Winter on board Double0

 We hadn’t quite planned for this one. When our friends asked us how we were going to get on in the winter and what we would do, our plan was ….we’ll see what happens.

So we arrived at the end of November at Droitwich Marina, through the snow, and very grateful for electricity and gorgeous facilities.

We knew we would survive Christmas because it was our first English Christmas in 20 years, and we booked an apartment in Worcester so that my brother could come and stay. So that was easy.

Then the weather started to close in a bit more. A lot of ice and snow. It’s surprising how living below the water level makes the floor very cold, and we both had to buy new snug slippers.

Droitwich is a pleasant town
with a lot of history. And we are walking distance along the canal to Waitrose and Morrisons Supermarket, as well as some good coffee.

But nothing can prepare you for the cold in England. It’s a five minute walk to the facilities block which we try to use as much as possible. We rarely use the shower, despite the heated floor, as our own is much more convenient, but we have to use the washing machine in the facilities block. This involves rugging up in every coat and jumper you can find, and covering your whole face so it’s not breathing in an icy fog on the way to the laundry. Once you get in there, it’s so warm it’s a treat.

The boat is beautiful, but for all that it is a confined space. I have managed to squeeze in my digital Piano which has helped no end, and I have knitted two jumpers and a cardigan for my nieces daughter. Andy hasn’t been canoeing as the river has been in flood, and often parts of the canal are frozen!

 So it has been a challenge. We are buying a house in the countryside in Herefordshire  which we are very much looking forward to. Meanwhile there are hiccups with the land registry and they don’t care where you’re living in the meantime so we’re having to sit it out and it’s already February.

To make the time go quicker through January I booked us an Airbnb in Devon via Bristol which made for a very nice break. We walked on Dartmoor and explored the local countryside. All the castles etc. we’re closed because it was midwinter, but the place we rented was super warm,  and it was a lovely break.

When we got back, we found that everything had frozen. We had planned for this by winterising the boat, emptying all the water tanks, leaving the taps on and open, and even leaving a slow wattage heater on board to keep things above freezing. But this heater drained all off electricity that we pay as you go.! This meant that it switched over to battery, and our House battery was very low, with no sunshine assisting the solar to boost it. So we may be up for buying a whole new bank of batteries before we go cruising again. 

But the boat was fine. The water in the hose was frozen so it took awhile to thaw it out out so that we could refill the boat with water. Imagine this. Each time we have been away we have had to winterise the boat, and then come back to de winterise it. Even the Olive oil was frozen in the bottle. The honey was beyond beyond. 

We have certainly got to learn our lovely Double 0 intimately and look after her carefully.

 So now back on the boat…

But no…

Two friends from Bermagui have shown up and happen to be living in the Herefordshire countryside! And they would like us to dog sit. !!  What a turn up this is. David Francis and Paul Wragg from Four Winds and now doing “Three Choirs” have asked us to take care of Dexter and Bailey for 10 days while they fly back to Australia  to become citizens!

What a wonderful world!

 

 

A beautiful, warm, 16th century cottage in the country with an Aga below the bedroom to keep us all warm. What a treat! .. these are the most divine dogs you could be ever asked to look after.

It’s all up to the Land Registry now. 

We will move into this lovely home, and Double 0 will be our holiday home, based from Droitwich. Meanwhile, we are comfortable and content, afloat on our boat.