By the seaside.

We went to the seaside.




































And we stayed at Lizzie's house. Lizzie's house is amazing. It is full of all the most perfect things.

Introducing Johnny Voodoo AKA Bones.

Well, isn't this a treat! Steve and I have been wondering for a while whether Vortex would be happier with a feline companion to chase around the boat. And I had a little hankering for a spotted Bengal too. Would you believe it! A friend was looking for a new home for one of her lovely spotted Bengals and she lives up the road! So Johnny Voodoo arrived this morning and is scoping the joint out, deciding whether we are worthy of His Highness. And Vortex will be consulted of course. We are introducing them slowly, as is the courtesy in the Felinedom. I do hope that they get on. I think they would be the best play mates. I mean, just look at that face!

(He looks much more like a bob-cat than Vortex's Sphynx-ish features).

An action packed weekend.

On Friday, members of LRG roadtripped up to Birmingham to watch Team Canada take on Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames. Canada rocked and are my new heroes. Especially Dolly Desctructo. EVERYONE loves Dolly Destructo. There is nothing quite like watching roller derby with all your rollerderby friends. We were hollering, screeching, whooping, bouncing, and laughing. It was the best.


We roadtripped back (again with the laughing!), and after a few meagre hours of sleep, Steve and I drove up to Donington Park for a day at the Download festival.



Now, I've never been to a proper festival before (sorry, Greenbelt doesn't count). It was so much fun! My fave bands that played were Skindred, Biffy Clyro, Ash and the awesome awesome Offspring.

We were lucky enough to have guest passes which allowed us access to the most fabulous tented area.

A quick powernap on the beanbags and some rockstar spotting was just what we needed halfway through the day. We ate until we felt sick, we cheered until we went hoarse. We rocked until we could rock no more.

out for a paddle

It's amazing being out in the little pedalo. Me 'n' mum went out in it and let it drift for a while. Suddenly, all the wildlife pops out from hiding places and busies itself.
We even saw huge fish squirming in the shallows.
And two male swans dancing for a female.

Yesterday, me 'n' mum went for a walk by the river. I think we did about 10 miles. It was beautiful!

A time of Growth.

The garden has sprung into life. This weekend I picked enough rocket, lettuce and radishes to do us for tea. Even the potatoes I planted a couple of weeks ago have sent up leaves. It's amazing to watch the fruits of your labour grow.





Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was when I lifted the lid on my mushroom growing kit that I had stored in the engine room. I had given up hope on it sprouting anything. Now I've decided that mushrooms are like pots, they don't grow when you're watching too closely.






This afternoon we took the Pedalo (that we have now called 'Monster') into the lake. It was so peaceful to gently float around, so close to the water, so close to the wildlife. I saw a cormorant drying his wings; a pair of kingfishers swooping and diving; a heron gliding and calling; a swan coming up to us to show his swimming skills; a grebe submerging; a coot clattering; geese honking. We got up close the the big disused Lighters and crane barges, and then we alighted onto a little island for a bit of foraging. ( I found a little movable step that'll live on the front deck and a plant pot). I got stung by nettles and tired arms from all the effort, but it made us feel like the luckiest people in the whole world.

Storm

There was an awesome storm this evening. Thunder, lightening, hail, rain, rainbows. It was beautiful.

A family visit.

Steve's Ma and Pa and brother came to visit this week. We spent a lot of time in gardens. Wisley and also Windsor Great Park.















The weather was glorious and we even took the neighbour's little rowing boat out for a spin around the lake.

A visiting friend

Last week Lizzie came to visit. Lizzie is the nicest person in the WHOLE WORLD. I'm not being hyperbolic there, she really and truly is. She makes us appreciate what we've got. To sit and enjoy it a while- rather than bustling with the endless tasks. We had lunch on the deck.



Vortex languished in the sun in the wheelhouse. We watched the birds. The Grebes with their mating dance and catching fish.

Hoisting the flag

The flag I made for Team Pink last weekend has found a new home.


Whilst things have been scary, overwhelming, frustrating and hard work since owning the boat, today it all felt worth it. I perched in the wheelhouse with a cupcake, drawing as the sun streamed in, with a friendly cat by my side.


I also forgot to take anything to read on my commute to the BBC yesterday. So I looked out of the window. And you know what? It was captivating! The most beautiful scenery gliding by. And to think I was going to settle with a book!

A photo from New Zealand.

When we were in New Zealand, Steve had to take some photos for backgrounds to his shoots.

Dad drove us to an amazing beach coming up to sunset. The air was dense with suspended water droplets, giving it an unusual atmosphere. Clouds were thick and heavy, and a lonely lifeguard station stood surrounded by mist. I took this photo.

And the marina is frozen!

The view from one of the portholes this morning was amazing. Frozen water all around.

We've been up to so much, but still haven't got the internet anywhere other than the wheelhouse so blogging has been sporadic.

The middle bedroom is now a cosy, warm library. (with freshly painted walls). We are still crowded with boxes, but the wardrobe is going up today, so we can hang some clothes.
We had a delivery of logs for the Captain's Cabin stove. They are all a touch big so we are going to have to chop them down to size.

We found fm radio thingy bobs and a million other useful things in the engine room, so Steve and I can now communicate anywhere in the boat. And we can drill big holes, and grind off rust.

I'll get round to showing you the rest of the New Zealand pics, I hope. When we have a spare few minutes. And the pics from the trip up the Thames. There were some amazing sights.

But for now, my fingers have frozen and there's a cupcake calling my name.

A story in many parts.

And the light poured in.

A day as gorgeous as today.

After so many days of 'going in to work', I have a day of luxury today. A day to sort things out. Go for a wander in the sun. Write a list. Think some thoughts. Do some chores. Give Vortex some much needed attention.
The weather couldn't be more beautiful today. Refreshingly cool, still air, with glorious autumn sunshine to warm the back of your head. And long shadows everywhere, don't forget the long shadows.

And the moon was out, and the sky was inky blue.

Holgafied

Steve took these photos with his Holga camera that he picked up in New York earlier this year. I adore the quality of the pictures. The other-worldness of them. A feeling of time passing.

Oh, the sky.