By their very nature, boaters are supposed to minimise the impact on the environment but given the current state of 'global warming' around here today on the Lancaster Canal I'm not sure we need to bother anymore....
With a pinch and a punch its the first day of June but you wouldn't think it as the ropes are checked and tightened up to secure the boat to the mooring as the gusting wind buffets the bow and the rain splashes across the windows and bounces like walnuts on the roof!
Looking out, the poor wet lambs are almost getting blown over as they try to learn to graze the longer grass with their mums. A redundant BBQ has become sadly waterlogged and waves rip along the surface of the cut. An empty gas bottle remains empty on the mooring as the cowslips bend and Andromeda gently rolls in the wind and in turn causes the wind chime to gently 'clang' inside the galley. The fire inside remains lit, along with a scented candle and this mingled with the aromas of a roasting chicken in the oven, creates all the cosy ness required to sit out the stormy weather.
Last weekend at Crick boat show the weather had been rather better and a few new inspired purchases were made during the weekend and a few more ideas in luxury design and craftsmanship were stolen. Always a great source of inspiration, from huge 60ft long and 12ft wide, ridiculously priced, wide beams with utility rooms and satellite navigation to tiny day boats with barely room for a collapsible kettle. Stalls and shops displayed completely laughable and horrendously awkward composting toilets and every single piece of chandlery imaginable, all at yesterday's prices with an additional 10% off...no doubt.....great browsing fun for all the family!
No 'chucklings' or fishing folk are about when it's like this, nor any holiday hire boaters as they would find these 'challenging conditions' too much with often more boat than ability.....oh, hang on, at 20:36 some complete 'twonk' has just sailed passed dressed admirably in an inappropriate papier mâché anorak, soaking skinny jeans and new white soggy trainers....you have to feel sorry for them, don't you......!!
....Suddenly, a leafy branch gets ripped by the wind and snaps from the old oak tree above and clatters on to the steel roof with a loud thud, thankfully missing the solar panel!...it's getting wilder and wilder!
Returning inside from the wet stormy carnage some 'nob' at the end of the news is saying it's going to be a sunny 25C tomorrow.......yeah right......just need to last the night out then, eh ?....Michael Fish!
Who would be a boater?(sarcasm!)
This latest post blog title was inspired today by the storm and "the gales of life and laughter"'... a lyric from a great little tune by John Bramwell, AKA ...I Am Kloot, from the album 'Let It All In'.
