Nine years after his first successful UK visa application, Barry finally receives his British passport from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
UK Spousal Sponsored Visa
Telling Our Truth About Narrowboat Trading – Gone Live!
We're proud to be in the Narrowboat Experience's mini-series on 'the real narrowboat experiences of the United Kingdom'. Telling it from our perspective ...
Back on Board Before Retreating and Picking Up Barry’s ILTR Permit
Travelling back to Barry on Wednesday involved a variety of transport. Firstly a water bus to the airport, which took an hour. Very pleasant. Then a couple of hours wait turned into three, as the first flight to Amsterdam,was delayed. I'd been tempted by the offer to check in my hand baggage for free as … Continue reading Back on Board Before Retreating and Picking Up Barry’s ILTR Permit
Day Fifteen – Living In Interesting Times and Good News to Report
We've noticed a prolific amount of posters titled "May You Live In Interesting Times", but not really investigated what they were promoting. Until that is, we decided to wander along the waterway after our buffet breakfast, and found a garden filled with spectacular sculptures. Wow! Again! Just before walking, we went up in the lift … Continue reading Day Fifteen – Living In Interesting Times and Good News to Report
Day Twelve – Plus Ca Change To Colmar
After yesterday's uplifting (pun intended!) experience, this morning felt as damp as the weather. Packing and cleaning and wondering why we bought so much bottled water and kitchen towels amongst other excesses! It was a short lived dampness though as the day definitely brightened incrementally. After a complex conversation or two, we managed to get … Continue reading Day Twelve – Plus Ca Change To Colmar
Day Nine – A Slow Start To Astounding Saverne
We mirrored the unrelenting rain in UK this morning, so weren't in a rush to move from our quiet mooring. Once we did, thankfully we had the choice of inside driving. Such a treat! The first two shots below were taken by Kerry yesterday, aren't they great? We'd planned a stop at the factory shop … Continue reading Day Nine – A Slow Start To Astounding Saverne
Day Seven – Wet But Wonderful
We knew the rain was imminent today. And had prepared ourselves for the change. Luckily it turned out to be less persistent than expected. There was no-one to be found anywhere to pay for our overnight Marina mooring, so we had no choice but to dispose of our rubbish, fill up with water, and cast … Continue reading Day Seven – Wet But Wonderful
Day Four – Au Revoir Cabourg Bonjour Strasbourg
I can't put into words what a poignant, special time it's been for me to spend 48 hours with our family friends Odile and Bruno. Dad met Odile's father Jean during his travels around Europe, by bike (he was a superb Time Trial cyclist), in the late 1940's. They remained firm friends and our respective … Continue reading Day Four – Au Revoir Cabourg Bonjour Strasbourg
Day Three – Blood Red Turned to Blue
Seeing a blood red sky last night felt rather poignant on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings. Although here in Cabourg we share the same beach (it's many miles long), this wasn't the place where the boats came and many men were doomed. We've not noticed any disruption here, being … Continue reading Day Three – Blood Red Turned to Blue
Day Two – Making The Most of The Adventure
Still no news on Barry's visa today. Nothing left to do to change that so I'm determined to make the most of each day and trust it WILL arrive soon. The overnight Brittany Ferry Mont St Michel went smoothly. We'd booked reclining seats which were in a small 'private' lounge. Not that you'd notice the … Continue reading Day Two – Making The Most of The Adventure
Day One – We Never Expected This
We knew it was a gamble when we impetuously decided not to 'Fast Track' Barry's ILR visa on the day of submitting the application in mid January. We've since questioned ourselves incessantly about the rationale of that decision. We recall thinking it was a possibility we'd miss our booked trip to Amsterdam in April (when … Continue reading Day One – We Never Expected This
Not Looking Good For ‘The Captain’
I've been absent. I know. It's been intentional. To be perfectly frank I've been so p---ed off I haven't felt like writing here. For over six years now, we've been on the often tortuous visa journey of making it 'legal' for my husband of almost ten years to be 'allowed' to stay with me in … Continue reading Not Looking Good For ‘The Captain’
Final ILTR Visa Documents Submitted
This week we submitted the final documents and evidence to support Barry's Spousal Sponsored Visa application and Indefinite Leave to remain. Now we wait ...
A Succession of Summer Visitors – part 1
Once again it's been a while since we posted. To be honest we're considering stopping this blog, as we could possibly be portraying that life on the UK Inland Waterways is too amazing leading to everyone wanting to come and share a taste of it! Maybe we'll start writing about the pitfalls instead of the … Continue reading A Succession of Summer Visitors – part 1
A Bostin time in Boston despite Stump and Windmill disappointments
We suspect few narrowboats venture as far east as Boston - especially during the harshness of the British winter. Since leaving Nottingham two weeks ago, we've only seen two other moving boats, each in quick succession, not far from Saxilby. As we're ticking off the few Inland Waterway routes we've NOT yet navigated (there's not … Continue reading A Bostin time in Boston despite Stump and Windmill disappointments
Maintaining a healthy balance of boating and land-life
So much has happened since I last blogged. I frequently have an intention to post an update, and then get waylaid ... Consequently I've a strong suspicion the blog could be a casualty as one of the spinning plates that I'll allow to stop spinning temporarily, on and off, over the coming weeks and months. … Continue reading Maintaining a healthy balance of boating and land-life
A Marvellous Merry Hill and Magnificent Eagerly Awaited News!
Last weekend Barry and many other traders settled into the embankment at Merry Hill for a Roving Canal Traders Association Floating Market. The event began on the Friday afternoon and evening, featuring an 'Illuminated Boats' spectacle. I was sad to miss the fun of the bustling days and frivolities of the evenings, though I too … Continue reading A Marvellous Merry Hill and Magnificent Eagerly Awaited News!
Timely extra special evidence from C&RT and ‘YOURS’ for Barry’s visa application
It doesn't take a genius to recognise our living and working circumstances are a little outside the 'norm'. As 'Continuous Cruisers', living aboard a 60 foot long, six-foot ten inches wide narrowboat, we're not terribly conducive to ticking boxes exercises. Both being self-employed, running three quite different businesses, only adds to the complexity for those in authority comparing … Continue reading Timely extra special evidence from C&RT and ‘YOURS’ for Barry’s visa application
Will We Be Remaining in – Barry’s Visa update
"What the world needs now, is love, sweet love" The recent referendum has been, and looks like continuing to be, an interesting time here in UK. Barry and I are registered as voters, and as I was with mum last week, I was able to put my mark in the ballot box - admittedly with … Continue reading Will We Be Remaining in – Barry’s Visa update