Autumn Fruits

I am finally back posting again, after a long work stint overseas and a busy summer.

I had meant to post as soon as I arrived back in the UK in July, but have spent the summer mulling over whether to continue with this Blog.

I have found myself repeating myself and started to wonder how useful the Blog is to prospective boaters. I had thought that I had run out of relevant information to offer, but actually I dont think that is the case. In addition I have had some postive comments from readers, who like my photos of our area and the canal.

I realise that it can be disruptive with me going away to work for at least 4 months of the year, but I still seem to get a regular flow of readers, so I'm going to press on for now.

A brief update on the Marina front finds us in a much better postion with our Council Tax, which has now been amalgamated into our Marina fees. We have had a refund of our monthly payments from the Council and have been de-listed as individual residences. As far as we know, we should now be paying a composite fee with the other residents, but as yet the terms and conditions of this have not been worked out. Negotiations are going on between the valuation office nationally and our marina provider who have a number of sites across the UK. So far, it appears that in return for a composite rate, we will be required to move berths several times a year, to demonstrate that we are not a static residency. I will keep this updated, as it potentially affects 'liveaboards' across the entire country in the future.

On a lighter note, we have had a wonderful summer. Our marina is now full and everybody, residents and leisure boaters alike, is absolutely lovely. We have a great cross section of like minded and decent people and so it is a very happy place to live! Everyone looks out for each other, while at the same time respecting privacy. It is a perfect combination!

We have spent some time cruising up and down the canal and have had one or two nights of peaceful bliss, spent out moored up on the towpath in the middle of nowhere.


Here are some pictures of our favourite mooring spot:

The plank was needed as it was shallow here

Autum colours reflect on the canal

Sunset over the fields

Sunset reflecting on the water

 And some pictures of the canal while we were on the move:

I have also had some lovely walks along the canal recently, I love the open countryside where we live:

The spire of an old country church which is attached to one of the many old stately homes around here.

View along the canal from under one of the many bridges

Resident cat on a moored boat

Apart from that, our allotment has been very productive this year so I have spent some time pickling cabbage and beetroot. The autumn fruits have been late, but I have made Sloe Gin, Plum Brandy and Blackcurrant Rum. The blackberries are not ready yet, but I hope to pick some before I go away and make Blackberry Whisky.

I was walking down the jetty the other day when I noticed these:

I realised that we have a very healthy hop bush growing here. Quite how they got here I don't know, but I harvested enough to make quite a few pints of beer!

Unfortunately, I won't have time to wait for the fermentation process, so I made a couple of hop pillows instead. These are reputed to assist with insomnia, but as I don't have any trouble sleeping, I can't vouch for it!

The marina is looking lovely with the autumn colours and here are some pictures of the scenes I will miss while I am away:

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I travel overseas next week and Phil and I had our usual trip up to the Lake District before I go. Haweswater is our favourite lake and the weather was kind to us, despite a forecast of rain:

Our favourite Tarn halfway up the fell side

The beck tumbles down the hillside. The Reservoir at the bottom is very low in water though.

I shall be back just before Christmas and will then decide whether to continue to post on a regular basis again, or to finish blogging.

Al :)