It’s been a brighter and better day, thank goodness! I’m humbled by your messages of support and acknowledgement – thank you. We’ve moved a few miles along the Shropshire Union Canal to fill up with water after poor Kim experienced rather a shock this morning halfway through washing her hair when the tank emptied.
Barry returned from disposing of our collected rubbish at Calveley Services, three miles or so away, with some more rubbish a few useful items. I’ve heard of beach-combing. In fact it’s one of my favourite pastimes given half a chance. I’d be perfectly happy living in a beach shack on the east coast of NZ and beach-comb every day. But today was bin-combing! No such word again of course. Like apocaloptimist. I made it up. But you get my drift aye?
The stash included:
- A tyre perfect for our mooring to use as a fender to protect Areandare’s hull from ‘The Shroppie Shelf’
- A fold-up bike, albeit in need of a fair amount of TLC (Barry has more than enough time for that atm)
- Two enamel plates ideal for our brazier BBQs
- And a Frisbee!
Even better than charity shop shopping I’d say, and free to boot!
Cows Gazing While grazing …
As we meandered adjacent to a cow-field, the grazing cows migrated to the canal side in wonderment. It felt as if the sight of humans on a narrowboat is as rare nowadays as plane trails in the sky. More about those rarities in tomorrow’s post …
Provisions Lock-Out
The plan to stock up with milk, bread and chocolate (quite obviously an essential lockdown item!) came to a grinding halt on the return journey. Barry assures me the garage had looked open on the outward stretch, but by the time we’d got water, bin-combed, turned around and found our way back, it was in lock-down. Padlocks on the gates. Shutters closed on the shop. No sweeties stock-up for us today!
On a happier note, I thoughtfully shot a short (tongue-twister alert!) one-minute video of our leisurely cruise to the winding hole, as I thought some of you may appreciate seeing it. I hope whatever device you’re using it works for you:
Another Symptom-less Day
To be honest, whether I’m feeling up or down, so long as we can report another symptom-less day at the moment I’m okay. I was overjoyed this morning to see on the COVID-19 symptom tracker, they’d almost reached half-way to their target of 5 million people.
Three More Lockdown Weeks – At Least …
Here in UK, thankfully, it’s been announced today that we’re to remain in lockdown for at least another three weeks. Tough, yes. But better in the long-term for both lives and the economy.
We’re still seeing boats passing-by we’ve not seen previously during the lockdown, which is a little concerning. However we trust they all have legitimate ‘essential’ reasons. Canal and River Trust have sent an update to all boaters this evening, with a slight addition to their list of essential journeys:
“If you are currently living on your boat, you should only move it in the following, essential, circumstances:
- to access water or waste facilities
- to access essential food and supplies
- to access urgent medical treatment
- for emergency mechanical service for your boat
- for emergency vet treatment for your pet
- to move to a quieter towpath nearby where it is too busy where you are
For clarity, your boat should not be used for any leisure cruising.” CRT Coronavirus & boating update, 16 Apr 2020
Please boaters, heed the advice and keep us all as safe as possible.
As for people using the towpaths:
“We are continuing to put out the message that, while our towpaths remain open, use of them should be for those who are local, in support of the Government’s ‘stay at home’ campaign.
To this end, thousands of signs have been put up around the network as we continue to remind the public that towpath use should be limited. Our message to all users is to keep your distance from other people and moored boats, strictly observe social distancing at all times, and follow the latest advice from the Government. We are advising that people should not congregate, stand aside to allow others to pass when necessary, and make full use of the towpath width.” CRT Coronavirus & boating update, 16 Apr 2020
It’s going to be a long journey for us all, let’s continue to support each other through the peaks and troughs.
Great reading thhis
Thanks Rhonda
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When people live full time on their yachts and cruising, they affectionately call themselves “grotty yachties”. A favourite pastime and common occurence to check out the rubbish bin areas, especially in more affluent areas, for items left beside the bins. Also when working on your boat in the boat yard and you just need a small piece of plywood, plastic or metal, they can often be found in the skip bin. We always called this “bin diving” done by “bin divers”.
Love it! Not just us water gypsies then 😂? My friend Helen calls it ‘skip-diving’ but I liked the play on words with ‘beach-combing’ 😉
I’m not sure we have such a thing as ‘more affluent areas’ in the canals … it’s a bit of anathema in terms I suspect 🤔🤭
Love that symptom tracker 🙂 … information is just as essential as testing and a vaccine … and toilet paper, of course! 🙂
Me too. Watching the webinar was fascinating. The more ‘subjects’ in the research the more valid the information. It’s a scary but interesting journey for the human race (who needed to stop racing imho!) 😉