Narrowboat AREandARE

From the 2009 & 2010 tantalising tales, traumas and stunning photographs of Barry (photographer) and Sandra (writer) from New Zealand aboard NB 'Northern Pride', to the stories of their 2013 return journey, purchase of 'AREandARE', progress on sustaining their live aboard continuous cruiser lifestyle, and Barry's quest to gain residency and 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' in UK ...

Thursday 24 September 2009

One, Two miss a few = Thursday

Having had three full days 'on land', I'm beginning to feel like I can go out in 'normal' society once more without looking like a mad boat-woman!  It's not a problem when you're only socialising with fellow boaters (because we all have similar challenges!), but on my wedding day I'd like to feel like a queen not a wicked step-mother!  I shall become one to Barry's children Jamie and Tom, hopefully there'll be no wickedness ...

P1150393

Don & Irene, Sandra's mum & dad at lunch at The Dog & Doublet

P1150434  P1150399 P1150405  P1150419 P1150440

A few pictures of the Dog & Doublet

P1150408P1150415  P1150422 and the hay field - 'cause I like it...

P1150427 The next lock up from the pub

Barry has been working hard getting jobs done on the boat bless him - fancy leaving him on the boat alone, what a dreadful first mate I am!  My mate Dave came gave him a helping hand yesterday on the end of a paint brush, and I'm informed they got lots done in between a few beers!

Barry took the boat back to Tamworth to do the painting etc. It's closer to amenities and hardware shops there, and will be able to pick up Jamie from the station tomorrow. He stopped on a quiet section of the canal on the way back to do some grinding work, very thoughtful.

  P1150443 One of the pretty little gardens beside the locks on the way back to Tamworth

P1150449Fazeley Mill 

P1150453 The familiar Fazeley Junction

P1150456 Dave starting a bit of painting - Thanks for your help Dave

P1150462   Nice chilly start to the day with quite a heavy dew

P1150469 A couple of old working boats heading through Glascote Locks

P1150490

The autumn colours getting richer every day


Our English wedding day is likely to be an surreal experience; we're having a Humanist ceremony (http://www.humanism.org.uk/ceremonies/humanist-weddings) which will be unique and personal to us as well as humorous (how could it be anything but with Barry partaking?!), and the sun's showing promises of shining down on us as we stand on the roof of Northern Pride for the ceremony.  Our guests will be an array of family and friends from across the country; we're so looking forward to the madness and merriment that we'll all be experiencing together.

We'll be back on the boat together on Monday, my 50th birthday, for our final few days and to safely moor up, before returning 'home' to Gisborne, New Zealand.

2 comments:

  1. The Dog and Doublet is my regular launch pad for a trip into the BCN from the east. Great venue for your wedding. Best wishes for the day.
    Andy

    ReplyDelete
  2. All the best for your wedding and 50th.
    Have a safe trip back to the Land of the Long White Cloud.
    Paul and Elaine

    ReplyDelete