Well, I've got it! A beautiful 50ft narrowboat. I don't know how to drive it or how any of the appliances work, I don't even know the bow from the stern, but I've slept on it, on the worst possible night imaginable! 

Torrential rain hammered down the whole time we were on it. Two soggy dogs and an irate husband who kept muttering, 'I'm going home' did nothing to diminish my enthusiasm, even when the lights went out!
I hung on in there and even cooked a meal, [well, warmed some food in a pan] by candlelight. Then the water ran out, [the pump was powered by the same battery as the lights.]

While John went in search of a Tesco's to buy anything operated by batteries, two friends joined me, braving the weather, to christen the boat they could hardly admire in the dark. A few glasses of wine and a hell of a lot of laughing took care of the next hour, until John arrived back, his miners lamp dazzling us  as he entered the boat. He came armed with supplies, a wind up radio, two lamps with the wrong batteries and four torches, with enough batteries for two. Oh yes, and a chess set, but it was too dark to play!

A while later, our friends departed with our torches, [the canal was pitch black] and we began the task of sorting sleeping arrangements. John got the pull down comfy bed and I got the foam thing on the floor, which I had to share with two wet, very smelly dogs. Talking of the dogs, it wasn't easy getting them on and off the boat, especially in the dark. Carrying a three stone dog under your arm, as you step off the boat onto the towpath in the dark and pouring rain was a story in itself! 

Anyway, today, the boys came to assess the jobs that need doing.[ there's a hell of a lot needs to be sorted]  It also needs a survey, a licence and god knows what else. The best thing was being able to start painting some artwork on the outside. Now I've started, I'll have to finish! I can't wait to go sailing on it, but one thing at a time!

I've just had a phone call from a friend, there may be a field for sale, with a mooring [we haven't got one yet, but are first on the waiting list, again, a story in itself, you need a letter from god...or be good at line dancing.]

Just back from a week in the lakes. Endless rain, stiff walks and breathtaking views! I also have the most fantastic pictues of six live badgers.........I've never ever seem one before, except dead on a road.