It's a hard life,but lovin' it.

Well I know it's been a while,but it's not everyday I can get a strong enough signal to get online. I'm still on board Caberfeidh and loving every minute of it. Theres no two days the same,and I can't wait to get up in the mornings to face my next challenge.
The multi-fuel fire is being installed as I write, (thank the gods) I've survived some really cold nights,which only aggravate the extreme pains I get in my right shoulder & arm, and I have cursed my stupidity several times for not having the fire installed before moving aboard. I've had several letters/emails of support from the boating community as well as some who disagreed with my choice of moving on-board without Brenda ! well the news is :- that SWMBO has joined me over the last two weeks,and even if I say so myself she seems to be enjoying the experience so far, but I won't get too used to her being here, as she has stated  that she's only giving it a try, progress I suppose ?.
I'm still moored up, though I'm hoping to head up the Shroppie in 2 weeks, from there ? well, whatever takes my fancy I suppose..with regular updates I promise.

Onboard and loving it.

Well, it has taken a while, and some long sleepless nights, weighing up all the Pro's & Cons, but I have now made the life changing move and am now living aboard 'Caberfeidh'.
Yes, just over 2 weeks ago now, on my return from our winter holiday, I packed all my winter woolies and boating bits & pieces that I'd collected over the past few months, and headed down to the boat. Brenda wasn't surprised, as it was all I talked about whilst in the Dominican Republic ( a bribe or a going away present)?,but I think she realised where my heart was.

I arrived at Stoke Prior to what felt like arctic conditions, considering 2 days previous I was basking in +90 degree temperatures, but hey, I'm onboard now. The first night was really cold as I've yet to fit a solid fuel heater, but the thermal underwear and tracksuit saved my bits from dropping off. I had a BSC booked for the 15th Feb so spent time reading the manual and double checking everything to ensure there was no problems on the day. I'm hooked up to 240 volt shore power for now and the Eberspacher & some oil filled radiators are keeping me warm till I arrange supply & fitting of a stove. I'm planning my cruises for the year ahead and happy as a pig in err muck. Will update soon.

Happy New Year,May We All Enjoy a Great Year Cruising.

Well 2010 was a great year for me, not only healthwise, as my operations have been successful, but I managed to buy my narrowboat Caberfeidh. Everything I touched seemed to work in my favour, well, apart from my suggestion that we should Liveaboard.
The boat is looking good, and most of the conversions are nearly done. Not bad, considering the weather we've been having. I'm still working on the wife !, hopefully, she will change her mind, but I know that whatever happens, I will be a permanant fixture on Caberfeidh at the start of this season. I have learned a lot by reading the many great blogs of the canals residents, and some of the fantastic Forums online. The supportive messages from wellwishers have only encouraged me that it is possible for me to go it alone. So as I wave goodbye to 2010, and life on the bank, I will raise a glass and look forward to a new life on the cut. Happy New Year Everyone, may 2011 bring health, wealth, and happiness to all my new friends.

Digging in for a Long Cold War

The bombshells been dropped, and now I'm sittiing among the shrapnel & debris. I've had it all, the tears, the anger, the hurtful slanging match, and now...Listen, hear that ? thats the sound of  'The Silent Treatment'. I'm just glad that we don't have any kids, as I couldn't go through with the ''Tell your father his dinners ready'' etc,etc. A  few things were said in anger, ( I hope), like, ''I just wasted 5 years of my life lookin after you'' and ''I wish I never allowed you to buy stupid boat''. Allowed ? I think she's taking marriage vows too far, Love honour & OBEY.
Oh well, I suppose I know the answer to her joining me on board now, something about Hell freezing over, which shouldn't be too long now, if weather forcast is anything to go by. -{thinks}' Wonder if the dogs wanna share their bed'.
So it's on to planning my life aboard Caberfeidh, I'll have to get on to the forum, as I need a lot of Newbie Liveaboard/Constant cruising questions thats gonna need answering ? Ducks to avoid low flying quilt. Oh, so its the couch for me then I take it. Night night.

The other side of me.

Just in-case you wonder what I do when I'm not working on the boat,in my spare time, I'm a stage hypnotist. it's lots of fun and goes down well at parties. See an example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80j2xrVHc_c  This was me in Las Vegas where I did my training.

The Seven Year Itch ?

I sat here the other night (at home), staring out the window at the snow, it's -16 degrees out there, and my thoughts are with those out there on the cut. How are they coping ?  god, I've so much to learn if I'm to be one of them next year. ''Can you imagine being out there on our boat right now'' I said to Brenda, -'' No bloody chance'' says she, as she turns the thermostat up a few degrees.  Mrmm, not the right time to tell her that that's my intention then, eh ! ?  She has me by the proverbial testiclaires, as they say, as she has had full control of my life and where I go, since my accident. She does all the driving to and fro, has been steering the hireboats whilst I did the locking, ( I have to rest the paralysed right arm after  my last operation, to allow the transplanted muscle & tissue to grow). Damn, that driver, gone are the days when I could just jump on the motorbike, with tent on my back, and disappear for a few days.
We celebrated our 7th anniversary last week, both of us had come out of a previous bad relationships, and been on our own for years. I'd swore blind never to go down that road again, but here I am.  Apart from boats,we always had shared interests, and she was a regular pillion passenger on my trips to the MCC rallies. Don;t get me wrong she likes the boat, once I persuaded her to join me, but sees it as a holiday destination, escape, and not as I do, as a way of life. ''You love that boat more than you love me'' she just said, and I blush, she could be right ! Oh oh, I feel a guilt trip comin on. I almost feel that I'm having an affair, and I've just been caught out.I have already planned the 'new name trip' for next year, the route, places to see, things to do, features like the Pontcysyllte aquaduct,Anderton Boat lift etc just to say 'I've done that'.

So, we need to talk, and as the time draws nearer, I have to decide if I could go it alone, theres plenty out there who've done it, and I'm sure if I get stuck then I could always ask help from the many people I've met out there, and those I've yet to meet. Will she, won't she ? We'll see. Watch this space.

Art Work For Boat

Received word from signwriter that design stage is finished  and work begins next week. Just means a 600 mile round trip to go see finished work. Suppose I have to stay a few nights whilst I'm there eh ?