Now that the dreaded quarantine is finally over (and the partying) I have embarked on my fourth season cruising the inland waterways of England and Wales. It feels so good to be cruising again, to be free to travel left or right, wherever the canal points. I have chosen to stay on the Llangollen Canal, it’s familiar and truly my favourite part of the system so far.

I’ve been travelling for a few hours each morning, then mooring in a choice spot and staying for a couple of days. It’s very relaxed not having a planned route or destination, I’m loving it. I’m pretty sure that I’ll eventually make it to the upper end of the canal (at the town of Llangollen) but there’s no rush.

I’ve been getting some exercise, running along the towpath. I’m not much for running but it’s my best option right now to get ready for skiing. And at my age, I’d better be ready! I’ve also been working on making my new guitar sound less like a screaming Banshee. Now it sounds more like an annoying baby that needs changing. But it’ll come. I can almost feel the end of my fingers again, the callouses are coming along nicely.

I’m also very happy with the piano installation. It’s well out of the way, it sounds terrific (the tone, NOT the tunes), and has been a big help with learning the guitar. Running scales is easier with a known reference if that makes sense. Once my fingertips are fully recovered it’ll be easier to play… Lol

I’ve had some amazing and idyllic mooring locations, even though the canal has been very busy with so many people are doing the ‘staycation’ thing. But it’s not been a problem, they tend to be moving all day so my choice of moorage is wide open early on.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I even managed my first Sunday Roast of the trip. The pub was about 30 minutes walk away but well worth it. Amazing food, such a treat. The stuffed portabello was incredible.

I managed to reach Ellesmere, my first ‘goal’. It’s a great little canal town, with lots of amenities. I’ve been here in the past, in fact, some might remember the horrific night I had here two years ago. I’ve had that on my mind almost constantly, having to walk past the spot every time I leave the boat. A rather strange coincidence happened when I arrived…I was sitting in the evening and thinking about it so I walked down to where it happened. At that precise moment, I got a text that I had received the commendation from the Royal Humane Society in the mail. As I was standing thinking about what happened. Almost got shivers…if I believed in stuff like that.

Otherwise in Ellesmere…

• 

• 

• 

• 

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time back here on the boat and just pottering along at my own pace. I’ve said it numerous times, it’s a wonderful and relaxing life, full of freedom. I miss lots of things (and people) back home, but that just makes them all the more precious.

I’m free again. That was the fifth ‘official’ quarantine I’ve done since the madness started. I’m not complaining, they’ve been mostly due to travel which is completely elective on my part. It’s a small price to pay in order to live the life I’ve tried to make for myself.

Life in the marina was relaxed and pleasant. It was actually a good transition from home to boat since I had power and water (and deliveries) right at hand. Now that I’m out on the cut it’s back to water rationing, planning shopping forays, and monitoring the solar/battery situation constantly. It’s not been as sunny as the panels would like, but the batteries (and hot water supply) should be fine if I move the boat every couple of days.

There is a woodland area near the marina with some trails through it. It has a very ‘old-world’ feel to it, like someone on horseback is about to trot by or a horse-cart loaded with hay is around the next bend. There are also some of the largest oak trees I’ve ever seen. And a lot of holly bushes, but I’ve no idea if they’re wild or not. They make going off the trail a bit dangerous!

The area around here is very beautiful, so rural and tranquil. However, as with much of Britain, the roads are narrow and the cars go fast. Most of the roads have been here for hundreds of years, from back when horses were the fastest mode of transport. The hedgerows often come right to the road’s edge as well, so it’s not great for walking. I’m getting better at looking in the right direction for oncoming traffic though, that has taken a bit. The neighbours are all very friendly and there’s the occasional stand selling produce. The local eggs are delicious.

As the quarantine came to an end I had a great (mostly socially-distanced) visit from Wendy, her daughter Kate, and granddaughter Emily. What a wonderful family! I’m planning on cruising up toward Chester in September so it’ll be closer for them to visit, hopefully I’ll get to see more of the family…

If you need further proof that life is returning to normal, I had my first pub visit with Phil and Ang at ‘our local’. So good. So cathartic. So full. And the best mushy peas ever.

• 

• 

• 

I’ve been thinking about an addition to the boat for a while, and have finally managed to get it done. Thanks to help from Mick (my go-to guy for everything narrowboat), it’s mounted! Before anyone asks, no, I don’t play (much), I’m trying to resurrect my Royal Conservatory skills from a distant youth. The guitar is totally new but I’m starting to figure it out. I had one lesson before leaving the marina, from Steve off a boat several slips away. He’s a professional musician, check out his band, Nearly Dan (a Steely Dan cover band). they’re great!

• 

• 

On the last night at the marina, they hosted a BBQ for all the moorers. It was a great night, felt good to be doing something like that again after all the restrictions and lockdowns over here. Great turnout, lots of fun…

Returning to the boat and the canals has been a great reminder of what the world used to be like and will be again. We will all have stories for our grandkids about what these last many months have been like and the inconveniences we’ve experienced. Of course, our parents and grandparents would laugh at us, comparing these little things to what the war(s) or the Depression were like. It’s been bad, but not <that> bad (not forgetting of course the many people we’ve lost and the sacrifices so many have had to make). It’s not over yet, but the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. And my headlight is on and the throttle is pinned.

Okay, so I’m finally away. There have been several delays again this year, partly my choices and partly WestJet. The situation in the UK (covid-wise) wasn’t looking like it was heading in the right direction which gave me pause. However, the main reason for the delay was the weather; both on the Island and in Britain. It has been an amazing summer in BC (often much too hot) and I had almost forgotten how beautiful and fun it could be.

I did some 4x4ing around the Mt. Washington area and found some waterfalls and other interesting and wonderful spots.

I swam in the ocean for the first time in a surprising number of years, had a wonderful weekend boating with Steve and Adrienne, went skinny-dipping in a cold mountain stream, and had some great mountain bike rides with old friends. Back when I still ‘worked’ I was often away at sea during the summer or had other obligations and had stopped doing things like that. It was really fun to rediscover what had been a big part of my life years ago.

A couple of highlights of staying later were the class reunion that Don and Lance put together and Abigail’s graduation! It was really a blast seeing some old friends after many (many many) years and catching up at the reunion and I was so proud and honoured to be able to join Abi and her family for such a momentous occasion.

In addition to all that, the weather ‘over there’ was rather strange. As usual, I missed the lovely spring in April, and they were then hit with alternating heat waves and torrential rains.

Put all that together and I just kept putting it off. It’s now early August and I feel good that this is the right time… I don’t plan on staying longer than a couple of months, just enough to give the boat a workout, see some good friends, and rekindle the romance of the canals. I’ll likely stay in the Llangollen/Chester area as it’s familiar and easy to return to the marina in case of sudden changes in the covid situation (like last year).

Speaking of Covid, here’s my first rant: What the hell is Boris Johnson thinking by allowing (fully-vaxxed) Americans in without quarantine but not Canadians? They can even travel through Canada! Is the Queen not on our money? Are we not good enough Commonwealth members? Are our vaccination rates not higher and our case numbers lower than in the US? Maybe we should pitch some tea over the side of a boat… If there’s anything that would convince me to join the ‘to hell with the commonwealth, let’s become a republic’ crowd like Australia, this might be it. Just incensed. Our own government isn’t blameless, they bowed down and accepted it like the subservient suck-ups they often are in international affairs (no matter what party is in power at the time). Rant over (for now).

The flights over were fine, all things considered. However, you’d think with all my years working in government that I’d be better at sleeping sitting upright. Just can’t do it. The food on board has improved marginally since last year, at least it wasn’t a cold sandwich tossed at you from the aisle. I’m not completely sure what it was though, “chicken” apparently. I managed to get to the lounge in Calgary and had an actual meal before boarding so I didn’t much care about the onboard food anyway. And the wine was adequate.

A couple of days later now and I’m on the boat getting her squared away. She survived the winter admirably, with no significant issues. The solar panels kept the batteries topped up so they’re in great shape. She stayed dry inside, no mildew. The spiders enjoyed themselves but have now (mostly) been evicted. All in all, just fine.

My food delivery got messed up a bit, a day late but I was able to buy farm-fresh eggs and homemade meat pies at the marina office so I’m not starving! Lots of leftover cans and packaged food from last year too.

I sent my Day 2 covid test off, I have another to do on Day 8 (although, if I pay MORE I could get a Day 5 “Test to Release” kit – not sure why I can’t just use the Day 8 one that I have already??) Did I mention there might be more ranting?

That’s it for now. I don’t expect much to happen until I’m out cruising next week. If something does occur that’s blog-worthy, both of you will see it!