Loo views

Loo views

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Slipping back or moving forward?


It has been pointed out to me recently that I have been conspicuous by my absence on my blog. It is mostly because I set it up as a cruising blog and being winter, I'm stuck here on my mooring at Fradley and so don't have much to say!

However something happened yesterday that is worthy of a muse. Two years ago I walked out of a job at a wedding venue because I felt I was being bullied by my boss. We did not part on good terms and although I enjoyed most of the work I did there I did not miss his management style!

Since then I have worked at a marina, taken time out to cruise and most recently set up Bonny's Buddies Dog Sitting Services. But money is tight and a little more wouldn't go amiss. Yesterday, I received a phone call from said ex boss, completely out of the blue. He said they all missed me and he wondered if enough water had passed under the bridge for me to consider returning to the fold!

My general philosophy in life is not to go back. Once I have moved on from a situation then that is it. I try to learn what I can from it but then move on. However, I am in a much better place than I was 2 years ago, emotionally, physically and financially. And I feel the power now rests more with me as I have no doubt that he needs me more than I need them. I also recognise that the circumstances in which I left makes it feel for me like unfinished business.

So I am attending a meeting with him on 20th. I am very clear in my mind under what terms I will return and most important is that I will not be available between April and August as my cruising time has to be protected! So watch this space. Whatever happens I have to admit that it's nice to be wanted!

Monday, 21 November 2016

Feeling Special


I woke today to the sound of the rain teeming down and the wind whipping up the wet leaves. Bonny still needed her walk though, so off we went through water logged paths with the rain blowing in our faces. As I slogged along I suddenly realised how special I felt.

This is not a familiar feeling to me. When I was born, I was fifth down and although I am sure I was loved, I wasn't the only one. Two more came along after me and then off I went to boarding school where feeling special or unique wasn't encouraged! Once grown up I looked for a man who would love me more than anyone else. Someone who would see me as their most special person. I never found him. So no children either for whom I would have been number one.

I became a Christian mostly I think because of the promise held out that 'God would love me as if I was the only person to love'. But at the same time I was told he loves everyone equally and that didn't, in the end, fill the hole in my being. My careers in both the police and Church, were in their different ways fulfilling, but loads of people were doing the same thing and so that search for value, for uniqueness went on.

Moving onto the water has gone a long way to meeting this need. It's not just the fact that not many people give up a land based existence to live on a boat, but my whole focus, my way of living has changed. I am no longer focused on making money in order to buy things in order to feel special and secure. I don't feel the need to fill every day with doing but can happily cope with empty spaces in my day, in my life, without panicking or feeling I haven't earned the right to breathe today. I don't rely on the state or faceless companies for my day to day needs, but generate my own power, fetch my own water, sort out my own waste and make my own way in the world.

I have come to terms with being alone and now find active pleasure and satisfaction in it, although I'm not sure I could cope nearly so well if I didn't have Bonny. And although I still love the sound of my own voice, (hence this blog and Facebook) I no longer need the applause to bolster my ego.

So, back to my walk this morning. Why did I suddenly feel special? Well, I could hear the sound of traffic on the A38 and I imagined how my day could have been, used to be, the day millions of people are facing.

Getting up in the dark, (for many getting children to school or nursery too early to be good for them,) then facing dangerous conditions on the road as everybody is trying to get to work as quickly as possible, despite the driving rain. Perhaps trying to cope with the stress of being held up in a jam whilst the clock counts down to being late. Then a day at a job that brings little satisfaction, little chance to express my creativity or uniqueness, a slave job that only brings money and nothing else and yet takes up the majority of my waking hours. Then risking life and limb to get home in the rain soaked darkness, to then do the chores I haven't had time to do in my over filled day. A bit of mind numbing telly and then to bed to do the whole thing again tomorrow.

But now my reality is to walk Bonny in beautiful, if wet, countryside and then return to the boat to stoke up the fire, make a cuppa and settle down to write this. We will have a couple of more walks and I have a few chores to do but there will be plenty of time to stare at the rain and cuddle the dog. I don't have to face the traffic, or the dark. The pay off is that I am not earning money and my savings are dwindling but whilst I can still eat, the need to feel lucky, to feel blessed, to feel special is more important to me than the security money would bring.

As I thought all of this in a split second, whilst hearing the drone of traffic, I felt very special and very lucky indeed!

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

The end of the world as we know it. (Or what Trump and Brexit have in common).


I have believed for some years that this age, the age of modernism, is ending and a new age is coming. I think that the times we are living in now can be compared to our teenage years, where we reject the ideas and rules of the authorities we have grown up with (parents, school, church etc) and try on new identities and new values as we search for who we are going to be as adults.

As anyone who has been a teenager knows, some of what we try on for size can be pretty out there! We believe passionately position A one day, only to swing to position B equally fervently. We try new looks that make us blush with shame in later life. We may break the law, experiment with substances or pick fights. We may fall in love with highly unsuitable role models. But who we are as teenagers is not the end result, but a vital transition into being our own people.

So it is with these times. Voting for Brexit and Trump is not, I believe, the identity we want to keep, but a necessary revolt against the old authorities. We, particularly in the western world, have largely lost faith in big institutions, whether they be big politics, religion or economics (and for good reason!). We see the stale corruption in all these authorities who we once trusted so implicitly and we are rebelling, just as teens rebel. I don't believe we want our world shaped in the values shown by Brexit or Trump but these choices are a necessary transition to whatever is coming next.

And just as when we rebel as teenagers and our parents, school etc attempt to crack down on us to make us conform, so the dying institutions are doing the same, hence the rise of fundamentalism in religion, in government and in capitalism. Power is not lost lightly and so we are living in painful times as the old order passes and the new is yet to rise.

If you believe that humanity is evolving then there is great hope in these times as, once we have passed through this adolescence, the next generation or the one after will model a better way to be a human adult in this world. If you believe we are travelling in the other direction then these times are surely a sign that the end of the world - for humanity at least - is coming. I choose to be optimistic.

Saturday, 29 October 2016

Bonny!!!


We have moved again due to Bonny disgracing herself, if only for a short time. We were really enjoying the mooring at the wetland nature reserve and had had long walks. At tea time Bonny was outside the boat on, what I call, her tether. It is actually just a length of cord with a flag on the end. If she is dragging it around, she thinks she can't run off, particularly if I have told her to stay near the boat and if she is in a bush I can see where she is, thanks to the flag.

I had popped inside to get her supper but when I brought it out, she was nowhere to be seen! I grabbed her lead, shut the boat and walked to the bridge where there is an entrance to the reserve. There she was, haring down the side of the hedge, dragging her tether behind her, chasing a squirrel. I told her sternly to 'Come Here!' Her response was to turn on to a side path and run off into the undergrowth! Being that there were countless acres of undergrowth and every danger her tether could get caught up in it, effectively trapping her, my blood ran cold. Chasing her is never a good option as it just sends her crazy, so I stopped at the head of the side path and waited.

Within a couple of minutes I could hear the sound of frantic barking so I walked down the path just in time to see my little terror dragging herself out of a bog! She saw me and I could see her trying to decide whether to run to me for comfort or run away because she had been naughty. I turned and walked away from her, back towards the boat. Running through my mind were all the times this had happened in the past and the countless hours I had spent trying to get her to come home. There was only an hour or so of daylight left, if she ran now, we were in trouble. I glanced behind to see her following me, albeit in a very hesitant way. I walked slower and slower until she had almost caught up. I told her to come and she stopped and then buried her head in a bush so she couldn't see me approaching! This is her way of giving up. I quietly put her lead on and very nearly wet myself with relief! The whole incident took no more than ten minutes. In the past it would have taken several hours!

Exhausted Bonny
I couldn't stand the stress of staying another day there in case she managed to go off again, so this morning I cruised to Curdworth and turned in a pencil thin winding hole. We then wandered down to Fazeley Junction, where we watered up, before cruising back to Hopwas. There may be huge woods here but at least she is better at staying near the boat where we usually moor. I feel the need for a day off so we shall stay here tomorrow and return to Fradley on Monday.

Friday, 28 October 2016

All better

Fishers Mill Bridge
I am completely restored! We had a lovely afternoon, exploring Hopwas Woods and then another romp this morning. Bonny was allowed off the lead in the woods, with squirrels everywhere. She was hysterical with excitement but still managed to retain enough self control to come whenever I called her back.

Then, after a restorative cuppa, we cruised through the woods, past Hopwas and down to Fazeley where we turned right onto the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Just a few miles up is Fishers Mill Bridge, one of our favourite moorings as it is right beside a huge watery nature reserve. Having checked the fridge, I've decided to extend our mini cruise by a day so we can stay here for a day or so and return to Fradley on Monday.

It is miraculous what just a day cruising can do for my mood. All those worries that threaten to overwhelm me when I am stuck in one place, just melt away when I'm moving. All that matters is the water in front of me, my propeller keeping clear of obstructions and my ability to operate my boat safely and with consideration to others. I will have to remember how flimsy my worries are during the winter as I won't be going anywhere for at least two months when we are locked in due to stoppages.

Thursday, 27 October 2016

At last, a view!


It has been a ridiculously long time since I have written anything here. This is mostly because I set up the blog to photograph and write about the different places I moor up when I'm out cruising. But since I got back from Devon, I haven't been anywhere! Instead I have been working hard to set up my dog walking venture.

This has been slow going and quite frustrating and over the last couple of days I recognised that I was in a bit of an emotional slump. Only one easy cure for the blues - go cruising! So I chucked some coal in my cratch, Bonny on the roof and off I went this morning. We have just moored up in one of our favourite spots near the woods at Hopwas.

What really cheered me up was the evidence here of a victory by the 'little' people. When we were last here in April, the entrances to the woods were barred by tall metal fences, barbed wire and Keep Out notices as a gravel company was planning to dig up the beautiful and ancient hillside. We, along with most of the locals ignored the barricades and continued to walk the woods. Petitions were signed and protests held. Six months later the metal fences, barbed wire and notices are all gone, to be replaced by an attractive wooden gate and footpath sign. The locals won and the gravel company have retreated (unfortunately, it seems, to my neck of the woods at Fradley Junction). So local communities can occasionally trump big business!

I'm only out till Sunday. I might toddle on to the Birmingham and Fazeley and moor by the water park, or I may stay here. Already my spirits are lifting.

Friday, 30 September 2016

Here is the link to my new venture!

https://www.facebook.com/bonnysbuddies/


New Venture




As the sun sets on my hope of entirely retiring, at least for a year or so, I introduce my new venture, Bonny's Buddies Dog Sitting Services!



The more I thought about finding another slave job, the more my heart quailed within me. So instead, whilst house sitting in Devon, I racked my brains as to what I could do that I actually enjoy. As I looked around the comfortable living room, it came to me: I enjoy doing this; looking after someone else's home and pet, in this case, Maisie the cat. I also love dog walking.

So I launched a Facebook page called Bonny's Buddies. I decided to make a virtue of having Bonny along as, if I got a house sitting job, I couldn't leave her behind! Within a couple of days I got the possibility of house sitting in Bath and looking after a dog and cat there for around a month. Within a week I had a confirmed job of dog walking 2 retrievers, 6 days a week in Tamworth, between October and January! I am hoping that now I have produced some advertising postcards (see above) I'll get some more local dog walking as well.

It is early days, but a really good start. It's quite exciting as well. I'm hoping to get enough work to keep the wolf from the door well into next year and then hopefully be able to go cruising as well. But it may be that I have to remain landlocked just for 2017. We shall see. Bonny of course is delighted to own her own business and is looking forward to making many new friends!

When I have worked out how to do it, I'll put a link on this blog to my Facebook page.

Friday, 16 September 2016

Last cliff top walk

Our time in Devon is just about up. Bonny and I went for a last cliff top walk from Bude. It was pretty windy but so beautiful!
I love the rocky coast here

Bonny found it pretty windy!

So we found a little shelter with Bude as a backdrop

What a lovely seaside town
Packing and cleaning day tomorrow and then back to the boat on Sunday. I hope it has survived the thunderous downpours of recent days!

Friday, 9 September 2016

Landlocked


I have been living on land for nearly three weeks now. Mostly at Bradworthy but I also spent a few days with my step mother, brother and his kids in Lymington in the New Forest. (I only go to beautiful places!)



It's been lovely to catch up with friends and relatives. It has also been a real novelty to live in a house with mains electricity and water, not to mention broadband! Bonny and I have also really enjoyed exploring all the varied walks in this stunningly beautiful part of the country.




However, as much as I love Devon, I am starting to miss the boat a little. Even though it can be hard work and it isn't nearly as comfortable as the house I am staying in, it is home. 

This winter is going to be particularly tough as CrT are closing Junction Lock at Fradley for two whole months which means no moving the boat for diesel or pump out. That means lots of hauling of barrels instead. Not only that but my retirement looks like it is going to be short lived. Due to an unexpected change in my plan, I may have to find a job for the coming year.

So I thought I would look back to the sunlit days of my cruise and share some more photos with you.

Bonny chilling by the boat

We had some stunning sunrises and sets

Top of the South Oxford

Oh and all those walks!
And just a few more...

It was hard work sometimes

With some big locks!

And we had to be careful, especially on the rivers

But I wouldn't have missed it for the world!



Saturday, 27 August 2016

Carnival time

I am currently house and cat sitting in my old stamping ground of Bradworthy. I had remembered it as a fairly mad place and this was confirmed when I attended the carnival in the village. Here are a selection of sights. God, I love the countryside!
loads of people turned up. Several roads were lined like this

All sorts turned up

Some older than others!

And some madder than others!

Great Shrek themed float

From the film Up and this did go up!!

Brave Pegasus

And of course a Carnival Queen (well several actually)
Bradworthy is a truly great village, with madness at its heart!

Friday, 19 August 2016

Holidays on land

I have been off the boat for a week, visiting friends in Yorkshire. My first stop was Hornsea to see my very good friends Jan and Graham Finch. They lived on their boat, Huff n Puff for 12 years but recently moved back to land living. Here is their very swanky pad, a converted railway station!



One of the few things I miss, living on a boat, is having a bath and this is what I call a bath!!

Graham and Jan have a 5 month old puppy called Albert. Their last dog Bernie, also a Westie, was Bonny's closest friend and so we were fascinated to see how she would respond to this new dog. She was a little reserved to begin with. You can tell the pecking order...



But they soon got closer, thanks to Albert's persistence!

We all went on a trip to Flanbrough Head on a very windy day.


Here are my friends. Jan used to walk Bonny with Bernie when I was at work or when I broke my leg, so it was lovely to see her with Albert and Bon.


I rarely have anyone with me to take a photo of Bon and me, so I took advantage of Graham!

The next day we visited a beach and Bonny had a major breakthrough, thanks to Albert. She has never been a great player of games and seems incapable of playing with another dog. She would rather be hunting. Since she had been so well behaved I took the risk of letting her off the lead. Albert was free too and all at once they were racing each other in circles and Bon was actually playing. It was such a joy to watch. She also loved the sea and showed no fear of the waves. It was a very special time for all of us and when we called them back they raced each other to show who could get back to their owner the quickest!



After a fond farewell, we left to travel to Thirsk to see another dear couple of friends. Brian was my counsellor when I travelled through some very dark times indeed. Now he is my guru and close friend and his wife Cynthia is wonderfully hospitable.

Here is the man who knows me best out of everybody in the world, who accepts and respects me as I am and who has enabled me to heal and grow. We are at Bylands Abbey:


Then he took Bonny and I on a lovely walk up a very steep hill, where a white horse had been carved into the landscape and we had a picnic looking out over most of Yorkshire!



We are back on the boat now, but not for long. My next view from the loo will be from Devon!

Holidays on land

I have been off the boat for a week, visiting friends in Yorkshire. My first stop was Hornsea to see my very good friends Jan and Graham Finch. They lived on their boat, Huff n Puff for 12 years but recently moved back to land living. Here is their very swanky pad, a converted railway station!



One of the few things I miss, living on a boat, is having a bath and this is what I call a bath!!

Graham and Jan have a 5 month old puppy called Albert. Their last dog Bernie, also a Westie, was Bonny's closest friend and so we were fascinated to see how she would respond to this new dog. She was a little reserved to begin with. You can tell the pecking order...



But they soon got closer, thanks to Albert's persistence!

We all went on a trip to Flanbrough Head on a very windy day.


Here are my friends. Jan used to walk Bonny with Bernie when I was at work or when I broke my leg, so it was lovely to see her with Albert and Bon.


I rarely have anyone with me to take a photo of Bon and me, so I took advantage of Graham!

The next day we visited a beach and Bonny had a major breakthrough, thanks to Albert. She has never been a great player of games and seems incapable of playing with another dog. She would rather be hunting. Since she had been so well behaved I took the risk of letting her off the lead. Albert was free too and all at once they were racing each other in circles and Bon was actually playing. It was such a joy to watch. She also loved the sea and showed no fear of the waves. It was a very special time for all of us and when we called them back they raced each other to show who could get back to their owner the quickest!



After a fond farewell, we left to travel to Thirsk to see another dear couple of friends. Brian was my counsellor when I travelled through some very dark times indeed. Now he is my guru and close friend and his wife Cynthia is wonderfully hospitable.

Here is the man who knows me best out of everybody in the world, who accepts and respects me as I am and who has enabled me to heal and grow. We are at Bylands Abbey:


Then he took Bonny and I on a lovely walk up a very steep hill, where a white horse had been carved into the landscape and we had a picnic looking out over most of Yorkshire!



We are back on the boat now, but not for long. My next view from the loo will be from Devon!