A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

i forgot stripey tshirt or collared shirt and cravat.

no pipe dont smoke.

You don't need to smoke it - just grip it manfully between the teeth for effect.

I'm thinking more of this look:

^ wrong flag.

nobody's perfect

Nov 10

Duckie has a friend.

I only know that because he was calling me to get in the boat and I put down the plank for him. He hesitated and then went away.

Moments later I see him running casually down the shore and an orange cat, slightly larger than him is following. Duckie stops when I call him and looks to me. I call him again. The orange cat also freezes. The orange cat is about 3m behind Duckie. He looks at me too.

I fear Duckie is about to get his butt kicked.

I hiss at the orange cat.
Duckie sits.
The orange cat runs a few metres in the opposite direction. Duckie continues sitting.

Seconds later the orange cat comes back and passed on the far side of Duckie who gets up and casually chases. Duckie has made a friend.

**No need to worry, mom. **

Suddenly I feel loss. I’m also pleased, but the loss is stronger. I have no friends here. Leonard, the only person who has extended the olive branch is gone off. My friends are all in central London. Today, despite the calls and the internet, I feel lonely.

I suppose it is a fairly solitary life, on a houseboat.

You are there for the solitude, to some extent, but I'd imagine solitude is not always what you want.

When you've got the engine fitted you can pootle of downstream to the pub or to visit friends, you can take your whole house to visit people!

Remember, you've lots of friends here.

thanks lucy.
I'm ok, its just here at the dock is not where I planned to be!
still, there's a very good chance my stove will arrive tomorrow, and my work is happening next week SO this isolation is short lived.

The stove will cheer you no end. A crackly little fire, pot of tea and a good book, you'll never want a visitor again!

When you're working you'll look back on this time with great nostalgia, and wish you were lonely on a boat again!

BOOK! I totally forgot. I picked up Down and Out in Paris and London the other day..
Ok, I'm outa here! George baby, here i come! :)

Great choice!

One of my faves. Enjoy!

BOOK! I totally forgot. I picked up Down and Out in Paris and London the other day..
Ok, I'm outa here! George baby, here i come! :)

First time Orwell's been referred to as 'George baby' EVER.

what make or type of stove are you getting jacqui?

This one, I think:

How cool is that???

Duckie's back and smells of petrol.. YUCK.

^ that's it exactly. CAN'T WAIT to see it in the flesh (err, steel?)

I reckon you're jealous!

You wait, in no time at all you'll be scampering around in the dark with a ginger stranger before coming back to the boat stinking of petrol...

I wish!

:)

what made you decide on that wood stove in particular?

Duckie's back and smells of petrol.. YUCK.

^ that's it exactly. CAN'T WAIT to see it in the flesh (err, steel?)

He he. My boat had a minute drip from the engine which proved impossible to isolate - it meant everything smelled of diesel. I still open the odd bag now and get the unmistakeable whiff.

Sorry to hear you were feeling lonely Jacqui. I'm sure the stove will help (as did Radio's 4 & 5 for me). Getting stuck into a good book is the right way to go - or cooking up a good casserole!

@coppiThat -
the wood burner was necessary. Miracle is currently heated on Calor Gas. It's warm but wet heat - meaning it doesn't evaporate the dampness from the air. This ultimately means damp feeling even when hot which isn't ideal.

The wood burner from windy smithy is high quality and more importantly is the right size for the space I have on the boat. Most burners were too big for my space both in physical size and in heat output meaning i'd be operating them under the capacity and inefficiently which is bad for the life of the burner.

I'm so excited that its coming today! (fingers crossed).

^ yay

.............I feel lonely.

But you are never alone..

;-)

Liking all of this Jacqui, where are the photos?

@marky - burner arrival pic is on FB.