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 ...

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Great Aunty Sandra

We had a very chilled day on Friday - Barry did some engine maintenance and generally messed about doing his boys stuff, while I busied myself doing girlie things like sprucing up the boat and baking some savoury muffins for our lunch guests.  I'm constantly amazed at how much I enjoy the fact that we very much take on complimentary gender roles whilst living on the boat - my previous ardent feminism becomes rather unimportant nowadays, it must be due to meeting the 'right' man to share my life with!

Vicki, Phil and Ria-May came to Northern Pride just after 1pm and we had a most enjoyable few hours with them.  Ria-May was in awe of the ducks and passing boats, shrieking with joy as we fed the mallards and their offspring handfuls of duck food. 

We had a short cruise to another mooring spot just past the Crown pub in Handsacre and Barry took the opportunity to take a few stunning pictures of me and my family ...

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Pretty as a picture - Ria-May, Vicki and Phil

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Vicki and Ria - May                                                   Ria-May inspects Great Aunty Sandra's teeth

We were surprised and delighted to receive a comment on Wednesday's blog from the marketing department at Shugborough Hall who've asked if they can use some of Barry's 'stunning' shots for their web-site - how could we refuse?  Rather incredible that Lord Lichfield resided there and yet they want Barry's photos - that's praise indeed of his extraordinary talents I feel!

In the evening we walked the short distance to Vicki and Phil's house for a delicious BBQ, where we also met up with Mathew, my nephew, and later on Becky and Lee, my niece and her partner - unfortunately, despite Barry taking his camera, we all forgot to take any further photos!

This morning we were thrilled to see Captain Ahab's Watery Tales recounting their day out with us last Sunday - what a flattering post, thanks Andy!  It was indeed a very special day and we hope to catch up with you all again during the coming months.

Today, Saturday, we've travelled along to Fradley Junction and we're very pleased to say that the sun has been shining most of the morning - the only drawback is that Sandra's hayfever has suddenly emerged with a vengeance :-(

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