1st & 2nd February
We seem to have started February in the same cold mode as we left January; I'm glad I got in a good stock of coal before settling here on the Wide. The Newflame is OK as a fuel, burning well, but some investigation on the web suggests that, like its stable mate, Coalite, it's really intended for open fires, although approved for closed stoves like the Squirrel.
It burns with more flame than most solid fuels, and doesn't keep in overnight very well at all. Nonetheless, it does its job of heating the boat, and that's the main thing, especially when there's only the one of us rattling round in it.
I've been spending a fair bit of time snuggled up in Sheila's usual chair (which is nearer the stove than mine), reading and watching DVDs. I've also been heading for bed quite early, even by my standards. If at nine in the evening it's a choice between putting more coal on the fire or going to bed and reading there, the decision kind of makes itself.
The only thing is, the last two nights I've put the light out at ten, had a good night's sleep, and thus woken around six having had my eight hours. It then becomes a question of how long I can stay in bed before the twin attractions of the loo and a cup of tea drive me forth.
Mind you, it's then very pleasant to hop back in again, listening to the radio and drinking the tea until the prospect of the end of my hour's run of the heating encourages me to get up.
That's how it was yesterday. Once breakfasted, I spent the day in a mixture of internet browsing, going to the village for a loaf and a paper, lazing about reading as described and actually cleaning the boat a bit, sweeping the floor, washing the dirty bits of it and, after recharging it, using the mini Dyson, Blake, to get into the corners and so forth.
Just after lunch I was contemplating actually going out for a walk, when Golden Eagle came chugging past, blowing its horn and shouting that they were mad to be boating in the snow. We last met them in Weston on 28 April 2007, when we helped them eat a load of barbequed meat.
This drew my attention to the fact that it was indeed snowing, so I gave up on the walk idea and tried to watch The Draughtsman's Contract instead, but didn't stick it more than half way through. I guess I'm just not that into art house films, even ones described as erotic.
It came across about as erotic as a banana and peanut butter sandwich to me, but maybe I'm just blasé.
It snowed on and off all afternoon and evening, with a fair bit of wind still pushing it around
Today was much the same, only with more snow. There's no real ice on the cut as yet – just a bit by the moorings at the end of the Staffs and Worcs, but there was enough snow about to make it necessary to walk carefully.
I bought some more firelighters in the village, just to be on the safe side, and I've started watching my collection of the Lord of the Rings DVDs all the way through, which should keep me busy for a few days.
Incidentally, I went to check the Met Check site this morning and it was down because overloaded; guess that's my fault for name checking it the other day☺.
Checking the bank accounts when I got a fast connection again (it's been a bit variable over the last 24 hours) I found that BW have finally taken my licence fee, so that's all right.
It's still snowing as I write this, so it's going to be another quiet afternoon and evening. I'm just glad I don't live in a house with all the hassles of frozen pipe work and the risk of power cuts when snow overloads the lines. My only problem is that I reckon I'll have to go to Anglo Welsh again by the weekend to get more diesel; I must have used half a tank by now, so only around 100 litres left.
5 comments:
We have yet to get our licence or see anyone with a renewed Gold Licence but were pleased to see that our status on http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/license-it/license-it-or-lose-it/online-boat-checker has changed to "This boat is licensed. The owner might have forgotten to display it."
Our discs were unusually late arriving before Christmas, but it's bad if you haven't got yours yet. I guess Jan is their busiest time, because anyone who's ever had a Gold will renew then, but I have the impression that they've got slower since the move to Leeds.
Cheers
Bruce
Best of luck, lots of snow down here in the Chilterns. Good blog as always.
Mike
Wonderful post, Bruce, you really do sell the complete contentment, both of retirement and of living on board. Long may it continue.
Sue, Indigo Dream
Great blog, It's all so true, you sum it up nicely!!!
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