Regents Canal in London

As a young man, like many others, I went off to London in search of fame and fortune, I didn't find either but have to say that I had a fantastic number of years spending more money than I made but hey, I was young. This period in my life has given me a long held love of the place and I think that I know it quiet well. whilst I am glad not to actually be living there anymore, the pace is too fast for me nowadays, I visit at every opportunity, probably four or five times a year. As you well know from the blog, one of my other great loves is canals and anything to do with boats. So how come in all of the years of either living or visiting our great capital have I never walked the Regents canal? Last Saturday, I put this to rights and have spent the time since wondering why I had not done it before.

Up early on Saturday morning to catch a coach to London and I was beginning to regret having booked such an early one but having a shower revitalised me and the excitement of a trip to London was soon flowing.

The coach dropped me off at Marble Arch and the plan was to grab a coffee and head up the Edgeware Road towards the Harrow Road and pick up the Paddington Elbow of the canal. It's a really easy place to find and so central, about ten minutes walk from Oxford Street. almost as soon as I saw the water I felt regret that it had taken me so long to do this. The start, like many city centres where water is concerned, has a few bars and offices surrounding a basin and it looks like more apartments are imminent. Very nicely done but a little too chic for the likes of me.

Walking up the towpath and entering into Venice pool and the start of the Regents canal, I stood there and thought - who would guess that this was here. Tranquil, a smattering of tourists and a wide beam selling coffees and food with tables on a small docks area - made even more pleasant because, whilst not a heat wave, it was bright and warm enough to sit out.

Walking around the pool and heading towards Campden Lock and I found myself walking through the Little Venice area of residential moorings. There was a real sense of community here, the occupiers must see a million tourists each year but still managed to smile and say hello. This was the same along the canal.

Something that I always see on a towpath is a change in peoples attitudes as soon as they are there. Not just out in the country but here in a busy city too. Whilst not over crowded, there were plenty of people about. People that wouldn't give you the time of day or a second glance walking down the street just a few yards away and yet add a canal (or is it water) and everyone smiles, nods or says hello. I love it.

The walk towards Cambden Lock is full of little surprises. The residential areas for boats, the large houses in Regents park backing onto the canal, walking through the London zoo (it has to be the first time that I have seen Hyenas next to a towpath and even a floating Chinese restaurant. The towpath was alive - people walking or cycling or sitting but never felt crowded, it is probably busier in summer but you would expect that.

Just half a mile out side Campden Lock it is still quiet and yet turn the sharp corner and it gets progressively busier until you hit the very popular and bustling Campden Lock Market. The food on sale here was outstanding - my only disappointment was that I couldn't try everything.

Having had a coffee (Yes I know I drink too much coffee) I took a trip back along the canal aboard the water bus before heading over to Covent Garden for dinner having enjoyed my introduction to the regents canal, now knowing that it is going to be a regular haunt.

This weeks "The Boat that Guy Built"

Looking at the BBC website, it looks like this weeks episode is actually going to be about the narrowboat..... However, the site tells us that Guy and Mave are going to be hanging wall paper, doing some traditional painting and making some silk soft furnishings..... I can see this all going horribly wrong. Funny, interesting but wrong.

Well done Oxford

I have to say what a dominant display of rowing the Oxford boat team showed yesterday at The Boat Race. Cambridge looked average and out classed and considering that we all know Cambridge to be a first rate crew, it just goes to show how much the Oxford crew were "on their game".

I would hazard a guess that the next boat race is going to be a corker.... Cambridge will have the bit between their teeth for the next twelve months... Oxford will know this..... Cambridge will know that Oxford know this.......

Mind you, having seen Dan Snows report on the state of the water in the Thames, not sure if I fancy being the cox of the winning boat

Bloody BBC

Just watching the politics show, so blood pressure up anyway, but can't in truth blame the BBC for country's woes.

What I can blame them for is total disregard for their viewers.

I should explain. Whilst I am a Formula 1 fan, I can't claim to be fanatical and to be honest, with the clocks going forward, I couldn't be bothered to get up at the crack of dawn to watch the Australian Grand Prix, especially whilst knowing that it would be shown again at 1pm. So instead I got up at my normal time and was waiting for a good afternoons coverage.

Remember that it's rerun time was 1pm on the BBC.... so why at 12.10 did they (the BBC news)broadcast the result on the news.... I had just got up to make a cup of coffee and they just blurted it out.

If it had been a football match, and knowing that people would be watching it later they would say something like "if you don't want to see the result, please look away now" then put the result on screen. So they must know that the public avoids the results if it is coming up on television. They also know how popular the GP is else they wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to win it off ITV.

I'm going where no man has gone before...

... well sort of, I'm going where no more than a few million have gone before, but that's not the point.

Last night a friend walked through the kitchen door to find me huddled over a map. The conversation went something like this.

Him - "Where you off to"
Me - "Just looking up the route from Braunston to Banbury on the canals"
Him - "We're not going to be bored to death talking about toilets again are we" looking over shoulder "not exactly a lot of planning required is there"
Me - "Well actually there is planning needed, it's not like jumping in the car with a GPS for company"
Him - "But it's just straight down, you cant exactly miss it - do you want to borrow my GPS then"
Me - "it's not that simple, I was looking at where there are pumping out stations and where I can fill with water"
Him - "I knew you were going to bring up poo, you're obsessed with it"
Me - "When my boat is built and you come on holiday you will be glad that I took my planning seriously - anyway I was just looking at where I'm going"
Him - "You know where you're going - Banbury"

Sometimes, whilst waiting for my boat, I just like to look at the maps and dream of where I am going to go, the fact that friends don't understand this makes them the mad ones, not me.

Gloucester to Sharpness Canal

Thought I'd walk some of the Gloucester to Sharpness canal again (a different bit) yesterday and discovered one thing... I can officially run faster than a swan, although in the swans defence it got bored after a few yards and gave up the chase, but I swear I was getting away. In my defence, I had walked to the side of the path to give it some room but I think it wanted to see if I could walk (run) on water.

My walk started near the Tudor Arms, near patch Bridge on the road to Slimbridge Wetland Centre . Then
taking the towpath North having waited for the boats to pass.

NB Landsborough comes through heading North

As everyone will have vrealised the weather was fantastic, sunny and bright,  but I have to say that on the towpath I still had to wear a light jacket because of the breeze coming in off the Severn. Heading North, my aim was for a coffee stop in the village of Frampton on Severn.

Not sure if this was a modern take on a tiller but is a sign for part of the national cycle route



I have to say that Frampton on Severn is a delightful village, said to have the biggest village green in England. It is also home to the  superb Frampton Country Fair held normally in September each year. It also has a rather lovely Tea Rooms called "Jacqueline’s Restaurant"

Having had a rather good cup of coffee and a panini, I realised what time it was so had to sprint (fast amble) back towards my car, a shame really as a bit more of a walk around the village would have been nice. Having said that I will probably be here for the Country Fair in September anyway. Not a bad little walk this if you are in the area., I should imagine that it is 2 to 3 miles each way.



Oxford Canal

Yesterdays walk took us to Oxford. Having driven towards the city center and catching the park and ride (excellent service) into the town center, first stop had to be for a coffee. I've been going to a little coffee shop in Turl Street called "The Missing Bean". I always like to let others know when I have found a little gem , and this is one of them. The only slight problem with it is that it is rather small and all of the locals seem to know about the place, but whilst it is only a few yards off one of the main streets it doesn't get the hordes of tourists.
We then started our walk along the canal, and have to say that it was great fun looking into the back gardens of the houses that back onto the canal, the vast majority of which have a small boat in the garden - can't imagine that these properties are cheap.
Passing the Agenda 21 part of the canal bank, it was lovely to see a father and son off one of the boats, playing together. They had made a bow and arrow and were having real quality time together. The disappointing bit was the state of one of the boats, I wont harp on about it (live and let live and all that) but it was a disgrace.
For two days now, I have forgotten my camera which is a bit annoying to say the least, but will remember it today if it's the last thing I do... We're off (again) to the Gloucester and Sharpness canal.

Hungerford

Went to Hungerford today to walk the canal path. On arrival, thought it best to have a coffee and a sandwich before setting off so popped into a tea rooms on the High Street, near to the canal bridge. Three (very very small) coffees and two toasted sandwiches (I was not alone - I'm not that greedy) later and I had a bill for £17.50..... Oh how that made my day.

Sitting there, I remembered that this was the town that had been in the press some time ago for what has become known as the "Hungerford massacre". Googling it when I got home I was shocked to see that it was nearly 24 years ago now, in August 1987.

Today, with it's scars (at least on the surface - I doubt if they will ever really be) healed, Hungerford is a charming place for a stop off, apart from the price of coffee and sandwiches, so don't pass by, take a while to walk up the high street, but don't forget to say a little prayer for those that died that day in 1987.

Canal Boat Holiday

Saw this on YouTube... Mmmm It's funny how people persevere canal holidays and yet we all want to go. If you have never been on a canal boat holiday - you want to, if you have been on a canal boat holiday you want to go again, and everyone wants to live on one.... but as with most things British - we have to see the funny side of our mishaps.

I'd love to live on a Narrowboat

I have wanted to live on a narrowboat since I was 16 years old. Like most people at that age, whilst it was my dream, I didn't have the money and for some strange reason my parents refused to sell the family home and buy a canal boat. My excuse for this behaviour was that my parents were muggles (I hope you've read Harry Potter). My peers on the other hand thought it was a brilliant idea, one of my better ones, and constantly encouraged me to nag my parents to within an inch of their lives. It was all to no avail.

This was followed by two marriages where both of them refused point blank to adhere to what they both, in their own ways, called a whimsical dream.

Strangely enough, when talking to absolutely anyone else (who has no baring on my decision making) I have heard nothing but praise for my dream and the sentence most of these folks start their reply with is "I'd love to live on a narrowboat". It appears that the only four people who don't are my parents and two wives. How unlucky am I. At least now that I am an adult (old man), single and able to take my destiny into my own hands I can forge ahead with my dreams.

When I say that everyone that I have met has wanted to live on a canal I may be exaggerating slightly but in reality it really is nearly everyone. I know that very few will actually go ahead and do it, there is always a reason not to. Not enough money, children's schooling, jobs, when they retire and the kids have flown the nest, we are too old now are not excuses, they are genuine reasons to most people. Most like the romantic idea of living afloat but are dissuaded by what they see as the practicalities. In fairness, why wouldn't they be put off? Whilst it is a romantic notion, there are practical problems to be solved and unless you are 100% committed to this change in lifestyle it will probably end in heart ache. No more than decisions made without proper thought on land, but heart ache none the less.

So, seeing that MyraMyra is not even built yet, how can I be so sure that this is the right decision for me? Well, I can't but I have taken every step to make sure that what little money I have is invested in this project with eyes wide open, rose tinted glasses taken off and above all I have tried to see the pitfalls as well as the romance. There is no romance at a pump out station.

Here is a little about what I have done to investigate this move of mine and some advice for those of you considering the same.
I have lived afloat before - OK it was on a sailing boat in the Caribbean for three years, not exactly a comparison to living on a canal in Oxfordshire with two feet of snow on the tow path and the heating on the blink, but it did give me an insight into living in what amounts to a confined space (your already in trouble if you see it as a cell), the practicalities of living on a boat such as "where does the poo go" ( a favourite subject of boaters worldwide), where is my electricity going to come from and does Tesco deliver to a towpath. As has been mentioned before in previous blog posts, not questions you have to ask yourself ashore but important ones afloat. There are a million other questions that can be added to this list - and they all need addressing.

Walking the tow path. I know that walking the towpath is not living on a boat but it has great advantages when making your mind up if this is the life for you. I understand that most people that live in London, as I have done in the past, walk to work with their head down or sit on a tube with their head in a book - social intercourse takes place with people you know or come directly into contact with. The canal life is different - conversations with complete strangers is the norm, helping others becomes a way of life and they embrace everyone and anyone that wants information on living this lifestyle - so start your walk and have as many conversations, you'll probably be offered a cup of coffee and ask all of those questions that are consuming your thoughts as you sit at your city desk. I have found that there are as many reasons for living afloat as there are boats on the canal system. Some of them will strike a chord with you and others will give you some idea of what you want to avoid. It doesn't matter who you talk to, talk to anyone. I have had conversations from why they moved onto a boat, how do they make a living, do they continually cruise or live on a mooring, what internet connection do they have to where are they headed next. The questions, and sometimes the answers, are irrelevant - what is relevant is getting the feel of how things work and most importantly, how will they work for you.

Taking a holiday afloat is an obvious one - but when, why and how are questions that need addressing. To say that you have had a number of holidays afloat is quite frankly not good enough. I met a couple who had been on a canal boat holiday on several occasions, all with the same company, from the same base, at the same time of year (July). When they eventually bought a boat to live on it would be an understatement to say that it came as a bit of a shock. On holiday, they had never needed to pump out, fill with fuel, plan ahead to make sure they had the basics in, in case bad weather was upon them. Why should they have - they were on holiday after all. Seeing these trips (I have even more planned) as an exercise (I still enjoy them immensely but try to steer away from holiday mentality), I have gained a lot of knowledge. I take holidays at different times of year. In July I learnt about boat rage (not mine) as the queues to go through locks at Braunston became heavy to say the least. I pumped out the toilets (even though they didn't need doing) on a wet and very cold October day to see the practicality of it. I walked from Avoncliff to Bradford upon Avon in the snow, along the tow path, to see the realities of bringing home the bacon (actual bacon in this case) and many more such "experiments". I know it's not the same as doing it every day, day in day out, but, at least it is an insight.

I have read countless books from "Narrowboat" by Rolt to "Narrowboat planning" by Graham Booth. I subscribe to (and more importantly - read) numerous narrowboat based blogs, been to a number of events (Crick is a great one if you get the chance), taken canal based walks, talked at length with various members of the boating community, watched DVDs and even been on You Tube. I think that I have done all of the research that I can to make sure that my decision to live afloat is the right one for me. that's not to say that I will stop researching the lifestyle as I now focus on researching toilet systems, water tanks, heating systems, internet systems, electrical systems, props, working onboard a boat that is continually cruising - lets face it, the list is endless.

So why am I taking all of this research so much to heart, given that my life to date has been pretty much a "seat of my pants" experience? Well, it would be unfair to call it my "Swan Song" as I'm only 48 (49 on September the 3rd if you want to send a card, preferably with money inside) but financially speaking it has to be a long term investment. I'm unlikely to win the lottery (I always forget to buy a ticket) and I have no inheritances (barring an unknown rich uncle) to look forward to, having been divorced twice has taken it's toll as well (not a moan, just a fact) and  what I have in the pensions that I have been paying into will keep me well but I will never be rich (ideas for a best selling novel, and an ability to write them would be most welcomed). Luckily for me - I don't want to be rich, just happy.

Tuesday Morning Blues

Don't worry, I'm not on a rant.... merely venting some pent up emotion for my own benefit (sorry in advance) by writing about it.

Starting about 18 months ago... my life became a bit of a chore.

In the early part of 2009, I was diagnosed as having acromegally, a tumor attached to the pituitary gland  on the brain. Very surprised by this, not the having a tumor bit that could happen to anyone but having a brain for it to attach itself to. With excellent medical care it was removed and life had just started to move on.
A short time later, my sister was told that she had breast cancer and that a full mastectomy was required.... in fact I found it harder to deal with this than being ill myself. Again, medical care took care of this and we thanked our luck stars that it had been caught early enough to prevent disaster.
Sitting on my patio, my wife and I got into a conversation, an adult one, no shouting or blame throwing but decided to end our marriage - neither of us were happy - we loved each other but were no longer "in love".
About 12 hours after having this conversation - my employer walked around the corner, telling me that it was time to call it a day and that I had a weeks notice..... at this time all I could think was "BUGGER", a wordsmith I am not.
I moved in with my sister last September, in the attempt of getting myself together. Luckily for me she has been a rock, both emotionally and financially. On moving I found a job that lasted about three months, I'm not going to name the company but it was hell.... I left as a friend had recommended a company, just in time to find that 2 months in they are having a major downturn and the work is at a premium.... last in, first out and all that, so I find myself looking for work again. I don't want much, just enough to live on and give my sister some house keeping instead of feeling like a bum.
My sister returned from work yesterday in despair - she is a NHS practise manager and had been working hard to resolve an (what amounts to be personal) issue between two staff members, but had gone into work to find that one of them (off work with stress) had made a complaint about her handling of the situation... basically she didn't like the outcome. My sister is the type to worry about this, and if you knew her you would soon realise that she will have done her job to the letter, with empathy. I know that she shouldn't worry about this posturing (by her staff member) exercise, but I know she will.

THEN

Last night, we were having our meal, in front of the television, both feeling down but not actually talking about it when we started to watch Jon Snows report from Japan - If there is one thing that is consistent in life it is that there are people out there that are worse off than ourselves. Watching the report, I said to my sister "it puts things in perspective doesn't it". We didn't need to have a discussion about it - we are actually OK as opposed to those poor souls who have lost absolutely everything, family, friends, livelihoods and their homes. I know that aid will come their way, but it will only replace the material things, not the emotional.

So this morning, I will wash my car because you could grow mushrooms on it, then go and do the few very small jobs that I have been given by the company and on the internet applying for jobs - why? - because LIFE GOES ON. As humans we have the great ability to keep bouncing back... making a go of our lot. In truth, whilst the events unfolding in Japan are heart wrenching, what keeps me going is the thought that one day I will be cruising the cut, not without it's own problems, but a dream to get me up in the mornings.



Has Spring sprung

Today's jaunt (slow ambling walk) took my sister and I down the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. Well, not all of it as it's 16 miles long.... we parked the car at the swing bridge above Saul Junction then walked down as far as the junction itself, had a coffee and a flapjack and walked back.

A wide shipping canal (serving Gloucester docks), very different to the Kennet and Avon that we have been walking lately, the sun on our backs and a very quiet towpath provided a superb setting before returning to work on Monday.

An old Barge provides a fantastic window box, and later (on our return journey) an ideal fishing platform for some local (not so local originally - they were from Poland) anglers.

As NB Lazy Blue approaches we can get a better idea of how wide this canal is.

Approaching Saul Junction with it's swing bridge and keepers cottage. The swing bridges on this route are manned.

NB Emma Jane chugging North Bound looked like the Marie Celeste, the person on board had the kettle on, he appeared seconds later with a mug in hand. Try doing that on the M5....













Yesterdays Walk @ Caen Hill Locks

So, Caen Hill locks was our starting point again this week, there is a coffee shop just off the car park after all. Last time we started here we walked as far as Devizes, had a wander around the Town and then back to the car. This time we started with the downhill stretch towards Seend.

Going Down, I didn't catch the name of this live aboard, but hazard a guess at about four hours to complete the flight of locks at Caen Hill.

Guess where we have got to.

Playing around, a bit too heavily, with a HDR technique in photography, but sort of liked the effect.

Work is still going on here but they seem to have gone streets ahead over the last couple of weeks. at least you can get through now.

I love the way that canals lend themselves to playing around with images to give them that bygone age look.

We walked down as far as, just outside Seend, which just so happened to marry up with the fact that there was a pub (The Three Magpies) there. It seems that pubs have become roundabouts on my walks, they always seem to be the turning round to go back points.



Tsunami in Japan

With the news of the Tsunami hitting Japan after massive 8/9 earthquakes, I am glued to the news channel. Lets hope that no more are reported dead although this is some slim hope. My thoughts go to all of those that are effected.

A bit of extra pin money

For those of you that have read this blog, or know or have met me, will know that I am a photographer. I'd call myself professional although my bank manager may disagree.
I mainly have three types of photography that I focus (good pun me thinks) on. Wedding photography which is self explanatory, portrait photography, which again is self explanatory and stock photography.

It is the stock photography that I would like to jot down a few snippets about today, because some of you keen photographers might be interested.

Firstly, I'll explain stock photography and it's close brother, microstock.

Years ago, if a company wanted a photograph for it's brochure, it would come up with a concept, hire a photographer, model, art director etc and produce what they needed. This had the disadvantage of being expensive and out of reach for most small businesses. Nowadays, they can go onto a stock site and purchase the rights to use a photograph for a few pennies. As an example - visit a site like istockphoto, put any subject into the search bar and you will see what I mean. This has the advantage of being cheap and is a simple alternative to most companies, web designers, blog writers etc.

The advantage to the photographer at this stage may not be apparent, but in truth makes sense.

It is unlikely that out of the millions of photographers worldwide that I would be chosen to shoot a canal boat going through a lock. However, I may have photographs of this subject that I have placed with some of the microstock sites. It's true that I may only get a few pounds for the image as opposed to a few hundred had I done a professional photographic shoot but it still has it's advantages.

The likely hood is that over a period of time, an image may sell hundreds of times (that's just one image from a shoot) so eventually I receive the same amount as a shoot done in the conventional way - and that's if I had been commissioned in the first place. Secondly, some images can sell for years and years giving me a residual income.

So making your millions out of stock photography is unlikely (although some do) but as a bit of pin money it is a worker. Build up enough of a library and in the future it will add a few pounds each month to your pension.

There are a few issues to be noted before you go headlong into sending off your entire back catalogue of images.

1. Stock agencies (all different) have a minimum number of mega pixels being required.
2. All images need to be pin sharp
3. Images with noise (grainy bits) will not be accepted
4. If a person is in the photograph, then a model release form will be required (download from micro site)

So the best bet is to read through their submissions policy.... Don't let this put you off though. There is also the "editorial image" that is news worthy where some of these (including model release form) are not required. So if you have a picture of the Queen takinga boat down the canal - get it out there.

If you would like to learn more, have a look at micro stock blogs like Microstock Diaries or just drop me a line.

The Boat That Guy Built

I have to admit that if a TV programme has the words photography, canal, waterway or narrowboat in the title - you can count on the fact that I'll be watching it (I'll even watch it twice if Claudia Winkleman is presenting it). So over the last few weeks, the BBC having advertised (quite heavily) the TV series "The Boat that Guy Built", I was looking forward to sitting down each week for a canal  / narrowboat fix, cup of coffee in hand.

I have to say that as a programme about narrowboats I have been disappointed, especially in the title (a little misleading at the moment), but as a programme I have to say that I am enjoying it a great deal.
The presenter, Guy Martin, is what my mum would have called a character. Motorbike racer and mechanic, Guy loves everything that made the UK (he keeps saying England but I refuse to listen to that bit) great.

Guy happens to be the type of person that I could easily become friends with, he's my type of guy. Friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic about life and will laugh at almost anything or any situation. But, there is always a but, I can see how he could wind some viewers up the wrong way. what the hell, it takes all sorts to make the world go around. Having said that, I do think the programme cheats a bit in its making.

In the first episode, Guy and his best mate Mave attempt to make a cast iron kettle (turned out to be a pot) ans build a furnace. In truth the making of the metal was helped along a bit by adding some scrap. Watching them go through the Anderton boat lift (@ Northwich in Cheshire) was a treat - an amazing bit of kit when we sit back and take it all in. Probably something we would be too busy to look at were we actually going through it ourselves.

In the second episode guy and Mave make their version of a power shower and some original type soap.... it looks like Guy hasn't much experience with soap - and wants it to smell like the hand cleaner you get in garages. Funny when you think about it.

Well, love it or hate it (I'm in the love it camp), if you haven't watched it yet I would recommend you give it a go.



My Thanks go to....

My thanks have to go to Noel at Heritage Boats of Evesham this week. I popped in, out of the blue, yesterday to have a mooch around and Noel managed to answer all of my questions without a hitch - a really nice guy. I have arranged for a quote on a hull and they are now firmly in the running. Whilst they have hull manufacturing facilities in Evesham, most of their work is produced in Poland. If only we (here in the UK) could produce that quality of work for the same price. I don't want to get into any politics of why we can't or don't but it really is a shame. Because the hull that I am after is out of the norm, it is probable that if they get the job it will be completed at their Evesham yard.

Nothing to do with canals or narrowboats

Just thought I'd share some work from my day job.....



This was a wedding shoot that I did at the Gherkin building in the city of London..... As I mentioned briefly before, I'm a photographer, taking mainly stock photography but also undertake wedding and portrait photography when asked.

Better late than never

I had a call from my first wife (she lives in Colorado) today, and during the conversation I mentioned that I would be buying a narrowboat this year.... Her comment - "About bloody time, you've been talking about it since we were 16".... my god - how time flies, seems as if this has been a project lasting 32 years so far.

Crick boat show

With a weekend ticket for myself and some family members ordered, a B&B booked, all I have to do now is wait. Crick boat show here I come.

So what is it that I am most looking forward to?

Well, there is a list.... I will be making my final decision on my boat purchase that weekend... so I guess that's the biggy.
Meeting other boaters.... always a good thing.
Being near "the scene".
And talking about finishing touches with suppliers (of course the subject of poo will come up - it's causing me hours of thought), together with pumps, insulation, wiring looms, lighting.... in fact, you name it. I'm not exactly in a rush at this stage but it will be great to see things in one place to compare and get a handle on them.

Can't wait

Until my narrowboat is decided upon, bought, finished and on the water, I feel land locked.... so booked another week on "Little Gem" through Rose Narrowboats based Rugby. The idea for the week is to head towards Banbury to meet up with my cousins, taking my sister with me to introduce her to the waterways... I really can't wait.

Where does all of the poo go?

Out walking today with my sister, our conversation started with her question. Where does all of the poo go? From my days living on a sail boat, it's a subject that I could talk about for hours.... but that's not where I'm going here. We all know that there are considerations to living on board a boat, but whole new realms of thought go into the buying process of acquiring a boat as opposed to buying a house. We would never have to ask an estate agent as to the final destination of last nights dinner. I cant imagine asking him / her.... is this house fitted with pump out, cassette, composting?
All of this and a million other subjects like it just goes to show how we mere humans can reorganise our priorities to our particular needs at any given time. How clever are we?
Now, sat in my central heated, well lit dining room with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand.... I have to start thinking about... how will I generate my electricity and keep my batteries charged? Will I fit a log burner or diesel heater or both? Can I rejig to fit in a bath as well as a shower? Not rocket surgery... but all part of the process that I'm going through just now.

Kennet and Avon canal walk

Walking the Kennet and Avon today, partly because I always walk on canal towpaths and partly because I'm on a loose weight and get fit campaign.... 1 stone so far folks. Starting at the canal centre at Limpley Stoke and heading towards Bradford upon Avon.

Crossing the aqueduct

 Hard to see, but yes, it's a lifeboat (ferry/cruise ship type). I just love peoples ingenuity to living the alternative life style.....

 The Cross Guns PH at Avoncliff..... so much for my diet..... but seeing that I have to walk all of the way back, in I go - I couldn't help it, it was like a siren on the rocks

 Amazing - add a little sepia toning and this could have been the scene from years gone by.

Where does a narrowboat come from

I know it's a bit of a strange title, it's not meant to confuse.... although.... having said that, I have to say that I'm in three minds or at least, it appears as if I have three options - given that my chice is to travel the canals and inland waterways and not go to sea or live permenently on a tidal (and wide) river or even an estuary. Also the length is important (maybe thats why my wife and I split up), as I want to be able to travel the Northern waterways should I desire. I guess what I'm saying is that I dont want to be restricted.

Option 1. To buy a pre loved narrowboat.
Option 2. To buy a completed new narrowboat or
Option 3. To but a new sailaway narrowboat and take on some of the work myself.

Then add to the mix the widebeam option. In truth I have already ruled this out, the idea of space is fantastic, but as mentioned earlier, I don't want my travels restricted. Given that my cousin lives in Banbury and I want to visit often, I feel that I would be.

Then start to consider the traditional, semi traditional or cruiser options, and all of this before we get inside.

Choices choices choices.....

With option 1 there are the advantages of - see - fall in love - have a survey - buy - start engine and set off.
With option 2 there is the advantage of having a say in the interior layout and peace of mind of being new.
With option 3 there are the advantages of the new boat without all of the initial expense

So, lets take a more in depth look at each option, throw in a few of my thoughts and with luck - someone out there will send me their opinions. In the process of learning I have spoken with about a 100  people that live on boats (all of them very very nice people - but more about the people later) and I have read about a zillion books (more about the books that I have read later too) and it seems that I am singularly responsible for the share price in "Amazon" going up.... but with each bit of information, I try to keep my mantra in mind. "How does this effect me and what do I want". This statement in it self comes across (even as I write it) as self absorbed and selfish. With all intents and purposes it is meant to be. After all, now that I am single, the next stage of my life is about me and what I want.

I am going to keep swapping between options now - just rambling on to bring out my thoughts on the process. I will add to this particular thread as I go along my journey.

The Pre Loved option
When ever I get on a boat, there are parts of it that I will fall in love with and there are parts that I think could be improved upon. True I could alter it around a bit but that's not the point that I'm trying to make. I don't want to fall in love with bits of it - I want to fall in love with the whole. I am also very fickle, one moment I will be on a very traditionally decorated boat and think that it's the best thing since sliced bread and the next I'm on a boat with a contemporary feel and I'm instantly going down my less is more train of thought. The easy answer would be to buy three narrowboats - but alas that's not an option.

The completed new narrowboat
Lets face it, everyone likes to be the first to own a boat, have a say in it's design and be there at the birth (so to speak) and whilst boat builders are, on the whole, the experts in bringing it all together, there is a price to pay. I know that this is probably the best option for me - but I'm also aware of my financial position.

The sailaway new narrowboat
On the face of it, this is my ideal option. It's new, I have a say in the design, I save money by doing some of the work myself , I can allow the interior to morph into my perfect place and and and... However, the part that really worries me about this is the number of stories that I have heard of people starting a project and not finishing it for any number of reasons. Some times it's financial, sometimes it's because they have become bored with living on a building site, sometimes they realise that they have bitten off more than they can chew and sometimes it's because they are working so hard on the boat that they realise that they are not actually achieving the lifestyle that they had originally set out for..... could this (any one of them) happen to me? I like to think "not", but I guess in reality it could.

So. who am I

My name is Nick. I'm 48 years old, I have hair (I call it brown, others call it grey) and most of my teeth, I'm a photographer

Having separated from my wife (I've had two so far) and being very aware that to "start again" on the housing market at my age is not really on the cards, I have decided to live on a boat (not for the first time). But having said that, it is not a matter of beggars can't be choosers (OK, there is a little of that too), I've always wanted to live on a narrowboat and was only stopped by my domestic situation. Both of them said - No. Now that I am back in charge, with no one to answer to, the decision has been made.

I have been taking a long hard look at not where I have been but where I want to go. The life style, the people, the ability to up sticks and move (no, I'm not on the run), the freedom of canal boat living all seem to tick the right boxes. That's not to say that I'm looking at it through rose tinted glasses, I know it can be tough, but generally speaking, for me, it's the way forward.

Will it be tomorrow? No. I would guess that I am still two to three years away, but the journey has to start somewhere. I have to find and build (or at least finish it off) my boat, adjust my working environment and above all - finance the project (I will accept donations).

Well, I had better start writing....

I will hazard a guess and say that if you are reading this blog, in it's early stages, then you must be very keen on narrowboats or canals or me to have found it.

But in the spirit of being open and honest, I should start with and introduction that clearly states that I do not own a narrowboat called MyraMyra. Let me explain!

I'm starting this blog from an early stage in joining the guys and gals on the cut (see, I'm learning the lingo already), mainly for my own benefit, so that I can make a record of what I do, who I am and where I'm going, and most importantly of all, how I achieve it. I'm going to build a narrowboat and it's going to be called MyraMyra.