so sharp claws making short work of it. And that’s a good thing, I just wish he wouldn’t bring me the evidence by way of little gifts.

But Boatbird deals with this, as she does with the cat’s hairs everywhere, the constant ‘need’ for food, stamping on my keyboard, wrecking my furniture and the irresistible urge to destroy my sleep patterns.

He seems to come to life at silly o’clock and wants to play. He will headbutt my chin, rub his wet little nose on my face and mew relentlessly for attention. Not to mention messing up my duvet with muddy footprints…

But he makes me smile, and comes a time when you have to weigh up what is important and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s all worth it for the comfort, companionship and affection he gives. Who wants to live in a show home anyway? Not that that’s an option when you live aboard on the riverbank.

Naturally, being a cat, he is curious and dives inside whenever I open the fridge or a cupboard door…

He can also be pretty chilled…

Usually finding a spot where my feet or my bum want to be. We fight for my chair, he getting cosy the minute I stand up and complaining bitterly when I sit on him.

I’ve modified the vent in the door by way of a cat-flap…

Works well. I like that he can come and go. And by that I mean go in the great outdoors, so I don’t have to provide a litter tray. There’s precious little space on board for such, and besides, I hate them.

He is shortly going to be tested, me about to throw him a curved ball. Boatbird is planning a little jaunt downriver to see how he copes with cruising. A little acclimatisation exercise. I fear he’ll wander off and get lost or be totally freaked by the moving boat and fall in – or worse.

In truth, I think he’ll love it and turn out to be a natural, probably tying the ropes, manning the tiller and working the locks before too long.

How cool would that be?

Hmmm. Not looking likely.

Tags: boat cat, boating, cats, ship's cat

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Categories Canals, Narrowboating, Rivers, Uncategorized

So long South Africa..

1 Feb

For now.

My three month stay is now a distant – yet not dim – memory…

Glorious sunsets over the estuary

Just as well because I need all the help I can get to blot out my return to the UK. I will elaborate in due course.

In case you were thinking it was all beer and skittles, and that I was having a wonderful time…

The wild fires came way too close.

The aftermath…

And I was bitten…

Again. I always react badly.

The Mighty Uno showered me with rust…

As we bumped up a mountain pass. It was in my hair too but the photographer saw fit to exclude this. I was not amused.

I should have known that something was amiss when I attempted to clear security at Cape Town airport. That moment we all dread when they take just a little too long in their scrutiny of your passport, escort you to a side room and then make you wait. And wait.

Turns out, in their estimation, I had overstayed by one day. This would result in a punishment of not being allowed to return for a year. And, upsettingly, declared an ‘undesirable person’. I may just frame the paperwork that indicates this…

Form filling followed and I was sent on my way – reeling a little.

To me, the period between 17th October and 16th January represents three months. But, if you take a month as 31 days and times by three it makes 93 days. Count on your fingers from 17/10 to 16/01, it is 94 days, so technically one day over what is permitted. Seems harsh to me.

They gave me ten days to appeal, which I did – humbly and apologetically. Now I wait for the verdict.

Then there’s the weather. It’s bloody cold…

In case you hadn’t noticed. Bad timing on my part but unavoidable.

Then there’s the hairbrush I lost on the plane – the one I bought to replace the one that I lost on the flight out. I’m really not suited to travel economy (who the hell is?) and find it impossible to keep myself and my belongings together.

My friend and neighbour, who kindly collected me from the airport, had to physically put me into his van. My ankles were swollen and my legs were constantly cramping, finally seizing up altogether.

He had lit the stove on Hobo though, so at least the boat was warm, allowing me some degree of comfort. Or, more accurately, I could collapse into the chair by the fire and begin my recovery, not needing to move further than the kettle, the loo, the drinks cupboard and eventually bed.

It takes a day or two for the boat to properly warm up, but an absolute eternity when the trusty Squirrel stove is, for some reason, not performing. It wasn’t. Struggling to draw, smoky and sluggish. Can only mean one thing: chimney needs sweeping, which means I have to let the fire go out.

Fortunately, this was before the current cold snap. Could have been so much worse.

I imposed on the good nature of another lovely neighbour to scrape the flue. Much easier for him to jump on the roof and wield the heavy metal tool designed to do this job, given that I was still in a state somewhere between semi-paralysis and total collapso.

Shame I forgot to close the door of the stove though, resulting in every surface inside my home being coated with filthy black soot. Now I have to clean. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the fire box still wasn’t performing. We wrestle with the baffle plate, which did seem to improve things. A bit.

Several not-quite-warm-enough days later, I discover that the blanking plate had dropped off the back of the stove…

The real culprit.

There was now a hole in the stove, possibly releasing potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes! I had no choice but to let it go out again, in the hope I wouldn’t wake up dead the following morning (even cooling embers will emit CO gas).

Again, my neighbours rallied and helped me out with an interim heat source…

Natty eh?

Clearly I survived, and was soon off in search of help in the form of an effective temporary fix, which was successful and still holding. Thank goodness. I will of course order a new one.

While all this was going on, my car spectacularly failed the MOT and some ******* had clouted one of the door mirrors and left it dangling.

Choose your favourite expletive here. I used several.

Need some cute animal pics..?

Thought so.

Fast forward to now and all is well once more. Back to tropical temperature, warm and cosy. Car back on the road and I am returned to what passes as normal for me body-wise. Unpacking done, laundry sorted (not done) and order – more or less – restored.

Spot the driver…

Spooky.

I’ll end the SA saga here for now, except for the occasional pics that pitch up periodically from our own correspondent.

My posts will be returning to more boatie things for a while and the next one will be on our favourite topic: toilets.

I have ordered a new one…

It’s a composter!

No delivery date as yet but hope it’s soon. Can’t wait to tell you all about it.

One more thing… I want a boat cat. Anyone know of one that needs a lovely warm, cosy home/loving owner?

Tags: boating, cats, composting toilets, South Africa, sunset, travel

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Canals, Narrowboating, photography, Rivers, south africa, travel, Uncategorized

All Good Things..

25 May

Seven weeks of living out in the watery wilderness has come to an end…

We’ve chugged up and down this lovely little river, moored at various middle of nowhere locations, walked the towpath and discovered the footpaths through the adjacent park and got to know the regular dog walkers and runners.

We’ve heard and seen all sorts of wildlife, some – scarily – on board…

The web of a funnel web spider in Hobo’s engine room!

A more conventional outdoor web…

A toad on the towpath…

Mother and chicks…

Cows…

All of these will benefit from zooming in.

There was a snake on the towpath on one of my walks but it was far faster than me, slithering into the safety of the long grass before I could even think about grabbing the camera.

No amount of zooming will help here. Another of many of my marvellous pics that got away.

John calls this Queen Anne’s lace…

But has always been keck to me.

It (and the nettles) has grown madly while we’ve been out. Hobo was visible from way back at one spot but completely hidden a few weeks later – at first scaring the hell out of me, thinking she’d gone on without me!

We’ve even carried out some exterior boat maintenance.

Before…

After…

It’s far from finished but I’m happy with the story so far. Making a start, as always, was the hardest part. The rest I can do in bite-size pieces – as and when – starting with the hand rails I think.

Now I’m all for a bit of serendipity and synchronicity, and my next little tale is certainly a bit of both. John got chatting to a dog walker one day who introduced herself as a cat magnet. Knowing I was hankering after a feline friend, he called me to come talk to her. She’s involved with re-homing rescue dogs and cats and said she’d keep me in mind.

That very evening we had a visitor…

She was very hungry and, after wolfing down a can of tuna, became very affectionate and soon made herself at home…

Do click on any image to big it up.

She helped me with the writing…

Making the bed…

A bit twitchy at times…

But mostly quite content…

She slept at the bottom of the bed every night, waking me by pummelling my stomach and head-butting me at an ungodly hour each morning to be let out.

She spent the day playing in the woods…

Returning intermittently to feed – and I think to check we were still there. We speculated as to where she’d come from. She seemed very au fait with boat life – had she jumped ship? But surely her human would be looking for her – but no evidence of this: lost kitty posters, concerned person calling her name. Nothing.

I messaged the “cat magnet” but it was not her doing. A puzzle.

And a dilemma. It seemed wrong to leave her when we left and wrong to take her with us. Such a gorgeous creature…

The cat – just in case you were wondering!

As ever, doing nothing proved to be the best plan. One day, a chappie pitched up looking for her. He’d been moored nearby and noticed she was missing when he’d moved his boat further downstream. We told him we’d met her and said she’d be in the woods so he called her but to no avail.

I then called out “come on then”, she appeared from nowhere, avoided her human and jumped aboard Hobo! It was like she had made a choice. Well they do say cats choose their owners. Of course, I had to let her go. It was heart-breaking!

But that’s not the end to this story. John walked down the towpath that night and saw her on the roof of “her” boat…

It wasn’t until he arrived back at Hobo that we realised she had followed him. It was quite a way and in the dark. Unbelievable!

Kitty-cat moved in with us again. Double dilemma – now that we knew where she belonged. Again, any decisions were taken out of our hands, she was collected once more and her boat moved further away. I am resigned to never seeing her again but live in hope that the “cat magnet” will come up trumps and find me one of my own. Till then though, I miss her. Every day.

And so, all good things have come to an end. John’s gone, cat’s gone, I am back on my mooring and looking forward to the next time. Maybe in the autumn.

But I have lovely memories of a lovely time, lovely little trip, lovely company and lots of lovely photos.

And a cupboardful of lovely cat food.

Tags: boating, canals, cats, nature, outdoors, rivers

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Canals, Countryside, Narrowboating, photography, Rivers, Uncategorized

Snakes Alive..!

21 Jan

Warning: This post does include shocking images and live snake footage, so not for the faint-hearted.

But I’ll start you off gently with some prettiness…

Some mild scariness…

And some too close for comfort wild fires…

Just over the road. South Africa of course.

But back to the snake story. Our man in that other, warmer hemisphere did say there were a lot of snakes about…

You may need to big up some of the pictures though to actually see them.

Most of these pics were sent to me with a caption – can you spot the snake? Wasted no end of time / gave me hours of fun. Hope it does the same for you.

You ready for the big one?

Sure?

Sure you’re sure?

OK, here it comes…

Bet you didn’t have one of those in your Christmas tree..!

John is well known for his snake handling ability and often gets roped into catching and removing unwanted ones. He’s very fond of them and always returns them to somewhere suitable for the snake and far away from where it wasn’t wanted. So, be assured that no snake was harmed in the making of this video.

Loving the health and safety footwear.

Now, in order to soothe your nerves, I shall break with tradition and bombard you with cute, cuddly cat images…

And a couple of battle-scarred ones…

Aw..

Meet Ginger. Thought to be feral and refusing to be sociable with other humans in the neighbourhood, but succumbed to John’s cat whispering technique.

He likes to hang about with John in the bus and garden and even goes walking in the bush with him. A great companion.

I want one now! A ship’s cat.

I always said I wouldn’t; litter trays and all that on a boat – no way. But, if anyone knows of a boat trained/water-loving/ever so cute one that is able to swim and use what would pass as a cat-flap on board and just happens to be looking for an exciting new home…

Hobo and I are surviving all that the elements can throw at us – even the wind which can be a bit wild on a boat – especially if everything isn’t tied up or nailed down. But I learned that the hard way. It’s amazing what can be blown off the roof if not suitably secured!

We were separated, Hobo and me, between 23/12 and 02/01 while I did a house sit. A nice little earner and some unaccustomed luxury for me, but poor Hobo suffered and was freezing cold and damp on my return. A few kind words and a roaring fire soon saw me forgiven though.

And, in case you were wondering, all the weird shit seems to have stopped now. Bugger, shouldn’t have said that out loud..

This was the culprit that took out my 12 volt…

A burned out in-line fuse located at the back of the fuse box which, despite all my investigations and those of helpful neighbours, proved elusive. I ended up fetching a friend from Huntingdon who knows Hobo’s wiring intimately and, indeed, fitted it in the first place – a belt and braces measure.

It took him all of two minutes to uncover AND fix. Thank you Steve. It’s so good to have normal service resumed.

And, in other news…

Mud. That’s pretty much it.

Tags: boating, cats, nature, outdoors, photography, snakes, South Africa

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Categories Canals, Countryside, Narrowboating, photography, Rivers, south africa, Uncategorized

Missing the Boat

24 Jul

This bird has become separated from her boat. How careless is that…?

It is in truth a planned separation and my version of gameful employment. I am house sitting. Or to be more precise; cat sitting.

I have been left in charge of a superb home and garden for 10/11 days. It really isn’t any hardship as said house comes complete with (amongst other things) a bath, piano, comfy sofas and a summer house; all of which I have made good use. Hobo is quite well appointed but, apart from being a summer house in itself, does not offer any of the other three – which I miss from time to time.

So I’ve wallowed in luxury in the bath (and been re-vitalised in the ‘knock your nipples off’ power shower), indulged my love of the piano (though sadly very rusty) and sunk into the sumptuous sofas as I veg in front of Sky TV on a big screen.

And I’ve enjoyed playing house.

As for the cat… she is a delight. Very vocal but endlessly affectionate. I am revelling in the love and cuddles.

Its been a long time since Lottie (my own long-dead kitty) has curled up on my lap, head butting me if I dare to stop stroking for even a second, and filling the air with much contented and very loud purring.

I like to think we’ve become firm friends, though it could just be she is missing her proper ‘mum’ and I will be consigned to history as soon as the lady of the house returns.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

Next door’s cat also comes a calling, allowing me a stroke or two, and is in fact keeping me company right now

as I type in the shady and cool sanctuary of the summer house.

I estimate that this place is about fifteen miles north of London. From the back of the house, across the fields, the city skyline can be seen clearly – Canary Wharf, The Shard, St. Pauls and so on. Quite a sight and, in my opinion, even better at night when all the lights are a-twinkle.

So, all in all, I am in a good place. I’d show you more but it’s not mine to show…

But I do miss Hobo and have snuck back a couple of times just to drink her in. This is truly my space – I feel it the moment I set foot aboard – and where I am meant to be.

I busy myself for a couple of hours, getting on with painting the hatch replacement that John has made. He makes – I paint – he fits. The stern hatch has always been pretty horrid; a dip in the middle gathering water, which means rust…

…see what I mean? How bad is that.

So John has crafted a new one from wood, which I am busy painting. Red. Or it will be when finished.

And there will be glass recessed in for light in the engine room below. Can’t wait for it to be fitted…it’s going to be good!

Inbetween coats, I continue to prepare the roof – now with the aid of my trusty mouse. We’re getting there.A quick look round sees ‘Gerry’ is fine

The daisies from HMF are positively blooming…And the new herb garden is doing OK.John’s nest boxes looking good…Late additions so no occupants…Maybe next year.

So now my current asignment draws to a close and the house owner is expected back tonight.

I am gradually clearing out my stuff and cleaning up after me. Eradicating all trace.

It’s a lovely home and has been an absolute pleasure. But I will be happy to be back on Hobo. Soon soon.

Tags: cats, herb garden, house sitting, nest boxes, photography, summer house

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Boatbird

Have I Got News for You…

Taking Another View..

It was the best of moorings…

Boatlife..

Foxtrot Oscar..

So long South Africa..

All Good Things..

Snakes Alive..!

Missing the Boat

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