I cannot believe we’ve already been on board for 3 months!  How quickly has that passed!

As a human being I reserve the right to change my mind and am doing so in respect of my curtain maker.  I appreciate that I said no mention or links were appropriate due to the service I’d received but on her return visit to hang the final windows she surprised me with some cushions free of charge for being so patient.

Whilst I penultimately reserve the right to review service I’ve received, in a fair and honest way, I ultimately reserve the right to change my mind.

Her work is of a very high standard.  The late arrival of my order was down to a lack of staff due to illness.  Above all that she was a very pleasant lady and I liked her.  My free cushions weren’t just thrown together, they were beautiful and with feather pads no less!

You’ve redeemed yourself Bay Tree Interiors :)

If I used this company again I’d be sure to draw up a contractual  time-scale with caveats if not adhered to.  However, I’m small fry, a single patron.  And bottom line is that I’m more than happy with my provision.

I’ve made friends in the Marina and am pleased.  Everyone I’ve met so far has been lovely, helpful and sincere.  My fire-making is unquestionably conquered!   Tonight I’m sat here in my knickers with the bow doors open and two windows wide open too.  Not having a heat control knob is the only irritation.  Something one can live with.

I know next year what fuel I’ll be burning though, and it wont be COAL!  Honestly!  What a mess.  Black dust everywhere!  I shall be converting to wood briquettes :)

I’ve sourced a Northern supplier and will buy in bulk to gain the best price.  I may well gather others to see if they want in to reduce our costs.  After all, wood is the new coal!  Long, clean and greener burning.

Apart from Phylis still trying to rattle my cage everything is peachy.  Whatever it is that’s making her angry she needs to get it sorted; it’s eating her up!

Until the next time, rock gently, speak honestly and above all, be happy :)

5th day on board and it was certainly crisp.  There was ice pooled on the top of the cratch cover that we’ve been leaving open as it’s easier to get in and out without fussing with the flaps LOL.

So, gone are my hopes of lay-in’s as I still wake up at 6am.  Hurriedly popped on my fluffy wrap and skipped to the front of the boat to undertake the fire-starter task.  On with instant light-the-bag log haha.  Instant fire, warmed up and roaring by the time I woke Lottie up for school.  A steamy hot shower and a massive cup of tea later we were hitting the road.

I welcomed my first visitor today who came laden with Moet YIPEEE… Thanks Kev, much appreciated and I’m enjoying it right now. We took lunch at the Beef and Barge before coming back to the boat for coffee and a chat.

I welcomed my boat builder Bryan at around 10am so he could finish Lottie’s bedroom door.  It looks amazing and Lottie was bowled over upon her return from school. She insisted that I included a photo of her privacy shield so I have. Not that I needed much coercion as you know :D

However, before coming back to the boat, we stopped of in Bradford on Avon Town to have a ramble and especially to pay a visit to Baytree Interiors for new curtains.  The Proprietor will visit us early January to measure up; the fabric we’ve chosen is gorgeous!  I’ll show you when they’re done!

The Town itself is so pretty.  Tightly packed narrow streets with barely room for single file pedestrians.  Quaint shops selling everything from antiques to cheap shite.

The bridge over the River Avon is stunning… an excellent example of period stone-masonry.

Our last stop was at The Bridge tea-ro0ms.  Another stunning example of (Jacobean?) architecture that’s nearly 400 years old.  Young school girls in period costumes served us in a quiet and conservative manner.  At least my bag looked good to all the snobby patrons who were sipping Earl Gray when we arrived in our shabby jeans :D

I’m not working at the moment but I’m amazed at just how quickly my days are passing!  Spend most of the day poking the fire… more so for the novelty of being able to make fire to keep us warm LOL :D

So, there you have it.  Another tale from the Towpath Townies :)