Ukulele

has had an outing in public at the Beginners Class.  Thoroughly  enjoyed myself and provided I can make sure I have the car with me on a Monday night I will make the effort to have a couple more.

As it is the only instrument I can currently play I guess I might get sort of okay with it!  Time will tell.

Phone pictures

Easy care sheep

I think I want this one

Turned out nice again.

I have finally got a lead to transfer photos from my phone.  I think they are better than ones from the camera.  In fact the top one is a zoomed in copy of a bit of a bigger picture.  I like that feature.

Heat Stroke

I was born in a very hot country, brought up in another and people cannot understand why I choose to live in England.

Well it doesn't often throw up those blistering hot days that cause my internal systems to fail.

On Wednesday afternoon I had to move from outside Fradley BW offices because I had well and truly outstayed my welcome.  I had left the boat there while I went to hospital about the shoulder.  (so far I know it is not tendon damage but will have to wait for the results of the x-ray for accurate diagnosis)

I managed to move boat sideways to fill with water and soon realised that this was a mistake but my slot had already been filled so I had no choice but to move as there was nowhere else to moor.  At the first lock I forgot to open one of the bottom gates and realised just in time that I couldn't push these ones open. (ie just before I rammed them with the boat!) Passing walkers kindly opened it for me so I didn't have to climb out again.  They then took my windlass off me and operated the next one and also helped me to moor up, as they could see what a state I was in I really couldn't have done it on my own.  I had put a wash on while filling with water and this included a damp tea towel that I wet and draped around my shoulders and mopped my face with together with drinking cold water.  My legs were jelly.  Basically without their help I think I would have fallen in!

I hereby give thanks for the kindness of strangers.

Next day I stayed firmly on board and worked on a set of accounts listening to the birdsong, feeding the ducks, generally doing lots of displacement activity.  All in all it was not a bad day at the office!

Promotion ends Friday 18th May 2012

I know I said no more posting but there is an offer on at Lulu where I have my book Tiger Tails up for sale.  (available on ebook) so you need to go to the homepage www.lulu.com and the direct link to the book is on the left of my blog.

Shameless promotion but my mum did a brilliant job on the illustrations and they deserve to be seen by the wider public!

In fact I have just taken a copy to my local library - wonder if anyone will take it out?

Caxton

typical.  We finally cross paths briefly but Lesley is no longer on board.  Due to her input way back when, I have led lights all over the place blazing away and the batteries don't even wince.  However as soon as himself is on board and puts on just one of the halogen wall lights they wake up and take notice.

I was pleasantly surprised at the weather this morning all bright and sunshiny.  Which was a shame as I was stuck indoors working - but this afternoon the forecast rain has arrived so I don't mind anymore.

I moved twice yesterday managing a total of about 2 miles!  The first one was round the corner and down a lock with the washing machine doing it's stuff.  A boat waiting to go up the lock worried me as he said it was windy through the iron bridge so I panicked and moored up at Shugborough.  Hung out the washing to dry and mopped up the leaking coolant in the engine bay - Nothing is obviously the culprit since I tightened up a couple of jubilee clips.  So I have left strategic containers with kitchen towels wrapped and laid out as appropriate.

When I moved the car I saw that there was plenty of room where I had wanted to moor in the first place so I moved again.  Walking up the towpath I had a brief conversation with a lady who was following behind her husband as they polished their boat, then as I was boating past we continued with the conversation.  Husband was very confused as he had only registered the second half which made no sense at all without the first half.

As of this morning no tale tell drips of coolant that I can see.  May have to fire up the central heating just in case that is the culprit.

A heads up to my lovely followers I do not plan on doing much in the way of blogging until after July when I will show you the new livery and artwork on the good ship Bobcat.  This is because I will not be moving far or often and  have absolutely nothing interesting to say.  I have discovered that pain has a way of turning me into an utter whinging wimp. So I am not going to inflict me me me on you anymore.

So toodle pip and thanks for following.

as Arnie says

I'll be back ...

Beware one armed bandit

is on the move.  I do not plan to move again in windy weather as I was very concerned as I boated along that if I met another boat in a bridge hole there was a risk that I would get well and truly stuck.

Does anyone know the signal for 'I'm an idiot let me through first?'

Water was an essential as I ran out last night.  Diesel was also taken on board - ouch.

Unfortunately we couldn't access the front tank as it was on the wrong side and it was proving extremely difficult (nay impossible) to open. I hope that tank doesn't run out before the towpath changes sides and I can have another go.

I was a lady of leisure today as another boater helped me through the two locks of the day.  We then took the dog for a lovely walk around Shugbrough and Tixall.  I didn't fall over which is always a bonus.