Christmas is coming!!!

We're picking up our daughter today, she has been with my Mother since finishing Uni for the hols, but I know she just wants to come home. I also know that she is worried about what home is these days. I'm afraid life on the boat won't be as easy or as 'flick of a switch' as living with Grandma, but hopefully she will settle into it. I have put some Christmas dec's up and acquired a very small artificial tree, just so it looks a little more seasonal. The thing is, that until we get to Ely we will still be relying on our power from the generator, so all day telly will be a dim and distance memory.
I am hoping that she will be with us for the last bit of the trip until we get home to Ely. John's not too sure about having her on board while we go through Denver. Its nice that he's so worried about her safety, never mind the galley slave - I'll be alright, seen it, done it and got the video and T-shirt!!!!
We are starting to prepare for Monday, checking diesel, oil, water etc. I'm going to get some extra provisions in today, as when we get to Ely everywhere will be shut for Christmas.
We phoned ahead to the marina and we are going to have to pick a key up today, they're closing for the hols as well. Looks like its going to be a very quite time and to be honest that's what we want after what we have had to go through.
All I want for Christmas is a safe mooring with electric and water. Its funny that our needs and wants are so much more simple than when we lived in a house. Then I would perhaps of wanted some fancy electrical gadget for the kitchen or maybe toiletries to fill up the shelves in the bathroom unnecessarily, things I would never use, they would just sit there filling space and gathering dust. Now it's a case of - I just don't need it anymore, I manage with what I've got. You can only wear one set of clothes at a time and when you have only got very limited storage you just can't have everything. Before we moved onto the boat, we got rid of so much stuff. Years and years of rubbish which we had just collected and stored. We were paying a mortgage just so we could store our crap. Now I know that every item on the boat is there because it needs to be and if we don't use it then it has to go. My Mum must be so proud of me, she has wanted me to have a good clear out for years.
I have a good feeling about the last part of our journey, it has been a long and hard one. At times I wasn't sure if I could physically or even mentally cope, but I have and I think it has made me a better person. I have seen how it has effected my husband and I am so proud of him for holding it all together. There were times he could have just cracked and walked away from it, but he didn't. As for our relationship as husband and wife, we are stronger now than we have ever been. We work well as a team and although there have been times that have caused us to be a little prickly towards each other, I know John is my rock and would never let any harm come to me. I trust him with my life and my home.
I think I will finish my blog at this point or at least until after Christmas and say - Yes I am happy!. Happier than I have been for a long time. Thank you John for my wonderful new home and my wonderful new life.

Becoming a home - 11/11

On Monday evening, even though we had to walk across two fields, manage the logistics of two dogs, food and water over and through two sets of gates, taking into account the ankle-depth mud - we did make it HOME!!! at the end of the day.
The boat was comparatively warm and cosy and I soon got into the swing of getting the tea on, even though I had to peel potatoes and wash up in about 1" of water. John got the generator on and we were soon watching a bit of telly while the dinner was cooking. Due to the pressures of the day, John forced himself to indulge in a beer and I had the obligatory glass of red wine. I actually felt really really comfy, warm and well fed. Home comforts make all the difference.
Today, the water flow still seemed fast, but it was clear skys and and an icy start to the day. We got the dogs ready, empty petrol can for the genny and made our way to the van over the cold, wet fields in the semi-light of the early morning. It was quiet at the office and I got into rearranging the filing, John went back to the boat as soon as he was able and tried to sort out the lack of water problem. While he was there the Environment Agency turned up as they were aware that we were stuck and they were a great help. They helped John with the carrying and emptying of 20 litre water containers, its nice to know that they are concerned with our welfare (even remembered that we were there). They told John that although the water levels are going down, it will be a few more days yet. That leaves it a bit of a close call to get through the rest of the locks before they are all closed for the winter. We are reliant on so many influences in order to get to our permanent mooring, so maybe for the time being, home is where the boat is!

Hurray - it works 27/11/07

The house is clear, just borrowed the washing machine for one last wash. The keys are being handed back on Thursday and then the last ties are cut to the 'normal' world. Got home in the dark again, its a long drive to where the boat is but it is so worth it when you get HOME. John finally managed to ensure all the connections to the ranges fuel pump are secure and 'Oh my god - heat at last'. It is finally feeling like our home and not some mad adventure that we have embarked on.
We celebrated with a stella, glass of wine (can't remember - was so happy). I managed to cook my husband a meal while we were listening to the radio and later on watched a DVD. We had brought a few more things out of storage and are getting very skilled in finding places to put things - also getting rid of things that aren't really needed.
It was so lovely sitting in our new home, well fed and well watered, the dogs sleeping like contented children - this has definitely got to be the life. Can't wait for the weekend, Mum is going home and it will just be to two of us. (not that I'm pleased to see her go, but we need to manage without her).
Still can't get away from Northampton until Wednesday next due to the lock being closed - but who cares - what's the rush!!!!!